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Kyla

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Kyla, born Melanie Hernandez Calumpad in 1981, is a Filipino singer, actress and television personality. She began as a child with singing contests, won a talent competition at the age of twelve and at thirteen became a member of the variety show That's Entertainment. In 1997 she came third in Metropop Star Search. Only in 2000, after being turned down by several labels, did she get a contract with EMI Philippines, and her debut album Way to Your Heart was released.

Music and breakthrough

The single Hanggang Ngayon won the MTV Video Music Award for Southeast Asia in 2001. It was followed by Kyla in 2002, on which she began writing herself and on which soul and R&B can be heard, I Will Be There in 2003 with the British boy band Blue, Not Your Ordinary Girl in 2004 and Beautiful Days in 2006. Later came the cover albums Heartfelt and Heart 2 Heart and, in 2010, Private Affair. Her ninth album appeared in 2018 after a new contract with Star Music. Her first seven records all went platinum.

Influence

Kyla is known for her range and her melismatic singing style, in which she stretches a syllable over several notes. In this way she has made R&B and soul popular in the Philippines, and the media call her the country's Queen of R&B. She has also worked as an actress in TV series, presented the talent show Popstar Kids and was a judge on Tawag ng Tanghalan.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Hanggang Ngayon and notice how she changes pitch on some syllables, a hallmark of R&B that stands out strongly in her voice.

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists