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In Conversation With Black Eyed Peas' J Rey Soul

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<div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1756293481709black eyed peas j rey soul.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">J. Rey Soul | Photo from <strong>@jreysoul</strong></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>She’s our “FILIPINA QUEEN”! <strong>Jessica Reynoso</strong>, the former <strong><em>Pop Star Kids</em></strong> and<strong> </strong><em><strong>The Voice of the Philippines</strong></em> finalist, now called<strong> J. Rey Soul</strong>, is the new female vocalist in the hip-hop group, 6x Grammy Award-winning <strong>Black Eyed Peas</strong> (BEP).</p><p>J. Rey started collaborating with BEP on their 2018 album <strong><em>MASTERS OF THE SUN VOL. 1</em></strong> followed by <strong><em>TRANSLATION</em></strong> in 2020, and their most recent album <strong><em>ELEVATION</em></strong> in 2022, which includes the song “FILIPINA QUEEN,” proving that BEP, now having two Filipino members, is somehow what we can call a Pinoy hip-hop group.</p><p>She and the BEP boys—<em>The Voice PH</em> coach and her <em>kababayan</em> <strong>apl.de.ap</strong>, <strong>Taboo</strong>, and <strong>will.i.am</strong>—are in the country for a one-night-only performance at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDvZSnaIFt1/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A8002964.6000000015%2C%22ls%22%3A3623.5%2C%22le%22%3A3981.10000000149%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="566" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p><strong>Metro.Style</strong> had an exclusive interview with the 27-year-old Filipino-American singer the night before their homecoming show. Check out the conversation below:</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What does it feel like to be back in the Philippines, and this time for a show with Black Eyed Peas?</strong></div><p>&quot;It feels surreal! It feels like a full circle moment &#x27;cause this is where I got discovered. This is where my journey began when I met apl on <em>The Voice Philippines,</em> and now we&#x27;re back here performing in the Mall of Asia Arena in front of our <em>kababayans</em>.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Can you please take us back to what your life was like back in Laguna?</strong></div><p>&quot;I was just a simple girl growing up in a small town. I was going to school, you know? And I was going to auditions all the time... It was always the same. I was singing, going to school. But now, I&#x27;m like singing on a bigger scale and grander scale. I just never stopped singing and believing in my dreams.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLa40FDI9sZ/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A8059963.6000000015%2C%22ls%22%3A3623.5%2C%22le%22%3A3981.10000000149%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="857" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>How did music play a role in your life growing up?</strong></div><p>&quot;I would say music is my savior. Music is my life. Music is what made me feel special because growing up as a black girl in my neighborhood. I was the only black girl in my neighborhood. I felt odd, but then music and being able to sing made me feel special. <em>Ayon po</em>, music made me feel special. Singing made me feel special, and it made me feel like I belong, somehow, even though I was like different from all my friends.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What do you love most about each of your fellow Black Eyed Peas members, and what have you learned from them?</strong></div><p>&quot;I would say, one, with apl, I love his humility and how proud he is of being a Filipino. I&#x27;m really inspired by that. Second, with will, I love how hardworking he is. I have never met anybody who works as hard as he does, and his working ethic is amazing. With Tab, I love Tab&#x27;s warrior spirit. I love Tab&#x27;s strength and vulnerability. I&#x27;m inspired by that <em>kasi</em> I remember he told me there&#x27;s power in vulnerability. I used to not talk about things that, you know, are emotional, but he&#x27;s like, &#x27;You know, you&#x27;ll never know who you&#x27;re gonna inspire with your story.&#x27;&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-5" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA2KVAKSwGE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A5%2C%22os%22%3A8508514.900000002%2C%22ls%22%3A3623.5%2C%22le%22%3A3981.10000000149%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="566" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-5" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>Which Filipino artist do you want to collaborate with?</strong></div><p>&quot;Currently, I would say either SB19 or BINI.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Which among their songs do you like?</strong></div><p>&quot;I mean, I know apl has collaborated with SB19, and I respect both groups&#x27; work ethics. I&#x27;ve seen their videos and songs and I&#x27;m proud of them and looking forward on seeing their success globally. &#x27;GENTO&#x27; [is so] catchy.&quot; [For BINI], &quot;Salamin.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_ZDIksyRKE/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=810&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A8668391.600000001%2C%22ls%22%3A3623.5%2C%22le%22%3A3981.10000000149%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="856" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong>What are you most proud of as a Filipino?</strong></div><p>&quot;The resiliency. Us, Filipinos, no matter what we go through, like we bounce back and we keep on moving and just smile and face it.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Black Eyed Peas: Live in Manila is presented by Wilbros Live.</em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p><strong><em></em></strong><em></em><em></em>Lead photo from <strong>@jreysoul</strong><em></em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong><br/></p>

<p>J. Rey Soul returned to the Philippines for a show with the Black Eyed Peas. In this exclusive, the g<i>lobal Fil-Am performer talked about what life was like growing up, how her bandmates inspire her, which Filipino artists she wants to collaborate with, and what makes her proudest as a F</i><i></i></p>

J. Rey Soul returned to the Philippines for a show with the Black Eyed Peas. In this exclusive, the g lobal Fil-Am performer talked about what life was like growing up, how her bandmates inspire her, which Filipino artists she wants to collaborate with, and what makes her proudest as a F

J. Rey Soul on Belongingness Through Music and How the Black Eyed Peas Inspires Her

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J. Rey Soul on Belongingness Through Music and How the Black Eyed Peas Inspires Her

Alfred Amado

Published Aug 27, 2025 08:00 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 28, 2025 12:04 PM PHT

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