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Will Mikhael Dives into His Music and Growth as an Artist
Will Mikhael Dives into His Music and Growth as an Artist
Metro.Style Team
Published Aug 14, 2024 08:10 PM PHT
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Updated Aug 14, 2024 08:13 PM PHT
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Young singer-songwriter Will Mikhael is making a name in the local music scene withhis distinct fusion of R&B and Cebuano influences on his latest single “AkongAddiction.” During his recent stint in Manila, it’s clear that Will isn’t just for taking in the sights but forpulling a string of gigs and recording sessions under his belt. More than a pit stop, hissecond visit to the capital has been met with a playground of new experiences, makingit far more immersive than his first stay.
Young singer-songwriter Will Mikhael is making a name in the local music scene withhis distinct fusion of R&B and Cebuano influences on his latest single “AkongAddiction.” During his recent stint in Manila, it’s clear that Will isn’t just for taking in the sights but forpulling a string of gigs and recording sessions under his belt. More than a pit stop, hissecond visit to the capital has been met with a playground of new experiences, makingit far more immersive than his first stay.
“Well, it’s so much better now ’cause I can understand Tagalog na,” he recalled, reflectingon how this language barrier once stood between him and the cultural pulse of the city.Now, not only does he grasp the language, but he also throws in expressions like “Oonga eh!” and “ganda” with the ease of a native speaker. This slight yet significant shifthas enabled him to connect more profoundly with the locals.
“Well, it’s so much better now ’cause I can understand Tagalog na,” he recalled, reflectingon how this language barrier once stood between him and the cultural pulse of the city.Now, not only does he grasp the language, but he also throws in expressions like “Oonga eh!” and “ganda” with the ease of a native speaker. This slight yet significant shifthas enabled him to connect more profoundly with the locals.
In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, this rising singer delved into his newestsingle, the evolution of his craft, and what’s more in store for him in the future.
In an exclusive interview with Metro.Style, this rising singer delved into his newestsingle, the evolution of his craft, and what’s more in store for him in the future.
Will Mikhael Photo courtesy of Universal Records PH
![Will Mikhael](https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c78dad5b-02ec-4fce-ada5-3ff0bfab8fa4_pr photo will mikhael akong addiction.jpg)
Behind the Song: “Akong Addiction”
When discussing his latest track, Will didn’t hold back: “'Akong Addiction' is a very sexysong, honestly. It’s a very seductive song.” A track that’s as intoxicating as its titlesuggests, he described it as a musical confession draped in the smooth vibes of early2000s R&B.
When discussing his latest track, Will didn’t hold back: “'Akong Addiction' is a very sexysong, honestly. It’s a very seductive song.” A track that’s as intoxicating as its titlesuggests, he described it as a musical confession draped in the smooth vibes of early2000s R&B.
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“My inspiration [for it] comes from the roots of R&B itself, the early 2000s, Usher,Ne-yo. Those are the things that I got from their music. Whenever I listen to their music,they’re very seductive and I wanted to do something like that so that’s when I made“Akong Addiction,” he shared.
“My inspiration [for it] comes from the roots of R&B itself, the early 2000s, Usher,Ne-yo. Those are the things that I got from their music. Whenever I listen to their music,they’re very seductive and I wanted to do something like that so that’s when I made“Akong Addiction,” he shared.
Drawing inspiration from R&B legends like Usher and Ne-yo, he infused the track withhis own unique flavor—a fusion of Bisaya and Tagalog, wrapped in a sultry melody witha twist of conyo (a Filipino term for someone who mixes English and Filipino in theirspeech).
Drawing inspiration from R&B legends like Usher and Ne-yo, he infused the track withhis own unique flavor—a fusion of Bisaya and Tagalog, wrapped in a sultry melody witha twist of conyo (a Filipino term for someone who mixes English and Filipino in theirspeech).
Will wanted to create something that not only paid homage to these influences but alsofelt authentically his own. “So basically, if you read the lyrics, it’s kind of like Bisayatrying to speak Tagalog, medyo like a conyo trying to really deliver the message of thesong which is who I am, so it felt natural for me,” he said.
Will wanted to create something that not only paid homage to these influences but alsofelt authentically his own. “So basically, if you read the lyrics, it’s kind of like Bisayatrying to speak Tagalog, medyo like a conyo trying to really deliver the message of thesong which is who I am, so it felt natural for me,” he said.
![](https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/ee49eeaf-4f0b-4ea1-b46f-91c3e9a68682_bisdak.jpg)
But there’s more to “Akong Addiction” than just its steamy-tinged sound. The lyrics,crafted over the course of a month, were particularly challenging for Will, who aimed tostrike a balance between seduction and natural conversation. He explained, “The lyricswere the hardest to write because I was looking for ways to make it sound natural, likeI’m actually conversing with a woman.”
But there’s more to “Akong Addiction” than just its steamy-tinged sound. The lyrics,crafted over the course of a month, were particularly challenging for Will, who aimed tostrike a balance between seduction and natural conversation. He explained, “The lyricswere the hardest to write because I was looking for ways to make it sound natural, likeI’m actually conversing with a woman.”
After taking a full two months to finish the track, the artist also dipped his hands intovideo production with the visualizer for “Akong Addiction.” Shot in a single take, it featuresWill and his friend Bianca Codilla vibing to the song. “You can just see that I’m holdinga microphone, so it’s like a performance but [at] the same time giving the emotion of thesong. Just me being seductive and you know, thank God that I had a leading lady, Bianca, for that,” he described.
After taking a full two months to finish the track, the artist also dipped his hands intovideo production with the visualizer for “Akong Addiction.” Shot in a single take, it featuresWill and his friend Bianca Codilla vibing to the song. “You can just see that I’m holdinga microphone, so it’s like a performance but [at] the same time giving the emotion of thesong. Just me being seductive and you know, thank God that I had a leading lady, Bianca, for that,” he described.
Through the video, he also showcased his hands-on approach and proved his talentsextend beyond just music. “I edited that video also,” he revealed. “I did all the colorgrading and stuff. It’s a fun shoot.”
Through the video, he also showcased his hands-on approach and proved his talentsextend beyond just music. “I edited that video also,” he revealed. “I did all the colorgrading and stuff. It’s a fun shoot.”
![](https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/c7707593-8880-4ef8-8cb5-45de713374b4_will mikhael pr photo.jpg)
His creative process and evolution as an artist
When asked about his songwriting process, he often writes lyric ideas on his phone andrecords “depends whatever medium” he has on hand. In his words, his way of writing iskind of parallel to the Charlie Puth approach style: “I can basically hear beats in myhead, so you know it can be like me walking down the street and suddenly an idea hitsme and I just go [beatboxing the tunes].” As when an idea latches onto him, bet that hedashes back to his studio and dives right in.
When asked about his songwriting process, he often writes lyric ideas on his phone andrecords “depends whatever medium” he has on hand. In his words, his way of writing iskind of parallel to the Charlie Puth approach style: “I can basically hear beats in myhead, so you know it can be like me walking down the street and suddenly an idea hitsme and I just go [beatboxing the tunes].” As when an idea latches onto him, bet that hedashes back to his studio and dives right in.
On a producer’s note, Will shared that apart from guitar, he also dabbles in otherinstruments like piano. “I know there are musicians who can dobetter than me but I also play piano. Maybe, a little bit of drums and a little bit of bass.” He added, “I just like have the idea on my head how these instruments deliver on mysongs so I kind of have to play some instruments.”
On a producer’s note, Will shared that apart from guitar, he also dabbles in otherinstruments like piano. “I know there are musicians who can dobetter than me but I also play piano. Maybe, a little bit of drums and a little bit of bass.” He added, “I just like have the idea on my head how these instruments deliver on mysongs so I kind of have to play some instruments.”
As Will reflects on his artistic evolution, there’s a clear sense of growth not just in hissound but in his approach to music-making. “People would say [that] my songs rightnow sound very mature,” he muses, recognizing that his current work resonates on adeeper level than before. “Honestly, I’m very happy with my music now. It’s very differentfrom before, and I can really say that I actually enjoy my music better now.”
As Will reflects on his artistic evolution, there’s a clear sense of growth not just in hissound but in his approach to music-making. “People would say [that] my songs rightnow sound very mature,” he muses, recognizing that his current work resonates on adeeper level than before. “Honestly, I’m very happy with my music now. It’s very differentfrom before, and I can really say that I actually enjoy my music better now.”
Collaborations with producers like Shadiel Chan, who has worked with big names suchas Dilaw and Sunkissed Lola, have further pushed him to refine his songwriting andproduction skills.
Collaborations with producers like Shadiel Chan, who has worked with big names suchas Dilaw and Sunkissed Lola, have further pushed him to refine his songwriting andproduction skills.
“I got to work with producer Shad, [a] very brilliant guy by the way. He’s so good, Iactually adore him. I was able to learn from him and at the same time that made melearn so much about my songwriting experience and what I can do to make the processbetter, to make it like faster. I can really say that my songwriting has gotten better. I canwrite basically five songs in one month. That’s how crazy it got actually,” he shared.
“I got to work with producer Shad, [a] very brilliant guy by the way. He’s so good, Iactually adore him. I was able to learn from him and at the same time that made melearn so much about my songwriting experience and what I can do to make the processbetter, to make it like faster. I can really say that my songwriting has gotten better. I canwrite basically five songs in one month. That’s how crazy it got actually,” he shared.
On his next projects
With new music in the works—including two songs recorded in Baguio and a veryCebuano track on the horizon, Will’s ready to keep the momentum going. While thesetracks remain untitled with no exact release dates, he teased them to be organicallyinfused with real instruments and funky R&B vibes “in a different way.”
With new music in the works—including two songs recorded in Baguio and a veryCebuano track on the horizon, Will’s ready to keep the momentum going. While thesetracks remain untitled with no exact release dates, he teased them to be organicallyinfused with real instruments and funky R&B vibes “in a different way.”
He stated, “Well, I actually recorded two songs in Baguio. I can say right now I havethree songs that [are] maybe coming out this year, well, I’m still gonna have to figure [out]where and how I can plan it in a way that it’s making sense like after 'Akong Addiction.'”
He stated, “Well, I actually recorded two songs in Baguio. I can say right now I havethree songs that [are] maybe coming out this year, well, I’m still gonna have to figure [out]where and how I can plan it in a way that it’s making sense like after 'Akong Addiction.'”
“I’m also gonna be releasing a new song, a very very Cebuano song actually. Norelease date yet but watch out lang for that,” he added.
“I’m also gonna be releasing a new song, a very very Cebuano song actually. Norelease date yet but watch out lang for that,” he added.
He’s also eyeing some dream collaborations with local talents like Denise Julia andHev Abi, artists who can help him cement his place in the OPM scene.
He’s also eyeing some dream collaborations with local talents like Denise Julia andHev Abi, artists who can help him cement his place in the OPM scene.
From independent artist to rising star under Universal Records Philippines, WillMikhael is currently relishing the freedom to experiment with his sound while figuring outwhat resonates most with his growing fanbase: the Willers. “I’m just testing the watersas of the moment and see which songs, which vibe does people actually really like fromme,” he said. “Hopefully one day, my songs will stick to people.”
From independent artist to rising star under Universal Records Philippines, WillMikhael is currently relishing the freedom to experiment with his sound while figuring outwhat resonates most with his growing fanbase: the Willers. “I’m just testing the watersas of the moment and see which songs, which vibe does people actually really like fromme,” he said. “Hopefully one day, my songs will stick to people.”
While he’s in search of his next great hit, one thing is certain: with “Akong Addiction,” WillMikhael has crafted a track that’s both a love letter to R&B and a seductive invitation tohis unique world of conyo cool.
While he’s in search of his next great hit, one thing is certain: with “Akong Addiction,” WillMikhael has crafted a track that’s both a love letter to R&B and a seductive invitation tohis unique world of conyo cool.
Lead photo courtesy of Universal Records Philippines
Lead photo courtesy of Universal Records Philippines
Text by Leigh Sofia Lazo
Text by Leigh Sofia Lazo
Interview by Grace Libero-Cruz
Interview by Grace Libero-Cruz
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