Singer-songwriter Labit presents a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to his Filipino roots with “MANGOES AND RICE,” a gentle, dreamy, and sincere reflection that is the latest single from his upcoming album, ‘SOL.’
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Stream: “MANGOES AND RICE” – Labit
As we reach the midpoint of AAPI Heritage Month, Filipino-American artist Labit releases his new single, “MANGOES AND RICE,” complemented by a meaningful music video that honors his culture and community.
The track conveys quiet strength, unyielding resilience, and joyous camaraderie, subtly expressed through its lyrics and visuals. Labit honors the legacy of his ancestors and emphasizes the importance of this connection. His narrative is one of generational fortitude and community, exploring the self through music.
MANGOES AND RICE – Labit
You
You don’t have to spend all your time
Go on and leave this behind
Trust fall
You’ll be alright
Melanie, you’re working through it
Filipino baby
You can do it
There’s strength in every move you make
You
Growing up with mom and dad’s guidance
Looking back
It’s not just black and white
Trust that they raised us well
Relocating to Southern California
In front of everything life has to give
There’s strength in every move you make
With jangly guitars and light production, Labit’s vocals glide over vibrant soundscapes, blending nostalgia and hope seamlessly. He does not preach about identity but rather leads by example, showcasing that being true to oneself brings forth authenticity, no matter what challenges arise.
Mangoes and rice
When we were just kids
We went outside
Basking in the sun
She says it’s okay
When it feels like it’s all over
I close my eyes
Mangoes and rice
In discussing the single, Labit shares, “I wrote this song about growing up Filipino-American. It’s a conversation with my sister about recalling our childhood and how we were raised, applying those lessons to our current lives.” The music video for ‘MANGOES AND RICE’ further develops this theme, initially addressing cultural expectations of productivity, then immersing viewers in a touching story that highlights the importance of family, joy, and community.
Labit © Erica Hernandez
His previous single, ‘CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE,’ was a significant success, and with ‘MANGOES AND RICE,’ he has taken it a step further by collaborating with Wanderlust Creamery, a Filipino-American ice cream company based in Southern California. The brand is well-known for its array of unique Asian-American-inspired flavors, such as Sticky Rice and Mango, Ube Malt Crunch, and more innovative options.
Back then
I was always singing someone else’s song
So much better than them
Thinking that would connect me with all their friends
Lil Steve
Filipino
And they understood what that meant
Danced well
Sang well
And I played instruments
No Bs
No Cs
Only As for Asians
Wide-eyed
Silly jokes from the majority
Never wanting to wear my glasses
So my life was a blur
But we always made it work
Labit’s upcoming album, SOL, is set to be released this October. Pursuing true authenticity, Labit focuses on identity and unrestrained exploration throughout his music, embodying everything an artist should be in 2025.
Mangoes and rice
When we were just kids
We went outside
Basking in the sun
She says it’s okay
When it feels like it’s all over
I close my eyes
Mangoes and rice
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:: Stream/purchase MANGOES AND RICE here ::
:: Connect with Labit here ::
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Stream: “MANGOES AND RICE” – Labit
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© Erica Hernandez
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Singer-songwriter Labit pays a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to his Filipino roots in “MANGOES AND RICE,” a soft, dreamy, and sincere reflection – which is the newest single from his forthcoming studio album, ‘SOL.’