Kris Lawrence takes inspiration from daughter Katie to write 1st song in 5 years

MANILA, Philippines, October 4 ------ With his ultra-chill vibe and gangsta swagger, Kris Lawrence looks every inch like a dope, badass R&B hipster. But despite the cool, tough image, he's the ultimate softie when it comes to his daughter, 13-year-old Katie, whom he fondly calls "Katielabs."

Kris' social media feeds are full of heartwarming father-daughter bonding moments, proudly chronicling their candid responses and even flaunting Katie's amazing talents as well. It comes as no surprise then that Kris drew inspiration from Katie for his latest single, "Nobody," slated to drop under the Homeworkz label on the first week of October.

Visibly refreshed after a three-month long US sortie, Kris admits his latest labor of love took a bit of coaxing after a short dry spell. "It was the first song I wrote in five years. When I was in the studio in LA, I had writer's block kaagad. I felt rusty," Kris said. "I needed inspiration, so I thought about Katie and how she makes me feel. Right away, my pen wouldn't stop. I wrote the song in 1.5 hours. Yes, it's definitely about her." Kris was helped by the likes of Filipino-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter and producer Lil Eddie and Los Angeles-based Filipino-American DJ Nico Blitz.

The "Star In A Million" Season 2 winner admits that a "less is more" approach is the best telltale sign of his songwriting maturity. "I think that biggest growth for me as a songwriter is learning how to write with honesty. When I was younger, it was all about proving myself, showing what I could do with melodies and runs," Kris said. "Over the years, I've realized that it's less about impressing people and more about expressing what's real." He continued, "My songs now come from lived experiences — from love, fatherhood, faith, even pain — and I feel that makes them resonate deeper. I'm still evolving, but I'm grateful that my journey has allowed me to find more authenticity in my music."

Despite the setbacks and limitations brought about by the evolving music industry, Kris remains optimistic. "The landscape has definitely changed. Before, it was all about radio and mall tours, and those were fun because you'd really feel the crowd's energy in person. Now, a big part of it is digital: streaming platforms, social media and creating content that connects with listeners wherever they are." "But I don't think live shows will ever disappear. Nothing replaces that human connection. So, for me, it's about balance — reaching people online while still giving them moments face-to-face where the music feels alive," the singer added.

Kris' recent trip to the United States included a 12-city tour with fellow artist Nina and four solo concerts on top of recording four new songs and shooting three new music videos. He will be heading back on October 7 to receive an award in Las Vegas as one of the top 100 most influential Filipinos in the world, and three days later have a show with Kuh Ledesma.

Source: philstar.com