With their first international collaboration song “ZEALOUS,” Vietnamese singer Vũ Thảo My and BGYO leader Gelo Rivera reflect on the rise of Southeast music and acts globally.
For Gelo and My, their recent collaboration represents more than just a song but also a “win-win” opportunity to connect cultures and expand creative boundaries.
“I think it's really great because I felt like this hasn't been done enough before, especially where I'm from,” My expressed. “I think I'm one of the first people that would like to do a collab with another artist from another country.”
She added that these collaborations bring together different musical influences while strengthening ties among Southeast Asians, who are also fondly referred to as “SEAblings.”
“I think I would love for people to do more of this because I think it's just fun. You can just vibe together and make new friends. I think it's a win-win situation for everyone and I would love to see more of that in the future,” she said.
“It's great and it's a thing that we should see it as a gain, as a winning, and be positive about it and we do more because of it. It's a bright future for us and I think we have to do a lot more to get even way more than that. I think it's a good future, very positive,” My added.
My also hope that projects like “ZEALOUS” can open doors for more artists between the two countries. “I hope that this could open so many doors in the future, and I hope it can just destroy any barrier, because I feel like this should be done way more and I hope that we can just inspire any artists that also want to do this as well, also want to go explore in the foreign countries and make new friends and new people and just make good music.”
Gelo echoed her sentiments, saying the collaboration highlights the richness of regional talent.
“I think it's nice to see two different cultures and two different artistries combined. Kumbaga, you’re going to make something so unique, so beautiful and I think it's also a way for us na ipaalam sa ibang tao, sa buong mundo na Vietnam and the Philippines, there’s such, parang maraming taong talented and talagang passionate about their craft,” Gelo said.
“It's something to be proud of, ‘yung ganitong klaseng excellence from Asia,” he added.
My also shared during a media conference that she initially contacted Gelo after spotting his dance routine on TikTok.
“I was the one who contacted Gelo first because I was looking for someone who could fit into the energy of the song I was making, and Gelo was perfect for it. I just came across a video of him dancing on TikTok and I was like, that's so cool. So yeah, I contacted him first,” My recalled.
She later discovered his work with BGYO, citing tracks like “All These Ladies” and “Fresh” as part of her introduction to his music.
“When I saw Gelo, I didn't know he was in the band. When I looked him up and then he's like in the band so that's how I found out about him. It was very natural,” My said.
For Gelo, being chosen for the collaboration was both a milestone and an honor. “This is my first-ever international collaboration and syempre, this is also a big opportunity and blessing for BGYO. Because everywhere I go, dala-dala ko ‘yung pangalan ng BGYO and kung paano kami. I'm glad, I'm happy, na nadala ko ‘yung sound ng BGYO Gelo in Vu Thao My’s latest single.”
“ZEALOUS” is now available on music streaming platforms in both Vietnamese and English versions.