While some artist can only dream of perhaps getting the attention of a global audience or working with a world-renowned Hollywood performer, ABS-CBN Star Magic artist Renee Dominique is already living both.
The young singer, composer and content creator’s time is definitely now as she has fulfilled one of her biggest dreams when Grammy-award winning performer Jason Mraz reached out to her to collaborate on a song.
Renee is the first ever Filipina to work with the “I’m Yours” and “Lucky” hitmaker in what she describes as a mellow-acoustic “happy song.”
“They saw Samsung’s commercial with a song that I sang ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ from Samsung,” she said. “So they saw that and they looked me up on YouTube. And then natuwa sila and they introduced themselves na ‘Oh we’re songwriting team from Los Angeles and we want to collaborate with you on a song.’”
On top of landing that once-in-a-lifetime collaboration, Renee is also checking off another goal on her bucketlist, as she will be debuting the song “Could I Love You Any More” with Jason at the Manila and Singapore leg of his Good Vibes 2019 Asia Tour this coming May 8 and May 11, respectively.
Renee, whose voice was described by Jason as “angelic,” is more than giddy to meet the singer in person after having conversed with him only through emails and video calls.
“Hindi ko alam what to expect kasi we’re going to meet up before the concert to rehearse. Sana hindi ako ma-awkward or ma-starstruck,” she said excitedly about their upcoming meet up.
Turns out that an outpour of opportunity has already been happening to Renee even prior to landing the collab with Jason, as she has already brought pride to the country by landing on two huge commercial deals, which were released worldwide and in all social media platforms.
Mobile giant Samsung used her mellowed rendition of Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” in their Galaxy commercial. While German luxury car brand Audi chose her soulful version of The Carpenters’ “Close to You” to add life to their Audi R8 commercial. What’s more is that Renee is currently working on yet another commercial with multinational American fashion company, Michael Kors.
While she’s no stranger into working outside of the country, after having done some gigs in the US, Renee’s breakthrough commercial further opened doors for her.
“Nag- start kasi yun after lumabas nung Samsung commercial. A lot of labels wanted to sign me. I had a few offers from Europe and sila din nag-offer sila. And then we reviewed all their contracts and proposals and we ended up signing with Universal Music Germany.”
Signing with Universal Music Germany, now puts Renee at par with other well-known pop artists like Dua Lipa and Lana del Rey, among others, who all started under the same label. Apart from releasing Renee’s rendition of “Somewhere Only We Know” and her collab with Jason internationally, the German branch of the leading global music corporation is also eyeing to bring her music to the US soil.
While it hasn’t been an overnight success for Renee, all the blessings that have been coming her way remain unexpected and at the same time, humbling.
“My journey is a testament that you really have to work hard and at the same time don’t compare yourself to other people’s pace kasi magkaiba talaga,” she said.
