Singer/songwriter Labit offers a gorgeous and tender homage to his Filipino heritage in “MANGOES AND RICE,” a gentle, dreamy, and heartfelt reverie – and the latest single off his upcoming studio album, ‘SOL.’

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Stream: “MANGOES AND RICE” – Labit

Just as we approach the mid-point of AAPI heritage month, Filipino-American singer-songwriter Labit graces us with his latest single, “MANGOES AND RICE,” alongside a thoughtful music video celebrating his heritage and community.

Quiet strength, unwavering resilience, and convivial joy: This is what “MANGOES AND RICE” conveys so subtly both in its lyrical narrative and visual translation. Labit truly stands on the backs of his family that came before him, and he wants you to know this. His story is one of generational strength and community, and the track is a candid exploration of the self through musical expression.

You
You don’t gotta waste all of your time
Go get up and leave this all behind
Trust fall
You’ll be fine
Melanie you’re working through it
Filipino baby
You could do it
There’s power in your every move

You
Growing up on mom and dad’s advice
Looking back
It ain’t so black and white
Trust they raised us right
Moving down to Southern California
In front of everything life has to offer
There’s power in your every move

Sat atop jangly guitars and airy production, Labit’s vocals float across dynamic soundscapes, delivering nostalgia and optimism all in one. His artistic rooting within identity is not one that Labit preaches but leads instead by example; he demonstrates that authenticity arises from staying true to yourself, keeping that truth close to you throughout whatever the world has to offer.

Mangoes and rice
Back when we were just kids
We go outside
Feel the rays on our skin
She goes alright
When it feels like the end
I close my eyes
Mangoes and rice

On the single, Labit shares, “I wrote this song about growing up Filipino-American. It’s a conversation with my sister about remembering our childhood and how we were raised and using that knowledge in present situations.” Indeed, the music video for ‘MANGOES AND RICE’ elaborates on this further. The video first nods to the cultural pressures of work and performance, but soon pulls you into an affective narrative where familial ties, joy, and community stand central to her being.

His last single ‘CLEANING OUT THE FRIDGE’ saw resounding success. Outdoing himself with ‘MANGOES AND RICE’, he partnered with Wanderlust Creamery for this release. Wanderlust Creamery is a Filipino-American founded ice cream brand based in Southern California. The brand is most popularly known for its variety of unique Asian American-inspired flavors, including Sticky Rice and Mango, Ube Malt Crunch, and many other innovative flavors.

Back then
I was always singing someone else’s song
So much better then them
Thinking doing so
Would put me on with all of their friends
Lil Steve
Filipino
And they knew what it meant
Dance good
Sing good
And I play instruments
No Bs
No Cs
Only A for Asians
Wide eyed
Dumb jokes from the 90 percent
Never wanna wear my glasses
So my life was a blur
But we always made it work

Labit is set to release his forthcoming record this October, a full-length project titled SOL. Chasing unabridged authenticity, Labit centers identity and unapologetic exploration through his discography, and this is everything an artist should be in 2025.

Mangoes and rice
Back when we were just kids
We go outside
Feel the rays on our skin
She goes alright
When it feels like the end
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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