"When Alamat officially debuted in February 2021, the group also released its self-written debut anthem kbye, which left many people flabbergasted. The new track is in a mix of seven local languages—Tagalog, Ilocano, Kapampangan, Bicolano, Waray-Waray, Hiligaynon, and Bisaya. According to Ninuno Media, Alamat’s official music label, the incorporation of different languages into the song is a reflection of the group’s commitment to multilingualism. Moreover, the seven local languages reflect the member’s native language and ethnicity.
"For instance, Taneo is from Kalinga, where Ilocano is mostly spoken. Mo, despite having Black-American blood, hails from Zambales where Tagalog and Ilocano are among the dominant languages people use. Jao can speak Kapampangan as a native resident of Pampanga; Tomas represents the Bicolano; Alas is a Bisaya from Mindanao; and R-ji embodies a Waray person of Eastern Samar.
"The song captures the universality of heartbreak and of being ghosted while fusing traditional music with a hip-hop sound. True to its mission of championing the local culture, Alamat also incorporates the traditional sound of kulintang and the rhythm pattern of tinikling, a prominent folk dance in the country. The official music video of the song also showcases some of the defining features of Filipino culture: native prints in their streetwear, the appearance of baybayin, and a traditional jeepney.
"Three months after the release of ‘kbye,’ the single already reached 1M plays, enough for the group to secure a spot in the growing P-pop industry."
Read: Championing Philippine culture: a guide to Alamat discography