ArtistDirect News
Maki and James Reid Release Bilingual Love Single "Luck" on Digital Platforms
On July 30 2026, Filipino pop stars Maki and James Reid dropped the bilingual single “Luck,” instantly available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. The track fuses Tagalog and English verses, marking the first time the two performers have joined forces.
The accompanying music video, produced by Tarsier Records, keeps the duo in a playful, neon‑lit office set where pink and green hues clash and dance moves spill out. Maki and Reid chase one another across the set, their chemistry translating the song’s upbeat vibe. The video follows the visual narrative of Maki’s May single “Habangbuhay Pansamantala,” whose clip featured SB19’s Justin. “Luck” is the newest entry in Maki’s “Pink trilogy,” a series of releases that celebrate bright, buoyant themes.
Maki—real name Ralph William Datoon—first burst onto the national scene with the viral 2023 EP Tanong, which included the hits “Saan?” and “Bakit?”. After signing with Tarsier Records in 2021, he achieved mainstream acclaim in 2024 when “Dilaw” became the first Filipino track to top the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100. His debut studio album, Kolorcoaster (2025), features tracks such as “Turning Green,” “Namumula,” and “Kahel na Langit.” The album’s release was followed by a tour of Singapore and Indonesia in June 2026.
James Reid, born May 11 1993, is an Australian‑born Filipino actor‑singer who first captured attention with the 2014 film Diary ng Panget. He has since released two studio albums—Palm Dreams (2017) and lovescene: (2022)—and several EPs. Reid runs the independent label Careless and has appeared in numerous Philippine films and television series.
A Tarsier Records press release notes that “Luck” was produced by Pontus “Oneye” Kalm and Shintaro Yasuda, with songwriting credits to Datoon, Greg Shilling, and Gaby. The lyric video premiered on YouTube on July 24 2026 and has already amassed millions of views.
The collaboration is a noteworthy moment for Philippine pop. Both artists command sizable followings on social media and streaming platforms, and their joint effort blends Maki’s contemporary pop‑dance sensibility with Reid’s pop‑R&B flavor. Industry observers suggest the partnership could broaden each act’s reach, particularly as Maki prepares to perform at LALALA Fest in August 2026.
Reid’s involvement underscores his ongoing musical output; earlier in 2026 he released “Richest Man Alive” and is starring in the ABS‑CBN primetime series Someone, Someday. Maki’s recent activities—including his Southeast Asian tour and the release of “Luck”—position him as a leading figure in the evolving P‑pop scene.
“Luck” fits into a broader trend of cross‑artist collaborations that has become increasingly common in the Filipino music industry. While the single has yet to chart, it has already sparked significant online engagement, with fans sharing the clip on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
In sum, “Luck” represents a strategic alliance between two high‑profile Filipino artists, expanding their artistic portfolios and reinforcing the growing trend of bilingual pop releases in the Philippines. The track’s digital release and visually driven promotion underscore the continued shift toward image‑centric marketing in the local market.
The single remains available on all major streaming services, and Maki’s upcoming LALALA Fest appearance in August 2026 is slated to feature “Luck” alongside other selections from Kolorcoaster.
The accompanying music video, produced by Tarsier Records, keeps the duo in a playful, neon‑lit office set where pink and green hues clash and dance moves spill out. Maki and Reid chase one another across the set, their chemistry translating the song’s upbeat vibe. The video follows the visual narrative of Maki’s May single “Habangbuhay Pansamantala,” whose clip featured SB19’s Justin. “Luck” is the newest entry in Maki’s “Pink trilogy,” a series of releases that celebrate bright, buoyant themes.
Maki—real name Ralph William Datoon—first burst onto the national scene with the viral 2023 EP Tanong, which included the hits “Saan?” and “Bakit?”. After signing with Tarsier Records in 2021, he achieved mainstream acclaim in 2024 when “Dilaw” became the first Filipino track to top the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100. His debut studio album, Kolorcoaster (2025), features tracks such as “Turning Green,” “Namumula,” and “Kahel na Langit.” The album’s release was followed by a tour of Singapore and Indonesia in June 2026.
James Reid, born May 11 1993, is an Australian‑born Filipino actor‑singer who first captured attention with the 2014 film Diary ng Panget. He has since released two studio albums—Palm Dreams (2017) and lovescene: (2022)—and several EPs. Reid runs the independent label Careless and has appeared in numerous Philippine films and television series.
A Tarsier Records press release notes that “Luck” was produced by Pontus “Oneye” Kalm and Shintaro Yasuda, with songwriting credits to Datoon, Greg Shilling, and Gaby. The lyric video premiered on YouTube on July 24 2026 and has already amassed millions of views.
The collaboration is a noteworthy moment for Philippine pop. Both artists command sizable followings on social media and streaming platforms, and their joint effort blends Maki’s contemporary pop‑dance sensibility with Reid’s pop‑R&B flavor. Industry observers suggest the partnership could broaden each act’s reach, particularly as Maki prepares to perform at LALALA Fest in August 2026.
Reid’s involvement underscores his ongoing musical output; earlier in 2026 he released “Richest Man Alive” and is starring in the ABS‑CBN primetime series Someone, Someday. Maki’s recent activities—including his Southeast Asian tour and the release of “Luck”—position him as a leading figure in the evolving P‑pop scene.
“Luck” fits into a broader trend of cross‑artist collaborations that has become increasingly common in the Filipino music industry. While the single has yet to chart, it has already sparked significant online engagement, with fans sharing the clip on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
In sum, “Luck” represents a strategic alliance between two high‑profile Filipino artists, expanding their artistic portfolios and reinforcing the growing trend of bilingual pop releases in the Philippines. The track’s digital release and visually driven promotion underscore the continued shift toward image‑centric marketing in the local market.
The single remains available on all major streaming services, and Maki’s upcoming LALALA Fest appearance in August 2026 is slated to feature “Luck” alongside other selections from Kolorcoaster.