ArtistDirect News
Nadine Lustre and Apl.de.Ap Release Hip-Hop Pop Single "Donuts" on Cool Girl Records
Nadine Lustre and Filipino‑American rapper Apl.de.Ap have teamed up for a fresh pop‑rap single, “Donuts,” which dropped on September 4 2026 under Cool Girl Records.
The track fuses English and Tagalog verses and is billed as a pop‑rap song that marks Lustre’s first genuine step into an urban soundscape. Following her comeback single “Personal,” which debuted on July 31 2026 after a three‑year hiatus, Lustre now incorporates rap into her music, using verses that confront gossip and external noise.
“Donuts” is built on a foundation of collaborative writing and production. The composition credits go to Kahlil Atienza, Isagani Palabyab, and Elijiah Wudz B. Bitacura, while Ivo Impreso penned the lyrics. Palabyab handled production, and Lustre is credited as both composer and lyricist.
The pair shared the creative process on social media, with Lustre posting photos of the studio session and describing the experience as “a little surreal making music with a legend.” An official lyric video followed two days later, on September 6 2026, and was distributed across Lustre’s social channels.
Apl.de.Ap, a founding member of the Grammy‑winning group Black Eyed Peas, brings a long history of international hits—including “I Gotta Feeling,” “Meet Me Halfway,” and “Where Is The Love?”—to the collaboration. He has also celebrated his Filipino roots through songs such as “Bebot” and “The Apl Song.” In June 2026 he partnered with Illest Morena and fana on “Wind It,” further underscoring his focus on projects that blend global experience with Filipino influences.
Lustre’s career has spanned film, television, and music. After returning to music in 2026, she continued to appear in projects such as the horror film Nokturno (2022), the 2024 film Uninvited, the 2025 film Call Me Mother, and the 2026 television series Love, Siargao with Alden Richards.
“Donuts” showcases Lustre’s willingness to experiment beyond the pop‑driven sound of “Personal.” The single’s hip‑hop leanings and bilingual lyrics reflect a broader trend in Philippine pop music toward genre blending and cross‑cultural collaboration.
Cool Girl Records, the label behind the release, has positioned the single within its catalog of contemporary pop and hip‑hop projects. The track’s launch on major streaming platforms, accompanied by a lyric video, is expected to bolster the label’s digital footprint.
In short, “Donuts” unites a prominent Filipino actress‑singer with a globally recognized rapper, adding a new dimension to Lustre’s music catalog and continuing Apl.de.Ap’s pattern of engaging with Filipino artists. The single is currently available on all major streaming services and has a lyric video on YouTube, but its commercial impact will be measured by streaming performance and fan reception.
The collaboration underscores the growing connectivity between Philippine and international music scenes, illustrating how artists from diverse backgrounds can create a hybrid sound that appeals to a wide audience.
The track fuses English and Tagalog verses and is billed as a pop‑rap song that marks Lustre’s first genuine step into an urban soundscape. Following her comeback single “Personal,” which debuted on July 31 2026 after a three‑year hiatus, Lustre now incorporates rap into her music, using verses that confront gossip and external noise.
“Donuts” is built on a foundation of collaborative writing and production. The composition credits go to Kahlil Atienza, Isagani Palabyab, and Elijiah Wudz B. Bitacura, while Ivo Impreso penned the lyrics. Palabyab handled production, and Lustre is credited as both composer and lyricist.
The pair shared the creative process on social media, with Lustre posting photos of the studio session and describing the experience as “a little surreal making music with a legend.” An official lyric video followed two days later, on September 6 2026, and was distributed across Lustre’s social channels.
Apl.de.Ap, a founding member of the Grammy‑winning group Black Eyed Peas, brings a long history of international hits—including “I Gotta Feeling,” “Meet Me Halfway,” and “Where Is The Love?”—to the collaboration. He has also celebrated his Filipino roots through songs such as “Bebot” and “The Apl Song.” In June 2026 he partnered with Illest Morena and fana on “Wind It,” further underscoring his focus on projects that blend global experience with Filipino influences.
Lustre’s career has spanned film, television, and music. After returning to music in 2026, she continued to appear in projects such as the horror film Nokturno (2022), the 2024 film Uninvited, the 2025 film Call Me Mother, and the 2026 television series Love, Siargao with Alden Richards.
“Donuts” showcases Lustre’s willingness to experiment beyond the pop‑driven sound of “Personal.” The single’s hip‑hop leanings and bilingual lyrics reflect a broader trend in Philippine pop music toward genre blending and cross‑cultural collaboration.
Cool Girl Records, the label behind the release, has positioned the single within its catalog of contemporary pop and hip‑hop projects. The track’s launch on major streaming platforms, accompanied by a lyric video, is expected to bolster the label’s digital footprint.
In short, “Donuts” unites a prominent Filipino actress‑singer with a globally recognized rapper, adding a new dimension to Lustre’s music catalog and continuing Apl.de.Ap’s pattern of engaging with Filipino artists. The single is currently available on all major streaming services and has a lyric video on YouTube, but its commercial impact will be measured by streaming performance and fan reception.
The collaboration underscores the growing connectivity between Philippine and international music scenes, illustrating how artists from diverse backgrounds can create a hybrid sound that appeals to a wide audience.