Following the well-received comeback of “Personal,” Nadine Lustre teams up with Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eyed Peas in “Donuts,” a sleek blend of pop, hip-hop, and R&B released under Cool Girl Records.
Narrated by the commanding voice of Francis Brew of The Dawn, with haunting choir ‘oohs’ in the background, the track moves into a sonic battlefield of 808s, clever lyricism, and gritty dissonance.
“Donuts” stands in stark contrast to the polish and pop sheen of Nadine’s previous single “Personal,” while still retaining the attitude and candor that defined her earlier releases. She drops her rap-sung lines over retro-futurist production, backed by drums that sound like the stomps of a platoon march. The track shows her suave side effortlessly, pushing her sound toward a more urban direction.
Adding another layer of star power to the mix is Black Eyed Peas’ own Apl.de.ap, whose eclectic presence stands out on the track. The Pampanga-born rapper also delivers a powerful Taglish verse, showing how far he has come while still representing his roots by proudly referencing the historic Datu of Mactan, Lapu-Lapu, and rapping about taking control of one’s destiny.
“Donuts” is written by Nadine Lustre, Andric Ivo Empreso, and Jan Roberts Baloloy, with production by Khalil Atienza, Elijiah Wudz Bitacura, and Isagani Palabyab. The anthemic, dignified track serves as the second installment in a string of singles, appearing to lead toward a bigger project by the multi-hyphenate star.
The award-winning actress, businesswoman, and pop star had earlier expressed her enthusiasm for working with Apl.de.ap in an Instagram post last September 5, 2026. She posted, “A little surreal making music with a legend, @apldeap. D O N U T S out on all platforms.”
Nadine Lustre’s “Donuts” is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Cool Girl Records.
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