Newbie Los Akiyama on the pros of going solo in P-pop
After graduating cum laude in college, Los Akiyama was all but headed toward “a more traditional career path” in the corporate world. But then, show biz beckoned. And he knew that he couldn’t just pass up on the opportunity to pursue his longtime dream.
“It was fun studying something that was right up my alley and I learned a lot. I also did an internship, which was extremely fun and fulfilling. But it wasn’t what I wanted to do just yet … I realized that my love for performing was always bigger. And I knew I would regret it if I hadn’t given it a shot,” he told the Inquirer in an interview.
The newbie artist, who holds a degree in management engineering from Ateneo de Manila University, got his start by starring in student short films and thesis projects. He was also part of the glee club and dabbled in theater. This year, he got a substantial break, after being cast in the short film “Kung Nag-aatubili,” which earned him the best supporting actor award for the said category at the 2024 CinePanalo Film Festival.
Los took it as a sign that he was on the right track.
Another passion
“I’m very happy to be able to do what I love. When I received that award, it was a mix of happiness, confusion and self-doubt. But ultimately, it was validating for me,” he related, adding that there was a point when he thought of just pursuing a job related to his degree. “The award gave me the validation I needed to push through and take the leap once more.”
After acting, Los is now venturing into singing—another passion of his. And his debut single, “Buti Na Lang” (Insight 360 Music), fittingly sums up the journey he has had so far.
“The song speaks of opening doors and taking that leap of faith when the opportunity presents itself. And you just might find great happiness. That’s exactly how I’m able to relate to it. I’m glad I’m in the industry now,” Los said of the feel-good midtempo track, which was written by Jayson Dedal and arranged by Brian Lotho.
The accompanying music video was directed by Dizelle Masilungan, the same filmmaker behind “Nag-aatubili.”
“I’m very happy that it (music video) caught the essence of my story,” said Los, who’s of Japanese descent.
Something to appreciate
Admittedly, his involvement in the song’s creative process was minimal. But his next goal, he said, is to start writing his own songs. “I haven’t had the chance to do that yet. But after ‘Buti Na Lang,’ I have been encouraged to write my next one. Perhaps I can make it into a personal song that has greater meaning to me; a song that I hope people can still relate to,” he said.
Los considers himself a P-pop soloist. “I’ve always wanted to sing and give my heart out while performing. And I think P-pop lets me reach more people. Hopefully, I can give them something to appreciate,” he said.
Growing up, Los listened to the likes of John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Michael Bublé, Gloc-9 and Eminem. He describes his sound as “straightforward and upbeat.” While his early musical influences leaned toward hip-hop, R&B and soul, he now finds himself “absorbed” by the world of P-pop.
SB19 and Bini are his current favorites, of course. “Bini brings a refreshingly Pinoy vibe and SB19 always amazes me with their wordplay,” he said.
While P-pop is more popularly associated with musical groups, Los believes that being a soloist can have its advantages, especially now that he’s still trying to define his style and sound.
Finding the right fit
“As a soloist, it’s much harder to gain traction compared to groups, who can appeal to people. I don’t have that kind of pull. On the other hand, being a soloist gives me the freedom to pursue what I want without affecting others in a group—whether it be acting, or experimenting with what type of music to put out next,” he said.
“My style is something I still have to work on and find for myself. But that’s the beauty of the freedom of being a soloist. I can put out different kinds of songs until I find the right fit for me,” he added. “I want to find a way to blend my influences.”
Los finds acting and music “incredibly fulfilling” in different ways. While juggling the two could be a challenge along the way, Los is determined to do his best in both fields.
“I see acting and music as different forms of storytelling. Acting allows me to embody different characters and emotions; music lets me express my feelings and connect with others through melodies and lyrics. I plan to keep pursuing both,” he said.
