Kenji has released an emotional five-track EP dubbed "Liham," a special love letter to his loved ones and his followers.
"My 5-track EP with songs of love and pain that serves as letters straight to your hearts," said Kenji, 24, during a Zoom with the entertainment media recently.
Produced and exclusively released by Just Music, a sub-label of Cornerstone Music, "Liham" contains emotionally-charged cuts such as "Her," "Done," "Night and Day," "Paraiso," and the title track.
"Liham" is the first EP for the Cebuano-based artist, who was discovered by Jonathan Manalo, creative director of ABS-CBN Music, in 2013. Now that he graduated from mechanical engineering, Kenji can now focus on music.
"Most of my songs are based on stories sa buhay ko. Hindi lang siya na para maka-relate ako sa ibang story. Most of them parang nangyari sa buhay ko...parang mga episode sa buhay ko. Mostly, it's about relationships," Kenji said. "In Cebu, I never worked in a band. I'm into working on my own music para mas maka-focus ako sa craft."
Kenji said that he feels relaxed writing sad songs, although he would also want to write happy songs.
"Ever since first-year high school ako, my very first song was a sad song, a slow song using my guitar," he said.
Kenji recalled the first time he sang in public. "I would play the guitar for my friends. Then I would sing sa mga birthday party namin. And then I would play the guitar. One time, my gospel singing contest sa school. Hindi siya Catholic so hindi siya puwede umattend sa program namin. And so, I was forced to sing. I competed for my section and I sang 'The Warrior Is A Child' by Gary V."
On music influences, Kenji is all praises for Ed Sheeran and Coldplay. He said: "Kapag international, I like Ed Sheeran and Coldplay because I love the way they write songs." Aside from music, Kenji loves sports like badminton, boxing, and basketball.
Asked if he was sensitive like other artists, Kenji said: "Hindi naman, but maybe I am loaded with emotions. And I can put it in a song kapag may idea ako. May times na ganun din naman."
Kenji has tried the movies when he appeared in the Jinggoy Estrada-starrer "Ang Tatay Kong Sexy." But still, music remains his priority.
"I like the experience of being in the movies pero I want to focus talaga on music. Being an artist, you need to be unique or be yourself. You need to be honest and enjoy what you love."
Kenji shared his ultimate dream: "I want to sing in a very large crowd. Tapos kumakanta ako using my guitar. And I can hear them singing along with my songs. I have really decided to focus on music. As long as I can feel that the people need my music, I will stay. Yun talaga ang goal ko."