R&B Royalties Kyla and Jay R reigned over the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City for their reunion concert titled Back in Time. Presented by Gabi Na Naman Productions, nostalgia was palpable all over as the crowd, mostly composed of millennials, was treated to a fabulous concert with two of the most talented OPM artists.

With their distinctly airy yet smooth vocals, Kyla and Jay R were some of the most popular singers in the early 2000s. They were regular performers in GMA’s noontime show SOP which ran every Sunday from 1997 to 2010. There, they often shared the stage as singers and even had their stint as actors as part of the love team called “JayLa”. Beyond this, the two have been musical partners, composing and making music together. Twenty years since then, their love team might be no longer, but their solid musical chemistry is still very much alive.

When the lights went out, Jay R burst through the stage with Ne-Yo’s “Closer” followed by Kyla who then performed Mariah Carey’s “Fantasy”. Together, they performed “Back in Time” which was composed by Jay R.

Accompanied by an incredible live band, each artist had their solo stage first. Jay R whipped out his best moves with his best hits including “Parachute”, “Kung Mahal Mo Siya” and “Bakit Pa Ba”. He also introduced his new song “Blessed”.

Kyla’s stage performance was stellar with “Making Me Crazy”, “On the Wings of Love”, “Hanggang Kailan” and her breakthrough hit in 2000 “Hanggang Ngayon”.

”Ever since I met this woman 20 years ago, she elevated me in so many ways — as a singer, as a performer, as a person even. Ky, she gives great advice,” Jay R said in between their duet.

“I feel the same. You’ve done the same for me. We’re very close friends,” Kyla replied.

Kyla also fondly reminisced about their first meeting which apparently is a subject for debate for the two of them. According to Kyla’s memory, they met at SOP wherein a towering Jay R accompanied by a bodyguard greeted her with “Wazzup”. Meanwhile, Jay R always thought they first met during their Christmas stage in SOP. Regardless, the two concluded that it was the show that solidified our partnership as musicians.

Kyla and Jay R shared the stage again, one banger after another. Songs like “My Boo” (Usher ft. Alicia Keys), “Hate That I Love You” (Rihanna and Ne-Yo), and “Broken Vow” and “Say That You Love Me” had the crowd singing along with them.

The show was a pleasure to watch from beginning to end. Like its title, it really did take us back in time. Jay R has this natural swag which is matched by his soulfully airy vocals. Graceful as she is, Kyla’s vocals are powerful and distinctly colorful. Together, they make a great team, and seeing that unfold again in 2023 was terrific.

Special thanks to Gabi Na Naman Productions!

by Sandra Mae Laureano