Blab Music
Nadine Lustre and Apl.de.Ap Release Hip-Hop Pop Collaboration "Donuts"
Nadine Lustre and Filipino‑American rapper Apl.de.Ap have joined forces for a fresh single that landed on the airwaves on September 4, 2026. Titled “Donuts,” the track was issued through Cool Girl Records and is now streaming across every major platform.
A Billboard Philippines write‑up highlights the song’s pop‑rap energy, noting how it blends English and Tagalog verses to celebrate confidence and ownership of one’s story. The verses tackle gossip and external noise, while Apl.de.Ap’s closing section nods to Philippine heritage, referencing the “Datu” title and the historic Battle of Mactan.
Lustre, born in 1993, returned to music after a three‑year hiatus that began in 2023. Her comeback single “Personal” dropped on July 31, 2026, marking her first release since the 2020 album Wildest Dreams. “Donuts” follows that momentum, showcasing a pivot toward a more hip‑hop‑leaning sound.
Apl.de.Ap—real name Allan Pineda Lindo, born 1974—brought his experience as a founding member of the Grammy‑winning group Black Eyed Peas to the collaboration. He has been featured on international hits such as “I Gotta Feeling” and “Where Is The Love?” and has celebrated his Filipino roots in tracks like “Bebot” and “The Apl Song.” In 2026 he also partnered with Illest Morena and fana on “Wind It.”
The production team behind “Donuts” includes composers Kahlil Atienza, Isagani Palabyab, and Elijiah Wudz B. Bitacura, with lyrics penned by Ivo Impreso and Lustre. Palabyab also handled production duties. An official lyric video followed the single’s release, debuting on September 6, 2026, and was shared across Lustre’s social media channels.
Beyond music, Lustre has maintained a steady presence in film and television. Her recent projects feature the horror film Nokturno with director Mikhail Red, the 2024 film Uninvited, the 2025 film Call Me Mother, and the 2026 television series Love, Siargao alongside Alden Richards.
The partnership is notable for uniting a mainstream Filipino pop star with an international hip‑hop figure who proudly embraces his Filipino heritage. Issued under Cool Girl Records, the single follows Lustre’s earlier 2026 release and underscores her willingness to experiment across genres and languages.
At present, “Donuts” is circulating on streaming services and has sparked early discussion among listeners. No chart positions or sales figures have been reported yet, and the single’s performance will be monitored in the coming weeks.
A Billboard Philippines write‑up highlights the song’s pop‑rap energy, noting how it blends English and Tagalog verses to celebrate confidence and ownership of one’s story. The verses tackle gossip and external noise, while Apl.de.Ap’s closing section nods to Philippine heritage, referencing the “Datu” title and the historic Battle of Mactan.
Lustre, born in 1993, returned to music after a three‑year hiatus that began in 2023. Her comeback single “Personal” dropped on July 31, 2026, marking her first release since the 2020 album Wildest Dreams. “Donuts” follows that momentum, showcasing a pivot toward a more hip‑hop‑leaning sound.
Apl.de.Ap—real name Allan Pineda Lindo, born 1974—brought his experience as a founding member of the Grammy‑winning group Black Eyed Peas to the collaboration. He has been featured on international hits such as “I Gotta Feeling” and “Where Is The Love?” and has celebrated his Filipino roots in tracks like “Bebot” and “The Apl Song.” In 2026 he also partnered with Illest Morena and fana on “Wind It.”
The production team behind “Donuts” includes composers Kahlil Atienza, Isagani Palabyab, and Elijiah Wudz B. Bitacura, with lyrics penned by Ivo Impreso and Lustre. Palabyab also handled production duties. An official lyric video followed the single’s release, debuting on September 6, 2026, and was shared across Lustre’s social media channels.
Beyond music, Lustre has maintained a steady presence in film and television. Her recent projects feature the horror film Nokturno with director Mikhail Red, the 2024 film Uninvited, the 2025 film Call Me Mother, and the 2026 television series Love, Siargao alongside Alden Richards.
The partnership is notable for uniting a mainstream Filipino pop star with an international hip‑hop figure who proudly embraces his Filipino heritage. Issued under Cool Girl Records, the single follows Lustre’s earlier 2026 release and underscores her willingness to experiment across genres and languages.
At present, “Donuts” is circulating on streaming services and has sparked early discussion among listeners. No chart positions or sales figures have been reported yet, and the single’s performance will be monitored in the coming weeks.
