Kenneth Brian Edmonds, famously known as Babyface, is all set for his Greatest Hits Concert Live in Manila this coming October 27, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The event, he promised, is going to be “a lot of fun, a night of time travel and going down memory lane.”
The fans can also expect a burst of “high energy.”
During his Zoom media conference with the Philippine press last August, he revealed that the show will include “a medley of songs that I wrote and produced for a number of artists over the years.”
Just to quickly bactrack on his legendary works as an artist, Babyface was instrumental in producing Whitney Houston’s Waiting to Exhale soundtrack (1995); Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” (1992) and “I'll Make Love to You” (1994); Madonna’s “Take A Bow” (1994); Eric Clapton’s “Change the World” (1996); and Toni Braxton’s “How Could an Angel Break My Heart” (1996)
The Philippine Star’s Nathalie Tomada asked: “How does it feel to look back on the decades of music you've created and see how it continues to resonate with different generations?”
The R&B icon described it as “the best feeling,” saying it’s what drives him to keep singing live for audiences.
"That's why I like to go out and perform live. Because you get to feel it in person…
"The biggest thing that I look forward to is coming to Manila to hear everybody kinda sing along because that's when you know you've connected with everyone.
"And that's why I like doing live shows because you can hear from people saying that you, that you've affected people, but it's one thing to hear it in person.
"And so, I'm looking forward to coming to Manila and crossing my fingers that everybody sings along.”
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BABYFACE ON BEING A HITMAKER, A SONGWRITER, AND A SINGER
The 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist and songwriter has worked with Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Janet Jackson, Vanessa Williams,Usher, Mary J. Blige, TLC, Jordin Sparks, Ashanti, Brandy, Monica, among many others.
His work continues to shape today’s sound through collaborations with contemporary icons like Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Pink, and Ariana Grande, to name a few.
Babyface is also the only producer to win “Producer of the Year” four times, holding the record with three consecutive wins from 1995 to 1997.
Rolling Stone Philippines' Elijah Pareño asked: “What is it like to be a hitmaker and a songwriter and a singer?”
His reply: “I kinda feel like I'm a songwriter first, and I get to sing some of my songs that I write.
"But I write for everybody else most of the time, so when I'm doing a show, I enjoy doing my songs as well.
"But I also enjoy doing the songs that I wrote for everyone else because I feel like that's still part of me.
"So, the whole thing, they kinda blend together. Being a singer and being a writer is, in my world, it kind of blends together. I feel like all of it is part of my artistry.”
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THE LAST TIME BABYFACE PERFORMED IN MANILA
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) did a throwback to his last concert in Manila 18 years ago.
“How does it feel to be back here, and do you remember a standout fan moment or your favorite memory from that 2007 visit?”
In jest, he began, “Don't remind me that it's been almost 18 years because, like, where did that time go?”
On a more serious note, he added, “I think that, you know, I remember the crowd being there.
"I kinda remember it being in the city, but it was so long ago, and also, I wasn't touring as much and even doing those things.
"So, right now, I'm excited about it because coming back… I've got a really good band and I think that the show is gonna be really good…I got better musicians, not to say I had bad musicians before, but...the energy is really good right now, so I'm looking forward to it.
"What I'm finding hard to remember is what I was like 18 years ago. You know, how was I on the stage and everything. It's so hard to imagine that that much time has passed…”
Now 66, Babyface seems untouched by time.
Based on videos from his social media feeds, his performances of hits like “Fire,” “Every Time I Close My Eyes,” and “When Can I See You,” remain as flawless as ever.
BABYFACE’S INFLUENCE ON FILIPINO SINGERS
His stellar career as a musician spans decades of critical acclaim, awards, and record-breaking feats, and he continues to influence generations of artists worldwide, including many Filipino talents.
Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Allan Policarpio asked: “Your music in particular has been very influential to a lot of Filipino artists and you see them doing a lot of covers on YouTube. So what do you think makes your music resonate so much with our artists?”
Babyface said: “It’s interesting because I think that, you know, in the Philippines, it is, there is, a soulfulness from the people…that comes very natural.
"And it doesn't feel contrived at all. It feels, it feels very real.
"When they're singing, the way they move their voice…all of it, it just feels very natural and just so good.
"And that's, that's also in the dancing as well. So it's like…R&B is in the blood.
"So even though you say we may have influenced, but I don't know how much influence because I feel like it's already there in the blood to begin with.”
Phillip Matel of Rappler asked about the shift in the music industry brought by streaming and how it introduces his music to new listeners.
“What can you say about those people who are starting to just hear about your songs?”
The multi-awarded American artist ranswered: “Well, I think that, you know, I started writing songs at a very early age. I started writing songs at 12 years old. That was, I was in sixth grade.
"And I wrote [my] first because I was in love, and then I wrote my second song because my heart was broke.
"So, I had experience in that early on, and I think that whole heartbreak thing just stuck with me, and that, that was the basis of so many songs that I wrote.
"And it became, you know, about love.
"And in particular, I think that in the Philippines, that seems to connect, you know, those songs with feelings about being in love, about the heart being broken. And it comes out in a very soulful way.
"And so I'm, I'm glad that I could be somewhat of an instrument to them and to help inspire.”
He offered his impression of the Filipino singers he’s had the chance to watch or listen to,
“And I say over the years I've caught certain Philippine artists, Filipino artists, that I would hear that I'd be like, ‘Oh my god, where'd they get that voice from? How can they sing like that?’
"I remember seeing these four young kids, four young kids that were like killing it.
"They were singing a Boyz II Men song, and I was like, ‘This doesn't even make sense that they can be that good at this point.’”
Lastly, when asked if he’ll be trying karaoke—something deeply embedded in local culture—during his stay in the Philippines, he said: “I don't like to do karaoke because I don't feel like I'm that good to do karaoke.
"You guys can. You, you guys kill, no question.”
Babyface’s Greatest Hits Concert Live in Manila is brought to you by Ovation Productions.
For tickets, click this link to SM Tickets.