Contributed by Sandy Cagurangan
AQ Prime Music introduces another talented P-pop artist. Filipino-American singer, composer, rapper, and performer Zèla has officially launched her first album, “Lockhart,” a powerful debut that marks her entry into the ever-growing P-pop scene.
She finally released her debut album, titled “Lockhart,” which features 10 tracks—six of which were composed by herself. True to her artistic vision, the album embodies confidence and feminism. “I’m a woman myself, so it’s very important for me. You know, these days, we women are gaining more voice, so I want to use my platform to empower others,” she shared.
The album title, “Lockhart,” is derived from her last name. “My name is Zéla Lockhart, so the title came from there. We decided on it because it has a personal meaning for me—most of the songs are written by me, and it all started there. ‘Lockhart’ also symbolizes being locked in on my goals and the things I want to achieve in life,” she explained.
During her album launch on August 11, 2025, at Victoria Sports Tower, she opened the event with a performance of her self-composed song titled “Ace.” “Ace means Activate Confidence to Empower. I chose to just call it ‘Ace’ because I want to empower others through my music,” she said. “That’s why I made it the main track for my album.”
Zèla expressed her interest in future collaborations with P-pop idols or groups. “If I had to choose, I’d say BINI because they’re the queens of P-pop, and G22 because our genres vibe well together.” When asked which girl group she would collaborate with to share her composed songs, she replied, “I feel like my genre would work well with G22 because we both have a baddie vibe. The lyrics are also focused on empowerment and women’s empowerment.”
With “Lockhart,” Zèla proves she is more than just a new face in the P-pop scene. She is a voice of confidence, empowerment, and unapologetic artistry. From writing her own songs to commanding the stage with her powerful performances, she is clearly locked in on her goals and ready to break more boundaries. As she eyes future collaborations, one thing is certain: this is just the beginning for Zèla, and she certainly has the potential to go global.
