After a five-year hiatus, Kris Lawrence hit a wall while trying to write his new single, "Nobody."
The Prince of R&B admitted he felt "rusty" and needed a push to get going following his two-month U.S. stint.
"It was the first song I wrote in five years," he shared with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), confessing, "When I was in the studio in L.A., I had writer’s block kaagad. I felt rusty."
Kris detailed his initial struggle: "I’ll be real — I had writer’s block because I hadn’t written a song in five years.
"I felt rusty, like my creative muscles forgot how to move. Then I stopped trying so hard and just leaned into love—the kind that’s pure and grounding."
Fortunately, the answer was close at hand: Katie, his 13-year-old daughter with ex-girlfriend Katrina Halili.
"Naturally, I thought about Katie and the way she makes everything brighter," Kris said.
The result was instant: "The moment I did, my pen took off. It was like the song had been waiting for me the whole time."
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KRIS LAWRENCE ON KATIE'S REACTION
Kris didn't create "Nobody" alone; he received help from industry friends.
He proudly notes that Lil Eddie, a Grammy-Award winning songwriter and Britain’s Got Talent alumnus, assisted with the refinement, helping with "wordplay and put the 'sauce' on it in the second studio version."
Additionally, he credits L.A.-based Filipino-American DJ Nico Blitz (from REAL 92.3) for contributing the track's solid background groove.
Of course, Katie was naturally the first person to hear the song.
Her reaction, according to Kris, was a mix of mild praise and typical teen distraction.
Kris shared that she simply said, "It’s nice, Papa…" then immediately "carried on playing with her Labubus."
The singer did score one win, though: Katie couldn't resist singing along to the catchy line: "Nobody Nobody Nobody Nobody but you babe…"
But what key message does he hope his daughter and all listeners will take away from his new song?
Kris answered: "That real love feels safe. It’s not loud or dramatic — it’s steady.
"'Nobody' is about finding that one person, or even that one reason, that keeps you grounded. It’s about knowing that peace can be just as powerful as passion."
KRIS LAWRENCE ON FATHERHOOD
Reflecting on his experience with "Nobody," Kris acknowledges that fatherhood has drastically altered his creative process, particularly how he writes new music.
"It made everything more intentional," he said.
"Di na ako nagsusulat para mag-impress; nagsusulat na ako para mag-connect. Every lyric has to mean something.
"'Nobody' isn’t just a love song—it’s a reflection of what I’ve learned about love, fatherhood, and gratitude."
This shift in perspective comes directly from co-parenting his daughter, Katie, who completely flipped his script on love and life.
He realized the most unexpected lesson: "That sometimes, keeping the peace is more important than winning the argument, haha! Co-parenting teaches you humility fast."
Kris previously viewed love through the lens of grand gestures, but Katie showed him it’s truly about “small consistencies—patience, presence, and knowing when to just let things go."
Beyond creativity, Katie helps him grow emotionally. He describes her as his center, especially during tough times.
He said, "She’ll crack a joke or just look at me and say 'I love you, Papa'— and suddenly, I remember that joy doesn’t need to be earned. It’s already there."
The singer shares that his daughter "keeps my heart soft, even when life gets rough."
For both Katie and his other child, Lyric, Kris hopes to instill three core values: kindness, confidence, and gratitude.
In his words: "Well to both of my kids Katie & Lyric, I want to instill kindness, confidence, and gratitude — those three things can take you anywhere.
"I remind Katie that she can be strong and gentle at the same time.
"Whether they are singing, studying, or just being a kid, I want them to know they’re capable, they are loved, and they are safe to dream as big as they want."
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- Katrina Halili gets help from current boyfriend in taking care of daughter Katie