(TOKYO) A TWO-MINUTE sample of Charice and Unique Zayas’ RnB/Hip-hop collaboration, whose official release is slated on Dec 22nd, was uploaded in the video sharing site YouTube.com by Unique’s record label earlier today.

Fans were initially skeptical as to the authenticity of the leaked video clip. Earlier in February this year, a video of Charice’s “Pyramid” was leaked onto the internet, months before its slated release. The video allegedly featured a collaboration with hip-hop singer Sean Kingston instead of the official Iyaz.

However, after further research, a direct link to the “leaked” video was actually posted on manhattanrecordings.jp main page as of December 4, local time. Manhattanrecordings.jp is the official site of Manhattan Recordings – Japan, Unique’s Record Label.

The video “UNIQUE feat.Charice ‘Wherever You Are’ (Pro.Jeff Miyahara / Written. Claude Kelly)” ran for one minute and 42 seconds and contained what appears to be the first half of this yet-to-be-released duet.

Along with the video was a description in Japanese, which roughly translates to:
“December 22, 2010: Album ‘From Brooklyn to You’ will be released!

The very talented artists UNIQUE [Zayas] and Charice have teamed up for Japan!

The song features more extensive participation by the Master of Romantic Songs, Japanese producer Jeff Miyahara.

The hottest pop music writer in the US, Claude Kelly also participated on this record track, as part of the album’s powerhouse lineup of US-Japan collaborations.

The song, ‘Wherever You Are’, is included in UNIQUE’s first full-length album, ‘From Brooklyn to You’, for release on December 22, 2010!”

‘From Brooklyn to You’ features more spectacular US producer-singer-songwriter collaborations, so keep your eyes peeled!”

“Wherever You Are” features a very catchy hip-hop/RnB beat, reminiscent of most today’s dance songs in the same genre. However, the two collaborating artists have injected their brand of musical acrobatics, as can be heard starting at the video’s 00:20 mark.

Manhattan Records pre-released a sample of the single, possibly to gauge public interest, just like what many other record companies do. The video was featured in the record label’s official Japanese site.

Manhattan Records – Japan also handles other Western artists like Lil’ Eddie and Mya, who previously collaborated with Christina Aguilera, Li’l Kim, Pink and Missy Elliott in the Moulin Rouge remake of Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade”.

“Wherever You Are” by UNIQUE Zayas feat. Charice

“Wherever You Are” is a not a duet in the strictest sense. Instead, it is a collaboration of four artists: singers Charice and Unique Zayas, top Japanese Record Producer Jeff Miyahara, and the well-known US songwriter Claude Kelly.

Unique Zayas, 21, is an African-American RnB singer who also worked with stars Ne-Yo and Chris Brown during the “Up Close and Personal” concert tour.

Zayas is often welcomed by hordes of screaming female fans that adore this young artist for his immense singing talent and good looks. His musical style is best characterized as “unique, melodic and super drum-heavy.”

His efforts are currently directed to Japan, as per a US-Japan collaboration album contract that he signed with his record label, Manhattan Records.

In a tweet earlier in November, Unique lauded Charice’s talent by saying, “IN Hollywood recording a duet with international singer Charice “THIS IS A MOVIE!!” Soo much talent in the Room =)”

An hour later, Unique added, “@officialcharice is killing it in the booth!!! cant wait till you guys hear what were workin on!!”

On November 3rd, his single “You, Me and the Dance Floor” was released in Japan. This song is also a part of his Japan debut album, “From Brooklyn to You“.

Jeff Miyahara

Tokyo-based Japanese-Korean music producer Jeff Miyahara made this collaboration possible.

Miyahara has worked with international artists Boyz II Men, Timbaland, Pharell Williams. He has also worked with local Japanese superstars like Aqua Timez and Spontania.

Aqua Timez is well known for singing the 2007 season opening of the popular Manga/Anime “Bleach”.

Miyahara is also credited for selling more than 16 million digital downloads, CDs and DVDs to date. Japanese critics consider Miyahara as one of the top producers in Japan, the second-largest market for music in the world.

Claude Kelly

Claude Kelly, the same man behind Charice’s tearjerker single, “In This Song”, is one of the very few songwriters who have an ear for what appeals to popular culture.

Kelly has penned monster hits one after another, in a song-writing career that is just four years young.

Kelly also collaborated recently with Christina Aguilera. He wrote a vast majority of the songs featured in Aguilera’s latest album, “Bionic”.

Here are some of the biggest that he’s written so far:

• “My Life Would Suck Without You”, Kelly Clarkson
• “Circus”, Britney Spears
• “Tonight”, Jay Sean
• “Party in the USA”, Miley Cyrus
• “For Your Entertainment” – Adam Lambert
• “Grenade” – Bruno Mars

Kelly has also written songs for other US stars like:

• The Late Michael Jackson
• Kat DeLuna
• Leona Lewis
• Brandy
• Jesse McCartney
• Corbin Bleu
• Akon
• The Backstreet Boys
• Whitney Houston

“Nothing better than seeing two dope talents i know & love join forces on something special. @IamUniqueZayas + @officialcharice = GREAT MUSIC”, tweeted Kelly, right after Unique and Charice recorded “Wherever You Are”.

So what do you think about this new beat? The producers would love to hear from you!

by Rj Nieto, charicemania.com

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