Karera (Bini song)

2023 single by Bini

For other uses, see Karera (disambiguation).

"Karera"

Single by Bini
from the EP  Talaarawan
Language| Filipino
English title| Race
Released| September 22, 2023 (2023-09-22)
Genre| Bubblegum pop
Length| 4:28
Label| Star Music
Songwriter(s)|

* Nica Del Rosario
* Jumbo De Belen
* Jose Miguel Cortes
* Maria Nicolette Vergara
* Mikhaela Janna Lim
* Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja

Producer(s)|

* Bojam
* Jose Miguel Cortes

Bini singles chronology
| "I Feel Good"
(2022)  | "Karera"
(2023)  | "Pantropiko"
(2023)

|
|

Music video
"Karera" on YouTube

"Karera" (lit. 'Race') is a song recorded by the Filipino girl group Bini from their debut extended play (EP), Talaarawan (2024). The song was composed by Gianina Camille "Nica" Del Rosario along with the producers, Julius James "Bojam"[a] De Belen, and Jose Miguel Cortes, with its rap parts written by Bini members Colet, Mikha, and Stacey. On September 22, 2023, the song was released as a pre-release single by Star Music. A bubblegum pop track, it addresses mental health by emphasizing the importance of self-care, and the need to slow down, as life is not a race.

"Karera" was acclaimed for its uplifting message and musical evolution. Kara Angan of Billboard Philippines praised the track for its fusion of bubblegum pop with J-Pop-inspired production, highlighting the infectious melody and hook. She also regarded the song as one of the best P-pop releases of 2023, while Preen commended its self-care theme. The song's message of self-acceptance and personal growth resonated with many and led to its adoption as a graduation song in numerous schools and universities across the Philippines. The track also received two awards, one being People's Voice Favorite Music Video of the Year at the 2024 Awit Awards, where it earned three nominations, and the other, Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year at the 2025 Wish Music Awards. Bini promoted the song through live performances on the Chinese reality show Show It All in April and May 2024 and at the Star Magic All-Star Games halftime show in June 2024.

## Background and release

[edit]

In September 2022, Bini released its second album, Feel Good. The album accumulated over five million streams on Spotify, and its single "I Feel Good" earned the International New Artist Song award at the 2023 Breaktudo Awards.[2][3] Originally pitched to a solo female artist, "Karera" was later picked up by Bini[4] and was introduced as part of Bini's comeback on September 12, 2023, supported by various promotional materials such as individual video teasers, a music video trailer, and a dance choreo snippet.[5]

Star Music released "Karera" on September 22, 2023, as the first pre-release single for their EP,[6] with the music video premiering on the same day.[5]

## Composition and lyrics

[edit]

"Karera"

A 22-second sample of the song's hook, showcasing its message about slowing down and that life is not a race.

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Karera" is four minutes and twenty-eight seconds long.[7] The track was composed by FlipMusic's[b] Gianina Camille "Nica" Del Rosario, Julius James "Bojam"[a] De Belen and Jose Miguel Cortes who produced the song. Bini members Colet, Mikha, and Stacey also contributed by writing its rap section.[6]

Lyrically, "Karera" explores mental health, promoting self-care and encouraging listeners to slow down as life is not a race.[8][4] Del Rosario, who has been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), drew from her personal experiences to shape the song's message.[4] The track reflects a change in Bini's musical approach, presenting a new sound and theme centered on encouraging listeners to navigate life at their own pace and prioritize self-care.[9]

## Reception

[edit]

"Karera" was met with acclaim from critics for its message. Writing for Billboard Philippines, Kara Angan praised the track as a significant evolution of Bini's signature bubblegum pop sound, incorporating twinkly J-Pop-inspired production. She noted the song's "killer melody and hook", declaring it "one of the best — if not the best — P-Pop songs released this year [2023]".[10] The magazine also listed the song in its 2024 listicle "15 Songs to Celebrate Your Graduation to".[11] Andrea Posadas, writing for Preen magazine, commended "Karera" as an upbeat self-care anthem that encourages listeners to take a breather from life's chaos. She highlighted the song's message that life is a journey with room for exploration and growth, rather than a race. Posadas also praised Bini's dedication to their craft, noting that members Colet, Mikha, and Stacey contributed to the songwriting, resulting in a meticulously executed and whimsical concept.[5]

The song also achieved commercial success, peaking at number seven and four in Billboard Philippines' Hot 100 and Top Philippine Songs charts, respectively.[12][13] It also placed 20th and 13th on the year-end edition of the two charts, respectively.[14][15] In January 2025, "Karera" reached 100 million streams on Spotify.[16] Its theme led for it to become a graduation anthem in several schools and universities in the Philippines. Videos of performances during ceremonies, gained attention on social media. Ruru Pura, a teacher from Tagaytay City Science National High School-ISHS, noted that the song was chosen for its meaningful message, emphasizing that "life is not a race" and individuals have their own timelines. At the University of Santo Tomas, "Karera" was featured during a Baccalaureate Mass and pyromusical show.[17]

### Accolades

[edit]

Awards and nominations for "Karera"Awards and nominations received by Bini Award  | Year[c] | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

Awit Awards | 2024  | Best Inspirational Recording  | Nominated  | [18][19]
Best Music Video  | Nominated
People's Voice Favorite Music Video of the Year  | Won
Wish Music Awards | 2025  | Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year  | Won  | [20]

## Promotion

[edit]

Bini promoted "Karera" through various live performances. In 2024, the group performed the track along with their other songs "I Feel Good" and "Pantropiko" on the Chinese reality show Show It All, showcasing Filipino talent on an international platform. The performances were aired on April 25 and May 2.[21][22] On June 3, Bini performed "Karera" at the Star Magic All-Star Games, which were held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City as part of the halftime show.[23][24]

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from Apple Music.[7]

* Bini - vocals
* Gianina Camille Del Rosario - songwriter
* Jose Miguel Cortes - songwriter, producer
* Julius James "Bojam" De Belen - songwriter, producer
* Ma. Nicolette Vergara - songwriter
* Mikhaela Janna Lim - songwriter
* Stacey Aubrey Sevilleja - songwriter

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

Chart (2024)  | Peak
position

|

Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[12] | 7
Philippines (Top Philippine Songs)[13] | 4

### Monthly charts

[edit]

Chart (2025)  | Peak
position

|

Philippines (Top P-pop Songs)[25] | 10

### Year-end charts

[edit]

Chart (2024)  | Peak

position

|

Philippines (Philippines Hot 100)[14] | 20
Philippines (Top Philippine Songs)[15] | 13

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ a b He is also known as "Bojam".[1]
2. ^ FlipMusic is a Philippine production house founded by Jumbo "Bojam" De Belen.[1]
3. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Ferrer, Stephanie (January 15, 2025). "FlipMusic team talks about their roots and creating today's music hits". Adobo Magazine Online. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
2. ^ Carbonilla, Hans (September 22, 2023). "Bini leads the race with new single 'Karera'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on December 25, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
3. ^ Ranara, John Patrick Magno (November 17, 2023). "SB19 and Bini win at BreakTudo Awards 2023 in Brazil". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on May 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
4. ^ a b c "5 Facts About Bini's 'Karera' From Nica Del Rosario". Billboard Philippines. April 18, 2024. Archived from the original on June 12, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
5. ^ a b c Posadas, Andrea (September 22, 2023). "Bini's comeback single 'Karera' is an upbeat self-care anthem". Preen. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
6. ^ a b "Bini Sets The Pace In New Single 'Karera'". PageOne. September 20, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
7. ^ a b "Karera - Song by Bini". Apple Music. September 23, 2023. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
8. ^ "Bini's 'Karera' tackles mental health, says composer Nica del Rosario". ABS-CBN News. September 25, 2023. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
9. ^ "Bini Drops 'Karera' Music Video". Myx Global. October 2, 2023. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
10. ^ "Top Filipino Songs of 2023: Juan Karlos, SB19, Bini, And More". Billboard Philippines. December 4, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
11. ^ "15 Songs to Celebrate Your Graduation to". Billboard Philippines. May 30, 2024. Archived from the original on September 12, 2024. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
12. ^ a b "Philippines Hot 100 (Week of July 2, 2024)". Billboard Philippines. July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
13. ^ a b "Top Philippine Songs (Week of July 6, 2024)". Billboard Philippines. July 3, 2024. Archived from the original on July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
14. ^ a b Gomez, Aldren (December 16, 2024). "Philippines Hot 100 - Billboard Philippines". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
15. ^ a b Gomez, Aldren (December 16, 2024). "Top Philippine Songs - Billboard Philippines". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
16. ^ "BINI muling bumida sa 'Karera'" [BINI starred in 'Karera' again]. Abante (in Tagalog). January 18, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2025.
17. ^ Gatchalian, Ched Rick (June 1, 2024). "'Karera' ng Bini, patok na graduation song sa mga eskwelahan" ["Karera" by Bini, a Hit Graduation Song in Schools]. ABS-CBN News (in Tagalog). Retrieved January 12, 2025.
18. ^ "SB19, Bini, Lola Amour lead nominations for Awit Awards 2024". GMA News Online. August 20, 2024. Archived from the original on August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
19. ^ "Here Are The Winners For The 37th Awit Awards: Bini, Lola Amour, SB19, And More". Billboard Philippines. December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
20. ^ "Bini Shine At The 10th Wish Music Awards, Bagging Three Major Awards". Billboard Philippines. January 19, 2025. Retrieved January 19, 2025.
21. ^ Mallorca, Hannah (April 25, 2024). "Bini, G22 showcase P-pop talent, girl power in Exo Lay's show 'Show It All'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on May 5, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
22. ^ Felipe, MJ (May 2, 2024). "Exo's Lay praises Bini on China's 'Show It All'". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on May 23, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
23. ^ "Bini wows crowd with 'Karera' at Star Magic All Star Games". ABS-CBN News. June 3, 2024.
24. ^ "'Better every year': Bini puts on a show at Star Magic All Star Games". ABS-CBN News. June 3, 2024. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
25. ^ "This Week's Top 10 P-Pop Songs on the #BillboardPHHot100 Chart". Billboard Philippines. June 7, 2025. Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved June 7, 2025 - via Facebook.

* v
* t
* e

Bini

* Aiah
* Colet
* Maloi
* Gwen
* Stacey
* Mikha
* Jhoanna
* Sheena

Studio albums|

* Born to Win
* Feel Good

Extended plays|

* Talaarawan
* Biniverse

Singles|

* "Da Coconut Nut"
* "Born to Win"
* "Kapit Lang"
* "Up!"
* "Lagi"
* "Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi"
* "Karera"
* "Pantropiko"
* "Salamin, Salamin"
* "Cherry on Top"
* "Blink Twice"
* "Shagidi"

Concert tours|

* Biniverse (tour)
* Biniverse World Tour 2025

Films|

* Bini Chapter 1: Born to Win

Television|

* Biniversus

Related articles|

* BGYO
* Star Music
* Star Magic
* ABS-CBN Studios
* Mickey Perz

* Discography
* Awards and nominations
* Live performances
* Videography

* Category

*[lit.]: literal translation
*[Ref.]: Reference(s)
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