Throwback spotlight: Sabrina Carpenter and Shanti Dope’s 'Almost Love' collab remains a groundbreaking moment for Filipino music

As global pop star Sabrina Carpenter takes center stage as part of this year’s Coachella lineup, fans are revisiting one of her most unexpected and culturally significant collaborations: “Almost Love,” originally released in 2018.

The track continues to stand out for featuring Filipino rap innovator Shanti Dope—a rare and forward-thinking move at the time. Long before global collaborations became more commonplace, the inclusion of Shanti Dope marked a pivotal moment, spotlighting Filipino hip-hop on an international platform and signaling the growing global potential of local talent.

Since then, Shanti Dope has built an impressive and influential career, consistently pushing the boundaries of Filipino hip-hop. His recent releases—“Ramdam Mo Ba?,” “Bloods & Crips,” and “One Take Freestyle”—demonstrate his continued evolution, sharp lyricism, and strong connection with today’s audience.

Shanti Dope

Keeping the momentum going, Shanti Dope is set to release his upcoming single “Kahinaan Ko” on April 24, adding another chapter to his expanding catalog of hits.

From a landmark collaboration in 2018 to a steady rise as one of the Philippines’ most impactful artists, Shanti Dope’s journey underscores the lasting significance of moments like “Almost Love”—and how they continue to shape the global narrative for Filipino music.

Main photo credit (Shanti and Sabrina): Thea Pollisco

Stream “Almost Love” by Sabrina Carpenter feat. Shanti Dope: https://open.spotify.com/track/7iC6PZPWIQm38R4fFxhfVd?si=176549e7d5984425

Watch Sabrina Carpenter and Shanti Dope perform “Almost Love” on ASAP: https://youtu.be/nsQwQ2dCJgo