For a classically trained tenor to land a spot on Mediabase’s radio charts, it usually takes something more than a straight reading of a carol. Allan Palacios Chan has done exactly that—and his breakthrough single, “Patapan,” is anything but traditional. The Filipino-American symphonic pop artist, who grew up surrounded by house music and breakdancing, has fused a centuries-old Christmas tune with dancehall rhythms and handpan accents, earning his first-ever tracked radio airplay in the process.
Featuring Cassy London and handpan artist Davide Friello, the Leo Z-produced recording pairs a traditional Christmas carol with dancehall-inspired rhythms.
WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, November 9, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Allan Palacios Chan, a Filipino-American tenor and symphonic pop artist, has reached a career milestone with his single “Patapan,” now the first song of his to receive radio airplay tracked by Mediabase. The recording features vocalist Cassy London and handpan player Davide Friello, blending classical vocal technique with a lively, Caribbean-inspired rhythmic pulse. This achievement comes just weeks before Chan presents Christmas Is Here, his holiday concert scheduled for Friday, December 4, 2026, at Bush Hill Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
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Produced by Leonardo de Bernardini, known professionally as Leo Z, “Patapan” embodies Chan’s crossover philosophy: reimagining familiar melodies without losing the emotional and spiritual threads that make them last. A traditional Christmas carol serves as the foundation, but the track expands through contrasting vocal styles, distinctive percussion, and newly penned English lyrics.
Recorded at The Village Studios in Los Angeles, the single was engineered and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Eric Boulanger. His contributions add a layer of studio polish to a project that weaves together Chan’s personal musical history, classical foundation, and contemporary crossover vision.
Chan’s connection to “Patapan” runs deep—he first encountered the carol during his high school madrigal performances, where it became a personal favorite. Revisiting it as a recording artist gave him the chance to turn that early affinity into a richer musical narrative. He wanted an interpretation that preserved the carol’s festive energy while pulling listeners deeper into the awe surrounding the Nativity story.
For this version, Chan wrote new English verses and a bridge, expanding the storytelling around the original melody. These additions give the song a personal dimension, linking a piece from his formative musical years to his evolving voice as a lyricist and recording artist.
The rhythmic concept also originated with Chan. His childhood home in Northern Virginia was filled with house music and dancehall, thanks to basement parties with his brother and sister—both competitive breakdancers. Those early memories shaped his vision for “Patapan,” with dancehall providing the blueprint for its Caribbean-inflected beat. Against that pulse, Friello’s handpan adds a resonant, bell-like color that balances the dance energy with the reflective heart of the carol.
Cassy London’s contemporary vocal style introduces yet another layer. Set beside Chan’s classically trained tenor, her voice creates a meeting of musical traditions that reinforces the project’s crossover direction. Leo Z’s production ties these elements together, weaving the traditional tune, new material, and instrumental textures into a cohesive whole.
The recording comes with a music video filmed in Los Angeles by videographer and editor Landon Donoho, offering a visual counterpart to Chan’s interpretation of the Christmas carol.
“Patapan” continues the artistic exploration Chan has demonstrated in earlier recordings such as “Frozen,” “Nella Fantasia,” “May It Be,” and “Orinoco Flow.” Across these projects, he draws on his operatic training while seeking repertoire that bridges classical singing and contemporary audiences.
His holiday releases also include the Leo Z-produced Christmas EP Christmas Is Here, which was promoted on a Times Square billboard in New York City. Combining traditional carols with the original title track, the EP reflects the same blend of faith, storytelling, and contemporary musical expression that defines “Patapan” and his upcoming December 4 concert.
That same approach will animate Christmas Is Here onstage. Accompanied by a live chamber ensemble with piano, strings, guitar, saxophone, drums, and vocals, Chan will present an evening of holiday favorites in his signature crossover style. A portion of the concert proceeds will go to Filipino American Cancer Care, linking the celebration with support for people facing cancer.
Born in Manila and raised in Northern Virginia, Chan brings experience in opera, concert performance, and recording to his work as a symphonic pop artist. His résumé includes performances at the Kennedy Center and appearances with opera companies across the United States, along with a sustained commitment to promoting Filipino music and artistry.
With “Patapan” marking his first Mediabase-tracked radio airplay, Chan enters this Christmas season carrying a new recording milestone and a chance to connect with listeners in person. His December 4 concert brings that momentum home to Northern Virginia for an evening of music, community, and charitable giving.
“Patapan” is available on major streaming platforms, and its music video can be viewed on YouTube. For concert tickets, music, and more information, visit AllanPalaciosChan.com.
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Instagram: @allanpalacioschan
Facebook: Allan Palacios Chan
YouTube: @allanpalacioschan
D.M.A. Candidate
University of Cincinnati,
College-Conservatory of Music
www.allanpalacioschan.com
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Why it matters: Chan’s Mediabase milestone signals that classically rooted artists can find a radio audience without abandoning their training—especially when they’re willing to blend genres. By pairing a centuries-old carol with dancehall rhythms and using his platform to support Filipino American Cancer Care, he’s showing that crossover music can be both commercially viable and community-minded.
