East Bay rapper Ruby Ibarra’s latest single, ‘Bakunawa’, is more than just a song. It’s a deeply personal narrative woven meant to explore her pride. The track, which blends sharp vocals, harmonies, and raw emotion, culminates in a subtle detail - a heartbeat tucked beneath layers of sound. That heartbeat, from Ibarra’s first ultrasound, represents a turning point in both her personal life and her artistic journey.

Ibarra, known for her introspective and socially conscious lyricism, found herself reassessing her sophomore album while pregnant. The impending arrival of her first child caused her to rethink her approach to certain songs, particularly those addressing mental health and her evolving experiences as a woman.

To mark this life-changing moment, Ibarra chose to announce her pregnancy in the music video for ‘Bakunawa.’ Written and directed by the Filipina-American rapper herself, the video closes with a powerful visual—zooming out from Ibarra’s face to reveal her baby bump. This imagery serves as a metaphor for the growth and transformation that Ibarra is undergoing both as a woman and an artist.

The heartbeat at the end of ‘Bakunawa’ ties together the personal and artistic layers of the project. The track is now seen by Ibarra as a mini-project within her upcoming album, which will be released next year through Bolo, the Filipina-American-focused label she co-founded. The video not only announces her pregnancy but also symbolizes her ongoing mission to elevate Filipino artists in the Bay Area.

Check out the music video for Ruby Ibarra’s ‘Bakunawa’ below.