IBU (Inspired By U)

Winner :
2004 New York International Music Festival, Best R&B Group
2003 State Sponsored Chicago Music Opportunity Project
2003 Chicago Filipino American Hall Of Fame, inductee
2003 Filipino-American Music & Entertainment Award, Best Performing Group

IBU, short for Inspired By U, is an eponym the group choose for itself as they claim to be inspired by the people they sing to. IBU’s uniquely rich harmonies and outstanding dance skills quickly earned them the distinction as Chicago’s most sought after Asian-American performing group, a hype they made sure they could keep up with. Now on its 5 th year, IBU continues to make headlines, thrusting itself more and more to the forefront of the mainstream music scene. WGN/WB Channel 9 called them Chicago’s hottest boy group, and Power 92.3FM introduced them as “Asians with Soul,” and has been considered by many industry insiders as the next “Boyz II Men.” IBU has appeared on FOX TV and did several shows at Chicago’s Cable Access Network Television.

In November 2004, IBU performed at the prestigious New York International Music Festival in Manhattan and after receiving nominations by the industry and the audience, was voted as the best R&B Group, becoming the first ever Asian-American group to win at the festival. NYIMF is one of the largest exhibits of innovative musical talent in the US, with artists from all over the world participating. The year before, IBU won the state-sponsored, the Chicago Music Opportunity Project. In 2004, the group performed at the biggest African-American Festival in the country: the Bud Billiken Parade, the prestigious Chicago Music Awards, the American Midwest Music Collaboration Hiphop fest where they shared the stage with mainstream artists such as J-Boogs of B2K, Kwiet Storm, and Lil Wish, and at the Illinois Lottery Stage at the 24 th Annual Taste of Chicago. Earlier this year, IBU performed with American Idol season 3 finalist, Jennifer Hudson, and American Idol Season 2 finalist Jordan Segundo at a fund raiser for Unicef and the Philippine National Red Cross. On July 2, 2005, IBU returns to the 25 th Annual Taste of Chicago at Grant Park, this time performing at the Fox TV Bandstand. IBU has also become a favorite at the Chicago White Sox games, performing the National Anthem in at least six games this season. IBU will headline the New York International Music Festival’s Variety of Talented Entertainers show (VOTE) to be held in June in Las Vegas.

In the Asian-American arena, the group has been seen internationally via satellite broadcast, on ABS-CBN/The Filipino Channel, as well as the International Channel on shows such as “Stateside,” “Balitang America,” and “Sing.Song.” They made their Manila radio debut on Wave 89.1FM in July of 2004 and continue to regular rotation till this day. Radio stations in Las Vegas and Sacramento have picked up their songs as well. They have performed with several Philippine legends such as Basil Valdez, Jaya, Apo Hiking Society, Lani Misalucha, Side A Band, Freestyle, Aiza Seguerra, Rica Peralejo, Jessa Zaragosa, Hadji Alejandro, Rachel Alejandro, Geneva Cruz, KC Montero, Aiai Delas Alas, Troy Montero, and Joey Albert. They have also shared the stage with other notable Filipino American Artists such as 6 th Day, Rex Navarette, Pinay, Immij, Devotion, and Next Phaze. Their travels have taken from the prestigious Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, Marine World in Vallejo, CA to cities such as Las Vegas, Ames (Iowa), Raleigh (North Carolina), New York, Tampa, Orlando, Columbus (Ohio), Atlanta (Georgia), Detroit (Michigan), and several cities in Indiana. IBU has been active in the college scene, having performed at the Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois in Chicago, University of Illinois in Champaign, Michigan State University, Ball State University, University of North Carolina, Iowa State University and Purdue University among others.

Formed in 2001, the group is composed of two Filipino Americans, Jonathan Shauf and Michael Musni, and the third member, Tommy Chanthasene migrated to the US from Laos with his family when he was three. All three come from musically inclined families. Tommy adopted his singing abilities from his mother. Jonathan, a proficient guitarist, grew up singing in a church choir. Tommy met Jonathan at a karaoke bar and the two started to do collaborations. It was a few months later that Mike Musni, a dancer/choreographer, and who has never sang on stage before IBU, joined to complete the IBU formula. Their combined talents and their great song writing abilities, makes IBU the total package, a claim that is so evident when they perform on stage.

IBU’s career as a professional performing artist became more defined after winning the 2003 Chicago Music Opportunity Project, where they participated in a ten-week training program before the talent competition that culminated the project. Among the judges in the competition was Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child. IBU claims that winning the project opened the mainstream doors to them, including a record deal. IBU was quoted “We have learned so much about the music industry, and how it works. Everyone who attempts to have a career in the music industry should learn as much as they can about it, not just the technical part, but the business aspect as well. We have been taught early on about the virtues of patience, perseverance, humility and discipline. These are the virtues that brought us where we are now. Even if we don’t make it big as artists, we know there are still many opportunities for us in the music industry. Our music has taken us to a different level now. We cannot ignore the fact that our music has become a business, and we are continually learning what there is to know about the business. Business is a part of our career that we have to deal with. It’s a complicated industry. However, when we sing together as a group, either on stage or in the studio, we are transported back to the same zone that got us together, the zone where we share the same passion for music, a zone where nobody can touch us, a zone where we feel free…”

IBU has released its first solo album entitled “Redefined,” in April 2005. Prior to that, they were in three recording projects, including their first single “Next To The Candlelight,” released in 2002, The Chicago Music Opportunity Project Compilation CD, released in 2003, and a Compilation CD “Valentine’s for Lovers And Friends,” released by Rickey Hendon Records in 2004. IBU has been a featured artist in about two dozen internet music sites including soundclick.com where they have been listed as one of the hottest signed bands for over a year now, and have been constantly on the top position on the R&B Charts. Chicago Tribune ran a feature about the group’s struggle to overcome stereotyping of the Asian-American Artists in the Mainstream Music Industry and the mainstream media in November 2004.

IBU are consummate artists, whose performances are overcharged by their pure talent. A review of their first solo concert in 2003 appeared on Ambibo.com “Speaking of energy, IBU were oozing with it. Jumping, tumbling and singing at the same time takes supreme effort for ordinary beings, but for them it seemed effortless. They reeked creativity. From IBU’s improvisations, genuine artistry was evident.” IBU has received many accolades but the most profound testimonial comes an admirer, Robyn, who wrote “When you add handsome men with different unique voices take them out of the cultural environment and throw them into an industry and genre dominated by the African-American community, you have nothing but ingredients for success. I have been exposed to many cultures who attempt R&B, however, none have quite mastered it like you three!” This validation truly manifests what IBU stands for. IBU is a member of ASCAP.

- BEI Artist Management