Every now and then, aspiring musicians and performers are releasing new songs. These can be streamed and seen in their respective social media accounts and YouTube channel. Most of the time, they will utilize their own money to come up with a music video for their new single. They also purchase their own recording equipment that they can use. Truly, it takes a lot of struggles and determination to break into the music scene. This is especially true if you are just starting out.
However, these young and hopeful local artists are slowly picking up the pace and building their own names. From signing record labels, to radio and TV guesting, these talented Pinoys have a bright future ahead of them. Let us have a look at the up-and-coming Filipino artists that you should watch out for!
SB19
SB19 is the first ever Pinoy Pop (P-Pop) group trained under a Korean entertainment company, ShowBT Corp. The group is composed of five members (Sejun, Stell, Josh, Ken, and Justin). They debuted last October 26, 2018 with their first single, Tilaluha. Although the song showcased the group’s amazing vocals, it only received lukewarm attention from the people. It was until a year after that they released their second single titled Go Up. Since the group uploaded their dance practice version of the upbeat and pop song, they automatically trended on social media platforms. This paved the way for the success and attention they are facing now.
Behind the Songs
Tilaluha
Tilaluha is an emotional ballad song about the feeling and story of an unrequited love. The song’s lyrics focus on the emotions of a person longing for a love that is impossible to come. It also portrays a one-sided love scenario wherein the person suffering wishes to forget the sad reality he is in.
“Yung kanta po, love song po siya tungkol sa love na never mo makukuha, kung baga unrequited love. Hindi po base yan sa storya ng buhay ko or base sa buhay ng bawat isa (the song is a love song about a love you can never have, unrequited love. It’s not based on my story, or the story of any one of us),” Sejun said in an interview with Rappler.
Go Up
While Tilaluha speaks volumes of heartbreak, Go Up on the other hand is an inspirational pop song. It is a relatable music for all dreamers and hopefuls people out there. This song reflects the group’s desire and fire to achieve their dreams no matter how rocky the path to success is. Furthermore, the song also sends a message that failures are a part of life, inevitable. However, one’s future should not be defined by past mistakes.
“‘Yun yung istorya ng SB19,” Josh said. “Kung ano po ‘yung paghihirap namin gusto po naming i-share sa buong mundo at ma-inspire din po ‘yung mga nangangarap din po, ‘yung mga aspiring na gustong makamit ‘yung mga pangarap nila.” – interview from ABS-CBN.
Alab
Another love song, Alab is about the strong burning desire to find love and be in love. Compared to other love songs the boys have released, this one in a particular shows a fun, light, and chill side of wanting to love someone.
“Yung first song namin, inspirational, so this one gusto namin (we wanted it to be) relatable and fun, exciting and light,” he explained. “More on finding love and parang naramdaman mo yung something, burning desire towards someone na gustung gusto mo (more on finding love and that burning desire you feel towards someone you really like),” Sejun said in an interview with Rappler.
SB19 showcases different genre of music ranging from pop, hip hop, and even romantic music. Aside from the members’ warm and wholesome voices, they are also gaining more spotlight because of their sick and on-point dance moves. Since they are trained under the Korean system, they have also established performing in the most synchronized way possible. Check out their first album release with 6 tracks and watch their performances and vlogs on their YouTube channel!
Syd Hartha
Before being recognized as one of the rising female singer and songwriter, Syd first came to the limelight last 2014 after covering songs and uploading it in her YouTube channel. She was known for making her own sound and renditions of “Young Dumb & Broke” by Khalid and Moira Dela Torre’s “Titibo tibo”. Growing up, Syd’s initial plan was to be a pilot but it all changed when she discovered a college that offers music education and fell in love with it eventually. Another inspiration that prompted her to enter the music scene was the series of videos of Reese Lansangan that she saw. Having found out that such kind of music exists in the country, Syd picked up her guitar, wrote a song, and tried her luck.
Syd’s music was initially geared towards a sweet tone about love. However, her recent music releases showcased a different side of her, a side that embodies women empowerment and awareness on social issues.
Behind the Songs
Ayaw
Ayaw is Syd’s third single and first official release under Sony Music Philippines. The song speaks volume of sexual harassment and abuse towards women. It is all about the issue of consent, victim blaming, and injustice whenever cases or talks bout sexual harassment is brought up. Because of the impact of the song’s lyrics and catchy beat, it became a crowd’s favorite.
“I feel for the victims of catcalling and rape, and understand how hard it is to talk about their experience. As a musician who some people look up to, I know I have to use my voice in behalf of all the victims and survivors. This inspired me to write ‘ayaw.'” – interview from One Music PH.
Paruparo
Paruparo sends a message of being careful every time words come out of one’s mouth. Since people may be confused or be affected with what you say, it is important to think twice before uttering anything. The metaphor is linked towards a butterfly which symbolizes freedom, specifically the freedom of speech.
“And words can really affect people ng malala so yun, kailangan natin pag-ingatan yung mga sinasabi natin (words can really, really affect people so we need to be careful with the things we say),” Syd said. -interview with Rappler.
Syd is slowly penetrating the music scene in the country. She is creating songs that does not only have snappy melodies but also great storytelling. Because of this we can expect more from the 18-year-old singer to give us quality music. Show her some love and support by listening to her singles!
MNL48
MNL48 is the first Filipino idol girl group composed of 48 members and 13 trainees. This group is the Filipino version of Japan’s AKB48, together with Indonesia’s JKT48, Thailand’s BKN48, Jakarta’s JKT48, Taipei’s TPE48, and more. On 2017, Hallohallo Entertainment Inc together with ABS-CBN, created a talent search for aspiring singers and dancers to be part of the idol girl group. Out of thousands of auditionees, 13 weeks of training and voting from the public, 48 members officially debuted on 2018.
The group have already released a discography that consists of five singles. These songs are originally recorded by AKB48 and in Japanese language. To cater to MNL48 and the Filipino audience, these songs were given its Filipino translation and own music video.
Behind the Songs
365 Araw ng Eroplanong Papel
This pop ballad song is the group’s third single and was released a day prior to their major concert. The narration of the song started with the line “Saksi ang bawat paglubog ng araw sa tahimik na dalangin sana sa pagsikat, ngayon, dito, ikaw ang giliw kong kapiling”. This shows how the group aims to achieve their goals with each member as their source of strength.
Furthermore, the single is dedicated to anyone facing hardships in life and struggling to find their worth. Although the journey to success may not be as bright as they hope for, they should always look up to the sky to see the beauty of a paper airplane.
Palusot Ko’y Maybe
The tagalized version of AKB’s Iiwake Maybe, gives off a vibrant and fun tone and feeling to the listeners. The song is just like any other love song that portrays innocent crush that teens develop while growing up. However, what makes MNL48’s rendition unique is how they gave that modern and K-Pop inspired style to their visuals and music video.
Palusot Ko’y Maybe’s music video peaked number 1 at Twitter upon its release last February 23, 2019. The song has a catchy tone and sweet vocals. It was also able to capture the girls’ talent in dancing with the on-point and synchronized choreography.
Although MNL48 is just starting out as a group idol in the country, their fan base have been growing continuously. With multiple exposures from different TV and magazine shows, we can expect that these young and energetic girls will continue to excel and be known in the world of music.
Kakie Pangilinan
If you ever chance upon the ad of Nido few years back, you are probably familiar with Frankie Pangilinan. Kakie is the daughter of Sharon Cuneta and Kiko Pangilinan. This teenager have already been in the limelight since she was young. Appearing on different advertisements and being known as the daughter of the Megastar, it can be said that Kakie can really make it big in the field of entertainment.
Although born and raised in a well-known family, Kakie have proven that she has a voice on her own. Kakie as known for being vocal on her stand about the government through her Twitter page. She is a woman who have a strong conviction on anything she believes and does. Even in her music, Kakie is known to have a deep, husky, and sultry voice that makes her standout from the rest. Furthermore, her love for reading and writing also adds a different flavor whenever she tells stories through her songs.
Behind the Songs
TYL
TYL which stands for “True Young Lovers” was written by Kakie herself and produced by Eraserhead’s frontman Ely Buendia. The song was released just right after Kakie turned 18, before she goes to college in the United States. At first, the song was raw and slow but Buendia changed it. He gave the song a whole new life by making it more upbeat and relatable to the masses.
If you are on a breakup, this song will be your new best friend (making you cry even more). It looks back on a romantic relationship that was expected to be true and to last but fell down eventually. It is a song for people who experienced pain and sadness after breaking up with their “true love”. The song reminds us that even if we want to stay and keep the relationship, when it’s meant to tumble down, then it will do so.
“I wrote it at three in the morning an odd ten months ago or so armed with nothing but my down tuned guitar and a semi-broken heart (i say semi because i saw it coming i wasn’t all that sad, more reflective),” Kakie posted on her Twitter account.
Battlescars
Written by the Kakie when she was just 15, Battlescars will keep you emotional all throughout the song. This ballad is the perfect combination of inspirational lyrics plus catchy beat. If you are going through a hard time about your past mistakes, this song will remind you to move forward. Furthermore, this will give you hope to rise despite the countless times you stumble down. It sends a message of acknowledging your strength to start anew.
Kakie may have been gifted genetically when it comes to singing. However, she surely knows how to make her own mark in the industry. Stream her music via Spotify and other music platforms.
Listening to new artists may not be as comfortable as patronizing those names who are already known. However, the only way to expand the Filipino music is by supporting singers and performers who are in the discovery of finding their unique sound. If we can support up-and-coming Western and K-Pop artists, we can surely do the same for our co-Filipinos.