No matter how much our local music scene may evolve in the blink of an eye, one thing’s for sure—there’ll always be time for us to uplift our favorite artists along the way. We may encounter multiple changes in the genres and sounds we’re familiar with, but even those drastic shifts won’t take away the fulfillment of discovering new names that our long-time idols swear by.
Photo: Jamiela, Shaira Luna (via SHANNi)
That’s why Maki didn’t hesitate to express his support for Original Pilipino Music (OPM) last month at his Pink Fest mall show. In honor of his latest single, “Habangbuhay Pansamantala,” the Gen Z hitmaker painted the whole Trinoma Activity Center pink to celebrate his new artistic chapter. He even made sure to have enough space for Zushis to highlight their own creative endeavors through artsy booths and activities.
In the spirit of community, Maki also shared the stage with four opening acts who joined him in highlighting OPM’s diversity and powerful storytelling. Each artist he brought onstage was nothing short of a delight to watch, making the Pink Fest a mall show for the books. Needless to say, every music lover in the crowd got more than what they bargained for.
If you want to support OPM beyond the singers you already stan, then broadening your palate with these new names is a definite step in the right direction. They’re more than ready to earn their stripes as household names in the making, and Maki’s Pink Fest is just the beginning of their artistic journeys.
Darren Cashwell
Rave-goers, lovers of electronic dance music (EDM), and party animals at heart will have a blast with Darren Cashwell’s dynamic discography. The EDM-pop duo started as DJs in 2013 and ventured into more original music five years later. They’ve worked closely with various OPM artists since signing with Star Music, such as Jed Madela, Jeremy G, and Bianca de Vera, to name a few.
Get to know Darren Cashwell more through these songs:
- “Wish We Never”
- “Pike Street 6” (with Bianca de Vera)
- “Parking Lot” (with Jeremy G and Chie Filomeno)
- “Bring the House Down” (with Jenil and DJ Young)
Jamiela
If you’ve never heard of Jamiela before reading this, then you’ll definitely remember her name from here on out. There are multitudes to this singing doll, who effortlessly captures crowds’ attention by introducing herself again, and again, and again before the music plays. From busking at intimate local gigs to opening for Maki at his Pink Fest, the world is truly Jamiela’s dollhouse, and we can’t wait for it to be filled with more of her eccentric indie sound.
Get to know Jamiela more through these songs:
- “Bendahe”
- “Kahon”
- “Sikreto”
- “Tayo ay Bagay”
SHANNi
SHANNi’s music feels like a never-ending daydream and reads like a stream of consciousness from our diaries. Her fusions of city pop, synth-pop, and jazz make excellent additions to your road trip playlists, or whenever you can’t put your late-night thoughts to bed yet. She strives to spread positivity through her songs, which tug at your heartstrings with their mellow tones and bittersweet verses.
Get to know SHANNi more through these songs:
- “Sikretong Tayo Lang May Alam”
- “SSS (Stuck Song)”
- “19”
- “Sa Panaginip”
Suyen
Suyen is for the pop-punk girlies at heart who grew up blasting Avril Lavigne’s music through their bedrooms. Her musings on love and its many complexities, which shine in her debut EP, Suyen Imnida, are also highly reminiscent of OPM classics. You might even hear hints of Yeng Constantino, Kitchie Nadal, and Barbie Almalbis in Suyen’s songs, if you listen close enough.
Get to know Suyen more through these songs:
- “Isang Linggong Maghihintay”
- “Tampo”
- “Bente”
- “Katabi”
ALSO READ: Want to Stan KAIA? Get to Know the P-pop Girl Group Through These 8 Songs
Who are your favorite Filipino singers, bands, and performers on the rise? Sound off and share your picks with us in the comments below!
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