Music of a wonderful world

[2025] Roundup of Popular Filipino Artists and Singer-Songwriters

music writerKOH-1
Started working as a music writer as a side job while employed at a record shop, and have been contributing to music magazines and web media for over 15 years. Although Western music is my main field, I always strive to stay curious with the motto, “I like what I like.” I have experience playing in a band, where I was a bassist responsible for songwriting and composition. Instruments I’ve performed on include bass, guitar, and piano. I resumed piano lessons after turning 40 and have been continuing ever since!

Suddenly, but have you all been checking out music from Asia outside of Japan?

Many of you might say, “Well, maybe just K-pop…,” but in fact, whether it’s indie rock, hip-hop, or pop, Asia is home to countless amazing artists!

This time, we’re focusing on the music scene in the Philippines, a country with deep ties to Japan.

We’ll be introducing not only legendary singers but also plenty of young Gen Z artists born from the late ’90s to the 2000s.

Whether you usually keep up mainly with English-language music or you only listen to Japanese music, we hope this article gives you a feel for what’s happening in Filipino music right now!

[2025] Roundup of Popular Filipino Artists and Singer-Songwriters (41–50)

HaranaParokya Ni Edgar

Harana – Parokya Ni Edgar

HaranaParokya Ni Edgar

It’s a song released in 1997.

Contrary to expectations, the acoustic guitar–driven track became popular among teenagers at the time and turned into a hit.

It also helped bring traditional Filipino chants to a wider audience.

Although it came out more than 20 years ago, young artists still cover it today.

Raise the rankinglower

HoverUrbandub

Urbandub – Hover

HoverUrbandub

An indie band that was the first in the Philippines to land a major-label deal.

Since the early 2000s, they’ve gained a large fanbase across East Asia.

This track is no longer indie.

It’s a slick production where the guitar and his high-pitched voice sound sexy—one of those songs you can keep listening to.

Raise the rankinglower

In conclusion

If you’re well-versed in music, you probably already know that Southeast Asia’s scenes in genres like indie rock and hip-hop are on fire.

This time we’ve featured many Gen Z up-and-comers, so I’m sure quite a few of you were surprised to find artists like these in the Philippines.

If you keep digging, you’ll discover plenty more amazing artists—bands included—so be sure to explore further.