2024 was quite the year for Filipino music.
From bubblegum pop and Pinoy hip-hop to acoustics and throwback hits, this year’s soundtracks comprised a diverse range of genres, lyrics, and beats, that celebrated all the ups and downs and crazy turns of our lives.
Here is GMA News Online’s rundown of the Filipino artists who dominated our airwaves.
BINI
BINI-mania hit the Philippines and the whole world this year, with people of all ages and tastes coming together to dance along to their P-pop anthems.
The Nation’s Girl Group released the “Talaarawan” EP in March, which includes their hits “Salamin, Salamin,” “Pantropiko,” and “Karera.” In July, they released their latest single, the English bubblegum track, “Cherry on Top.”
This year, the group’s earlier songs like “Lagi,” “Na Na Na,” “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi,” and “Born to Win” also got the attention they deserved.
The BINI fever was at an all-time high in 2024 and it goes beyond their music, lyrics and choreography. BINI’s aesthetic of face gems, hair braids, and colorful outfits also made waves as BLOOMs tried their hand at making their idols’ signature looks their own.
And to top these all off, BINI is set to go on a world tour in 2025!
Hev Abi
Hev Abi is somebody you must’ve heard of one way or another. He dropped hit after his this year while maintaining his no-nonsense attitude, which all the more adds to his mystery and entices people to give his songs a listen.
The rap star is behind the songs “Alam Mo Ba Girl,” “Walang Alam,” “Lil Kasalanan Shortie,” and “QC Girls.”
Not only that, Hev Abi was featured in fellow artists’ songs, such as the top-streamed “Makasarili Malambing” with Kristina Dawn, and “Babaero” with gins&melodies, which is Spotify Philippines’ top song of 2024.
Hev Abi was also named Spotify Wrapped Philippines’ Top Local Artist this 2024.
Maki
Maki is the voice behind some of this year’s popular dance challenges.
The rising pop singer made waves with the kilig-filled “Dilaw”—with a music video starring BINI’s Maloi—and “Namumula,” which became a TikTok dance craze.
He has also been making his dreams come true. This year, his songs brought him on the Philippine Arena stage to perform with LANY.
“Dilaw” was also spoofed by Kapuso Comedy Genius Michael V. with the song “Hilaw.”
Dionela
Dionela’s “Sining” featuring Jay-R was only released in June, but it feels like it’s been around for longer.
He sings in both Tagalog and English in the R&B track, which tackles falling in love with a woman so beautiful she is made for a museum.
The singer’s 2022 track, “Musika,” which follows a similar theme, is also gaining popularity and is often used in TikToks and Instagram Reels.
TJ Monterde
TJ Monterde’s “Palagi” may have been released in 2023, but it still tugs at the heartstrings. In the acoustic love song, the artist sings about choosing someone over and over again, even when things get hard.
“Palagi” gained extra popularity when it was used as the theme song for “Hello, Love, Again,” and because of its collab version between TJ and his wife, KZ Tandingan.
Special mentions
SB19
Several artists marked new eras in 2024. SB19, for one, dropped their comeback track “Moonlight” in May. The P-Pop Kings also released collabs with apl.de.ap in “Ready” and with Gloc-9 in “Kalakal.” Not only that, members Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin all released solo music this year.
“Kapangyarihan,” their collaboration song with Ben&Ben, is also the official theme song of GMA Network’s historical series, “Pulang Araw.”
Zild
Zild released his fourth album “Superpower” in August. The artist released 10 new rock tracks, showcasing a more personal side of who he is today.
Ben&Ben
Ben&Ben also released a new album, “The Traveller Across Dimensions.” The folk-pop band’s third compilation is a concept album with an animated story.
The group just capped off a major concert on December 14 in support of the album!
Meanwhile, some older songs became internet hits this year.
Arthur Nery’s “Take All the Love” from 2021, Orange and Lemons’ “Heaven Knows – This Angel has Flown” from 2005, and Up Dharma Down’s “Unti-Unti” from 2017 became the background song for all kinds of online content, from memes to aesthetic shots.
And of course, Sarah Geronimo’s cover of “Maybe This Time” from her 2014 movie became one of this year’s top dance challenges with a choreography completely different from the emotional track.
— CDC, GMA Integrated News
