New Filipino Voices
The next chapter of Filipino music is happening right now, from Manila to the Bay Area to Bacolod. These are the artists we keep coming back to. Pick a mood, press play, and meet the people behind every song. Chances are you’ll leave with a few new favorites.
The DIWA Mix, Vol. 1: all five moods in one playlist, with 28 songs from the Philippines and Filipino America.
Pick a mood above to meet the artists behind each one.
Ballads and acoustic songs for when the room gets quiet.
Featured in Slow Down
Jan Roberts
Jan Roberts Baloloy grew up in Legazpi, Albay, in a family of musicians and theater people. When the pandemic shut everything down, he started busking for strangers online, on Discord and TikTok.
A friend from the band Dilaw introduced him to Warner Music Philippines, which signed him, and his 2024 single “Sagip” climbed to No. 3 on Spotify Philippines’ Viral 100. He grew up on Bullet Dumas, Ebe Dancel, Gary Granada, and Johnoy Danao, and he has since released “Kung Masusunod” with Danao himself.
Start with “Sagip.”
Also in this mix
- Zephanie A Republic Records Philippines singer with a voice built for ballads. Start with “Kung Ang Puso.”
- rhodessa An indie-pop songwriter from Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2026 class. Start with “sana ako nalang.”
- Dionela A songwriter and producer whose “Marilag” was one of Spotify Philippines’ top local songs of 2025.
- Cup of Joe An alt-pop-rock band whose “Multo” won Best Song Asia at the 2026 Music Awards Japan.
- Ligaya Escueta A singer-songwriter whose “Novelty” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- aunt robert “Mad” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- Paolo Sandejas A singer-songwriter with a 2025 album on Sony Music Philippines, The World Is So Small.
- TJ Monterde His “Palagi” was named Top Local Song of the Year for 2024.
- Megumi Acorda “Copeland Heights” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- ena mori “Portion Control” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- Kenaniah An indie artist from Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2026 class. Start with “Sabihin Lang (Kung Ayaw Mo).”
- Zack Tabudlo A pop singer-songwriter on Republic Records Philippines.
Late-night R&B, best after the lights go down.
Featured in After Hours
Denise Julia
Denise Julia writes, sings, and produces her own songs, and media across the Philippines name her as a leading figure in the new wave of Filipino R&B.
Born and raised in Tondo, she studied international relations at the Ateneo de Manila University, where she played with the Ateneo Musicians’ Pool. In 2026 she signed with the US label EMPIRE, released her LOVE AGAIN EP, and saw her face on a billboard in Times Square. She captioned the photo “Tondo to Times Square.”
Start with “CHANGES (2a.m. Version).”
Also in this mix
- La Mave Laid-back R&B with a hip-hop edge, on Billboard Philippines’ artists to watch for 2026.
- RINI A Filipino American R&B singer featured in Spotify’s Filipino Heritage Month showcase.
- Ashley Mehta A Filipino and Indian American singer blending genres, featured in Spotify’s Filipino Heritage Month showcase.
- Elhé A genre-blending artist from Olongapo City whose background in dance shapes his rhythm, and part of Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2026 class.
- Labit A Los Angeles multi-instrumentalist writing songs tied to his heritage.
- Lyn Lapid A Filipino American singer-songwriter working on her second album.
- Bankyu “SWISH,” with Wavyier, made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- Arthur Nery One of Spotify Philippines’ top local artists of 2023.
- Jess Connelly A Filipina R&B singer. Start with “Lock.”
Indie, alt-pop, and bands for the drive home.
Featured in Golden Hour
NEW LORE
NEW LORE is an all-girl alt-pop trio, Tita Halaman, Kim, and Carole, who build their world out of music, poetry, and visual art.
Formerly No Lore, they rebranded at the start of 2025 and released their debut album, grief cake, which landed on Spotify New Music Friday playlists around the world. Spotify named them to its RADAR Philippines class for 2026.
Start with “substack girl,” then “i know u by heart.”
Also in this mix
- Chezka A singer-songwriter whose “Misfire” landed on more than 20 Spotify New Music Friday playlists worldwide.
- It All Started In May A five-piece band mixing a ’70s Manila sound with modern indie pop.
- HEY JUNE! An alternative pop-rock trio from Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2026 class.
- hazylazy A band with psychedelic roots, on Billboard Philippines’ artists to watch for 2026.
- fitterkarma An alt-rock band whose “Pag-Ibig ay Kanibalismo II” hit No. 1 on Billboard Philippines’ Top Philippine Songs.
- Daspan En Walis “143 (Will You Memorize)” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- Lola Amour “The Moment,” with KOKORO, made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- Dilaw A Baguio rock band whose “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)” set Spotify Philippines’ record for the most streams of an OPM song in a single day.
Hip-hop and rap, best played loud.
Featured in Hype
SHNTI
SHNTI raps for LIAB Studios, the independent hip-hop label co-founded by Waiian, who you’ll also hear in this mix.
Billboard Philippines put her on its list of artists to watch in 2026, calling her proof that the future of the genre is female.
Start with “Best Life.”
Also in this mix
- Paul N Ballin A Makati rapper and member of Psychedelic Boyz, known for his viral “POGI.”
- Waiian A hip-hop and R&B artist from Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2026 class.
- Gaspari Billboard Philippines tipped him for 2026, and “KODAK BLU” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- EZ MIL A Filipino American rapper featured in Spotify’s Filipino Heritage Month showcase.
- MBNel A Filipino American rapper featured in Spotify’s Filipino Heritage Month showcase.
- Ruby Ibarra A Bay Area rapper who co-founded Bolo Music Group to lift Filipino American artists.
- 1096 Gang A Mandaluyong rap crew whose “Pajama Party” became a dance trend.
- P-Lo A Bay Area rapper and producer featured in Spotify’s Filipino Heritage Month showcase.
- Al James A rapper who performed at the 2024 P-pop Music Awards.
House, techno, and dance-pop for when the night is just getting started.
Featured in Dance Floor
Sophia Guerrero
Manila-based DJ and producer Sophia Guerrero was already a name in Southeast Asia’s club circuit when she made her debut on Toolroom’s Leaders Of The New School compilation, one of house music’s best-known labels.
She followed it with “Find The Light” on Munich’s Milk & Sugar Recordings, then her full Toolroom Trax debut, “Body Move,” with vocals from May Marnie.
Start with “Gimme Your Number.”
Also in this mix
- Ian Asher A Filipino American producer whose remix of Jain’s “Makeba” drew hundreds of millions of streams.
- Novocrane “FOMF” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- DJ Love His remix of Ely Buendia’s “Bulaklak Sa Buwan” made Rolling Stone Philippines’ best songs of 2025.
- JUWUBI A Bacolod producer moving between techno, hardcore, and hardstyle.
- Tye Turner A Filipino Australian DJ known for his stage presence with the collective SYBER.
- XONARA A new girl group whose debut single “Tabi” came out in May 2026.
- VVINK FlipMusic’s first P-pop girl group, from Spotify’s RADAR Philippines 2026 class.
- BINI The first Filipino group to perform at Coachella, in 2026.
- SB19 The P-pop group that swept the 2025 P-pop Music Awards.
Hear the next volume first
New volumes and new featured artists arrive every other month. Join The Loom, our free newsletter, using the form below, and we’ll send each one your way.
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