MANILA, Philippines – After launching his solo single “surreal” in February, SB19’s justin soon released a cover of the Maroon 5 hit “sunday morning,” further proving he could stand on his own as a pop artist. Two months since his debut, what has he learned about himself as a musician? In this latest episode of Rappler Talk Entertainment, we speak with justin at the Rappler HQ about his music, his fans, Visar Society, and what he’s looking forward to for the rest of the year. Watch the episode live on Tuesday, April 16, at 3 pm or catch it on Rappler’s socials. – Rappler.com ..read more

MANILA, Philippines – At 6 pm on a Thursday evening, R&B and neo-soul artist UMI invited her fans to meditate. April 11 was the evening of the Manila leg of her Talking to the Wind Tour. But before that, a much more intimate, exclusive affair for VIP ticket holders. UMI asked us to sit in a circle on the floor with her and be still for a moment. For around 40 minutes, she guided us on a journey into our souls through breathing exercises. Breathe in: stomach, heart, and breathe out. Play Video “Just make sure you make a little time for yourself everyday. Tomorrow, the next day, even i ..read more

MANILA, Philippines – Hev Abi’s music has found its way into the playlists of millions of Filipinos at the speed of light.  Play Video He isn’t just a one-hit wonder. At one point, he had even taken up six spots on the Spotify Philippines chart, registering hits like “Babaero,” “Walang Alam,” “Alam Mo Ba Girl,” “Makasarili Malambing,” “Sumugal,” and “Lil Kasalanan Shortie.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Spotify PH (@spotifyph) It’s clear that Hev Abi has already figured out how to charm his audience – even those who weren’t fans of hip-hop prior to coming across ..read more

I first heard James Taylor in 1976, when I was in second year high school.  I wore my hair longish, long enough to look cool without getting in trouble with our class adviser. It was the year I started to learn to play the guitar. I didn’t have a guitar of my own and couldn’t afford one.  I borrowed guitars from friends or neighbors, not discriminating between a nylon stringed guitar, which was easy on the fingertips, or a battered locally-made jumbo passed from tambay to tambay with steel strings bought from the neighborhood hardware store. The words to James Tay ..read more

As Mr. Taylor wrapped up his fourth encore with “You Can Close Your Eyes,” I wondered how much of the night my mother will remember. My mother suffered a stroke two years ago, and it has been hard for her to retain new memories. The whole ordeal has made life difficult for all of us in the family, as back then she still had one year to go before she could avail of early retirement. And now one year after her retirement, it has not been easy grounding her in the present, as she forgets most things mere seconds after they happen. Of course, I can’t complain. I’m grateful just for the fact that s ..read more

MANILA, Philippines – Bangsamoro pop singer Shaira Moro announced that her viral hit song “Selos” will be returning to online streaming platforms after her team reached an agreement with the camp of Australian singer-songwriter Lenka.  Play Video The update came weeks after “Selos” was taken down from all online streaming platforms after Shaira’s team acknowledged that the track uses the melody of Lenka’s 2008 song “Trouble Is A Friend.” At the time, Shaira’s agency AHS Productions clarified that they voluntarily removed “Selos” from all online streaming platforms as they are currently i ..read more

LONDON, United Kingdom – ABBA’s Bjorn Ulvaeus reflected on the Swedish pop group’s reach and longevity as he joined Mamma Mia! cast and creators for the musical’s 25th anniversary celebrations in London on Saturday, April 6. Saturday also marked 50 years since ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest final in Brighton, United Kingdom, in 1974 with the song “Waterloo”, bringing them to global attention.  “About this time in the evening, exactly 50 years ago, I was standing on another stage in another city here in the UK,” Ulvaeus said. “It’s strange to think that if we hadn’t won … I most prob ..read more

SEATTLE, USA – Fans and admirers from around the world descended on Seattle this week to pay tribute to Kurt Cobain 30 years after the troubled songwriter and lead singer of the seminal grunge rock band Nirvana took his own life. Juan Prado Teno, a drummer from Chile and member of the fan group Nirvana Latino, said he identified with the raw energy of Cobain and Nirvana’s music, as well as messages in their work vigorously denouncing homophobia, misogyny and racism. “Nirvana for me is the philosophy to respect women, do it yourself, rock and roll. That’s to me, Nirvana and the legacy of C ..read more

MANILA, Philippines – Composed of members Alexa, Angela, Charice, Charlotte, and Sophia, KAIA takes its name from the combination of the Cebuano word kinaiya (inner being) and the Filipino word kaya (capability to get through obstacles). The P-pop girl group made its official debut on April 8, 2022, with the single “Blah Blah.” The group has then gone on to release several other digital singles, such as “Dalawa,” “TURN UP,” and “5678.” Since its debut, fans believe KAIA has consistently stayed true to its name – showing immense perseverance to weather through whatever adversities come their wa ..read more

MANILA, Philippines – Getting a ticket to P-pop girl group BINI’s upcoming BINIVERSE concert has become a challenge for the group’s fans, also known as Blooms, as tickets for the group’s first solo show on June 28 at the New Frontier Theater sold out in just two hours. The demand for the concert prompted BINI’s agency, Star Music PH, to add a second concert day on June 29. Tickets for the new show will go on sale Tuesday, April 9.  P-pop girl group BINI is extending its "BINIVERSE" concert for a second day on June 29 at the New Frontier Theater. Tickets for the new show go on sale April ..read more