Billboard Philippines Archives

Billboard Philippines Reveals Hip-Hop Class of 2024 With O Side Mafia, Felip, Illest Morena, Hev Abi & More

April 29, 2024

Hip-hop has always been one of the biggest and most vibrant genres in the Philippines. For decades, the Filipino hip-hop scene has been home to some of the country’s most riveting and innovative acts, unafraid to challenge norms and determined to tell their stories their own way.
These days, hip-hop continues to evolve and expand faster than any other genre in Filipino music history. From rising to the top of music charts and gaining instant virality to molding youth culture, it’s time to bring Filipino hip-hop from the streets to the rest of the world.

This April, Billboard Philippines unveiled their first-ever Hip-Hop issue, featuring eight cover stars that have been changing and reinventing local hip-hop in their own distinct ways. Made up of O Side Mafia, Hev Abi, Tus Brothers, Zae, Felip, Illest Morena, Playertwo and Hellmerry, this is Billboard Philippines’ Hip-Hop Class of 2024.

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Zae performing “Edi Wag” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.

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Throughout this month, the Hip-Hop Class of 2024 recently took center stage as they delve deep into the struggles and successes of Filipino hip-hop.

In Billboard Philippines Volumes, the eight artists walk audiences through their start in the hip-hop scene and look ahead with their aspirations for the genre and themselves, as they look to take over the global stage.

As Al Tus puts it: “Hindi mo mapipigilan. Maririnig talaga tayo ng buong mundo.” [You can’t stop it. Everyone in the world is going to hear us.]

Zae performing “Edi Wag” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.

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As a culmination of Billboard Philippines’ Hip-Hop issue, O Side Mafia, Hev Abi, Tus Brothers, Zae, Felip, Illest Morena, Playertwo and Hellmerry star in a special episode of Billboard Philippines Studios, during which they showcase the true power of Filipino hip-hop.

O Side Mafia — which includes Costa Cashman, Gee Exclsv and Madman Stan — opened the episode with their chart-topping single “GET LOW.” Following them are Al Tus and RudyRude, who make up the hard-core trap duo Tus Brothers, performing “RUN,” and then, Felip — also known as Ken of SB19 — with his commanding voice shined with his performance of “ROCKSTA.” Nearing the first half of the episode, the fierce Zae takes to the stage with “Edi Wag.”

RudyRude and Al Tus of Tus Brothers performing “RUN” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.

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Hellmerry then takes the floor with his booming performance of “Thai Freestyle,” followed by Ivo Impresso, Luke April and Wave P of Playertwo turning up the party with “Shower Music.” Closing out the show is versatile Illest Morena with “Faded (Raw)” and viral hip-hop star Hev Abi with “Alam Mo Ba Girl.”

Hev Abi performing “Alam Mo Ba Girl” in February 2024 at the Billboard Philippines studio in Pasig City, Philippines.

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Watch the Billboard Philippines Studios performances below:

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Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez & More Honored at First Billboard Philippines Women In Music Awards: Photos

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March 26, 2024

Sarah Geronimo, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Moira and more Filipina music icons were given the spotlight at Billboard Philippines’ first-ever Women In Music event, held on Friday (March 22) at Samsung Hall in SM Aura, Taguig City.The evening marked the first-ever Women In Music event held in the Philippines, after Billboard Philippines officially launched in the country in October 2023. Following in the tradition of the Billboard Women In Music event held annually since 2007, Billboard Philippines will recognize and honor notable women in the Philippine music industry every year as well.

The event was hosted by actress, singer and entertainer Jolina Magdangal, who commenced the festivities shortly after welcoming remarks by Billboard Philippines Publisher Anne Bernisca and a three-song set by acclaimed pop-rock artist Barbie Almalbis.
The first two awards to be given out that evening were both fan-voted, with Belle Mariano winning the Listeners’ Choice award for her song “Bugambilya,” and Morissette bringing home the People’s Choice award. All the awards given out that evening were presented by men in the music industry, to highlight the mutual respect, support and admiration among genders in the Philippine music scene.
Young indie artist Zild went onstage to introduce his friend and peer Ena Mori, whose boundary-pushing pop earned her this year’s Rule Breaker award. The 2023 SXSW Festival performer then gave a compelling rendition of her new single “Heartache Generation,” giving the audience a taste of her offbeat-yet-catchy sound.
Afterward, the P-pop fans in the audience were thrilled by the presence of SB19’s Stell, who then introduced the recipients of the Rising Star award: fellow P-pop trailblazers BINI. The eight-piece girl group then launched into the debut performance of “Salamin Salamin” (Mirror Mirror) from their newly released EP Talaarawan (Diary), showcasing their precise choreography and infectious melodies.
Influencer and online sensation Mimiyuuuh then introduced Hitmaker awardee: singer-songwriter and best friend Moira. The most-streamed Filipina solo artist for seven consecutive years also performed “Before It Sinks In” from her multiplatinum 2018 debut album Malaya (Free).
Next, singer and actress Jackie Lou Blanco accepted the Icon award on behalf of her mother, Filipina music legend Pilita Corrales. The Icon award was presented by Billboard Philippines Editor-In-Chief Bret Jackson.
The Powerhouse award was given to the bestselling Filipino music artist of all time, “Asia’s Songbird” Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, for her enduring presence and influence on succeeding generations of artists and in the music industry as a whole. The award was presented by her husband and Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM) president Ogie Alcasid, an accomplished singer-songwriter himself. She then serenaded the audience with a heartfelt cover of Paramore’s “The Only Exception,” a staple of her ongoing Regine Rocks concert series.
Finally, the first Billboard Philippines Woman of the Year award went to Sarah Geronimo, fresh from her appearance at the Billboard Women In Music event in Los Angeles last March 7 as the first Filipina Global Force awardee. Husband, producer and actor Matteo Guidicelli presented the award to an elated Geronimo, who then brought the house down with a performance of two of her most memorable songs, “Dati-Dati” (Before) and “Ikot-Ikot” (In Circles), before host Magdangal closed the celebration with a toast to all women in the music industry who inspire and empower their fellow Filipinas to pursue their dreams as artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and other key roles in music.
All in all, the very first Billboard Philippines Women In Music event was a rousing success. Not only was it the pioneer Billboard Women In Music event to be held in the country, but it also marked the first time in which women were exclusively and properly recognized for their achievements and impact in the Philippine music industry. There are many more who deserve to be honored, and Billboard Philippines shall ensure that they are represented, celebrated, and remembered in the years to come.
See photos from the inaugural event below.
–This article was written by Jason Caballa for Billboard Philippines

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