Inherently Queer: Jason Dhakal As An Independent Artist

Known for his soulful blend of R&B, neo-soul, and jazz, Jason Dhakal has carved out a distinct space within the Philippine music scene by refusing to separate his artistry from his identity.

For the 26-year-old Filipino-Nepalese singer-songwriter, his songs act as an extension of his life — his relationships, his memories, and the people who matter most to him. And because, as he puts it, his life is “inherently queer,” so too is the music he creates.

Living in his two-bedroom apartment with his cat and openly being with his boyfriend, these ordinary comforts which once seemed impossible are now made true for him through a career built around making music that reflects exactly who he is. And as conversations around Pride continue to shift beyond just visibility toward authenticity and self-expression, Dhakal represents a generation of Filipino musicians who understand that identity is not something to hide or explain. It simply exists in the art they make.

Following the release of his latest single, “Play,” Dhakal has entered a new chapter as an independent artist, embracing a creative process that feels like a homecoming. Free from commercial expectations and the heteronormative pressure to fit industry formulas, he has rediscovered the joy of making music entirely on his own terms — allowing his voice, his experiences, and his queerness to shape every lyric without compromise.

In this exclusive interview with Billboard Philippines, Dhakal reflects on how his life and queerness shape his music and how his music, in turn, have built his life now: a proudly queer, independent artist.

Billboard Philippines: As a queer Filipino artist creating music in the R&B space, how has your identity shaped the way you express yourself creatively and emotionally through music?

Jason Dhakal: For me, it’s everything. How I write music is just how I write about my life. My queerness is a part of my life — and my cute boyfriend and all my friends. It definitely shows into the music that I make because my life is inherently queer. It’s super influenced my music.

What does it mean to reinterpret iconic OPM classics like “Para Sa Akin,” “Awitin Mo, Isasayaw Ko,” and “Kailan?” through your own perspective as a queer artist?

When I was working on those songs, I never really thought about reinventing [them]. It was more about these songs I grew up with. I grew up in Oman, in the Middle East. We’d have Filipino community events and I would just hear it there all the time. It’s something that’s been in my mind ever since then. I just love these songs growing up and I love R&B music. So, I wanted it to do my own version of it, in a way that feels honest to me.

In 2024, you represented the Philippines at the SXSW Showcase. What was it like bringing Filipino artistry to an international audience, and what did the experience teach you about the global reach of OPM today?

We do have a global reach now. I feel like it’s [because of] TikTok and our phones. It’s made it in such a level for everyone to be able to see your music. It was really interesting when I went through South by Southwest because it was a different crowd. It’s not the usual crowd that I’m performing for. I think one thing that I was so interested in was how they really enjoyed my jazz music, the more jazz-leaning songs that I have. It makes me want to create more of that because it’s something that’s really deep into me and something that I really want to do more and share more. 

What does it mean to you to be part of a new generation of queer Filipino artists whose stories and identities are becoming more visible and celebrated in today’s time?

I don’t know. I’m just really grateful. I didn’t think that this would be how my life would end up. I didn’t really [have] an easy time growing up queer. For the later years, for it to be so easy, smooth, nice, and light, it’s super nice. It means a lot. Definitely. I got to truly be myself. I got to have a two-bedroom apartment. I got to have my cat. I got to make music. You know, these things mean so much to me and have been given to me through you listening and through music. So, it definitely means so much.

As a newly independent artist, has creative independence changed the way you approach self-expression, especially as a queer musician navigating the industry today?

It didn’t really change. It’s more I went back. I went back to how I first started making music. Just releasing what I want to release without thinking about [whether it’s] commercial enough or without straight men behind me saying, “You should do this one. You should talk in Tagalog more. Make a Tagalog song.” Regardless of everything, I started making music because I enjoyed it. It’s rewarded me because of that. So, I just want to keep doing that format of just releasing what I enjoy. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, who cares? You know, I still love music.

After entering this new chapter, are there any upcoming projects, performances, or collaborations that your fans can look forward to?

You know what? I’m just going to say it here. I have a new project coming out really soon. I think sometime this summer. It’s going to be June or July. I don’t even know yet. But I just want to share that. I have a new project out. It’s going to be eight or nine tracks. It’ll be a summery one. It’s going to be a “sunsetty” one. It’ll be for the baddies who want to lounge, be in a resort, lay down, feel the sun and tan, get a drink, whatever. It’s that type of mood.

In relation to Billboard Philippines’ Pride Month digital issue, what does the phrase “Filipino Pride Amplified” mean to you as both a Filipino and queer artist?

I love both my queerness and being Filipino. But when they’re both together, do we have rights? Do we have these things that give us pride? At this point, what year is it? It’s how many years of the same thing and no rights for us — for queer people, for trans people, for whoever. The little things. How queer people, if one of them gets sick in the hospital, you can’t visit that person because [they’re] legally not your family. Why do we not have that? In QC, Mayor Joy [Belmonte], she’s eating it up. I think other places are doing it, but I think it should be nationwide.

_{This interview was edited for brevity and clarity.}

_{Photographed by Kieran Punay. Art and Fashion Direction by Gelo Quijencio. Styling by Ruru Christian of H&M. Makeup by Team Nix Institute of Beauty Services.}

_{Hair and Makeup for Jason Dhakal: Jazmeen Zapanta-Rebong.}

_{Production Design by Arj Madarang. Production by Liezel Restauro.}

_{Special thanks to H&M Philippines.}