The Philippine soundscape can feel limited if your musical horizons are confined to Manila. Fortunately, our island nation thrives with diverse sounds beyond the capital – music emerges from every region, not just one central stream.
Recently, in an effort to support Bisaya music at an institutional level and give Vispop equal leverage to Luzon-based OPM, members of the Cebu Music Community submitted a proposal paper to further supplement the implementation of the existing Bisaya Music Preservation and Promotion Ordinance. Their goal goes beyond mere visibility; they aim to improve production quality and safeguard the rights of Bisaya musicians.
In line with this, Billboard Philippines has curated a list of Cebuano artists – from emcees to folk singer-songwriters – to add to your playlist and support the vibrant Bisaya music scene.
IIICCCYYY
As a rising force in hyperpop, IIICCCYYY (also known as Sepia Times’ Elisha Ang) defies convention. With her debut EP Pretty Pretty and several singles to her name, she’s made her mark with nostalgic early-2000s production and fresh indietronic flair. Her latest single, “Upside Down,” continues her journey into varied tones that showcase her distinctive and confident voice.
Vincent Eco
For Vincent Eco, folk transcends stripped-down sound – he embraces lush and intricate production. Since his 2018 debut album Kiss and Disappear, he’s enriched folk with detailed textures and layered production. On a similar beat, his latest EP, Sa May Baybayon, features Bisaya lyrics sung softly over ocean waves and electronic accents. Eco’s dexterity with multiple instruments and sophisticated compositions make his work genuinely compelling.
Cookie$
Hype-trap isn’t limited to Metro Manila – Cookie$ represents what Filipino hip-hop sounds like when Bisaya rhythms take over. Born in Ormoc and launching his career in Atlanta, he blends worship music, Future, and multicultural influences. Known for viral hits like “Sabak Daddy” and “Beplop,” his full catalog is well worth exploring for those on the hunt for a Bisaya trap fix.
SUGARKISS
Incorporating various elements of art pop and electronic dance music into her work, SUGARKISS is an up-and-coming act in the modern Filipino pop scene. Her strong vocal prowess paired with her signature booming bass and intricate layers of production make for a discography that is truly compelling. While she has yet to release any originals for the year, we can only anticipate this artist’s upcoming releases as exciting projects we cannot wait to hear.
Zeke Abella
You may know Zeke Abella through the humorous content he’s made on social media, but his career as a musician is anything but worth laughing at. In contrast to his bright demeanor as a comedy content creator, his music is stripped back, downbeat in tempo, and filled to the brim with soul. As of this writing, the R&B singer-songwriter has debuted nine singles, each of them earning hundreds of thousands up to millions of streams. While Abella has yet to release this year, he’s an artist to watch out for this year.
The Sundown
Composed of Vincent James Eco (Vincent Eco) and Gino Rosales on guitars (Mandaue Nights), Alden Panes on drums (Thinking Chair), Luigi Balazo on bass (Sepia Times), and Aaron Domingo on vocals(Aaron Domingo), The Sundown is a mishmash of musicians from various branches of artistry who compose a single indie outfit. From their origins as a The Cure cover band, the collective have gone on to win the Wanderbattle competition of 2020 and perform for grand events like the Plus63 Festival.
Jetter
Creating his own niche within the R&B space of Filipino music, Jetter is precisely what your nighttime playlist rotation needs. Born in Mindanao, raised in Cebu, the artist adds his distinct flavor to the Bisaya music scene in his complex and sonically addictive production. Having learned under the wing of a songwriting camp from Zacari and performed as an opening act for A$AP Ferg in 2020, Jetter is definitely an artist worth keeping a tab on.