SB19, BINI, Cup Of Joe, And More Named Billboard Philippines’ Top 10 Artists Of 2026 (So Far)
As we cap off the first half of the year, Billboard Philippines runs down ten local artists making the biggest noise with their overall impact in the music industry.
Courtesy of SB19, BINI, and Cup of Joe
Courtesy of SB19
With the first half of 2026 already in the books, the landscape of Filipino music is only getting bigger.
From powerhouse artists and barrier-breaking global performances to unstoppable music releases and chart-topping mainstays — these artists have proved that OPM is only continuing to grow and reach greater heights.
In what we can describe as a period of renaissance, where Filipino music is now being recognized globally more than ever, these artists across various genres have connected with listeners through their artistry in their own ways.
Taking into account overall performance — including chart data, streaming and sales figures, and cultural impact — these artists have made a statement through their music, with how it continues to resonate and amplify the daily lives of Filipinos across the country.
Billboard Philippines presents the Top 10 local artists that have shaped the sound halfway through the year.
10. Rob Deniel
Starting strong on this list is Rob Deniel, who continues to connect with Filipino listeners through his viral renditions of OPM classics such as “Nandito Ako” and “Ikaw Sana.” The “RomCom” singer continues to dominate the space in OPM that bridges nostalgia and contemporary pop. Truly, he continues to prove himself as one of this generation’s leading artists and one of OPM’s most compelling voices today.
9. BINI
Fresh off their history-making Coachella performance that brought Filipino music to the world stage, BINI undoubtedly continue to break barriers. The start of the year saw the Nation’s Girl Group usher in the Signals era with new music such as “Unang Kilig,” “Blush,” and “Step Back,” alongside a world tour that allowed them to reach even more Blooms around the world.
8. December Avenue
December Avenue remain on the Billboard Philippines charts with fan-favorites such as “Saksi Ang Langit” and “Bulong” resonating with many listeners across the country. This year, the Filipino rock band also brought their music to international shores through their ‘POLARIS: Beneath The Same Sky’ tour, which saw them perform in places such as the UK, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia.
7. IV OF SPADES
When IV OF SPADES made their much-awaited comeback with “Aura,” it only became a stepping stone for even bigger things to come. The indie-alternative quartet went on the road for the ‘Andalucia’ Philippine Tour, performing their classics and songs from their acclaimed sophomore album, Andalucia. The record also gave birth to an unexpected hit for the band with “Kabisado.”
6. SB19
SB19 continue to carry their momentum into the first half of 2026. If 2025 proved their dominance, the Kings of P-pop have only elevated themselves further. Following the epic conclusion of their Simula at Wakas era in April, the group entered a new chapter with Wakas at Simula, while also gearing up for highly anticipated global performances at major music festivals, such as Lollapalooza in the US and Summer Sonic in Japan.
5. Skusta Clee
Skusta Clee has surely dropped a massive hit early this year, with his track “Since Day One” featuring Flow G becoming one of the biggest Filipino rap songs of the year so far. The track steadily climbed the Billboard Philippines charts after its release, eventually becoming a certified chart-topper. This momentum continues to showcase the growing influence and impact of Filipino hip-hop in today’s OPM scene.
4. Ben&Ben
This year, Ben&Ben released their latest single “Duyan” and went back to their music catalog to release reimagined versions of their songs “Autumn” and “Lifetime,” with the latter reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Philippines charts. Continuing to celebrate their connection with their fans, the folk-pop band is set to bring their music back to the stage with ‘Saranggola: The Concert’ later this year.
3. fitterkarma
fitterkarma closed 2025 on a high note, dominating the Billboard Philippines charts with “Kalapastangan” reigning supreme. Building on that success, the indie-rock chart-toppers continued their momentum with the releases of “Aswang sa Maynila” and “maryclaire.” Joining the lineups of the biggest music festivals in the country, the band is only getting started.
2. Arthur Nery
In May, Arthur Nery embarked on an emotional journey through love and romance with his third studio album, Fictions You Produce, an eight-track record that further showcased his growth as a songwriter. All the while, the R&B/neo-soul singer’s 2021 breakout hit “Isa Lang” continued to be a mainstay, spending over 100 weeks on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 chart.
1. Cup of Joe
Picking up right where they left off from last year, Cup of Joe continued their meteoric rise in 2025, dominating the Billboard Philippines charts with their chart-topping hit “Multo.” This year, the Baguio-based hitmakers took their Stardust era on the road with a local tour and outside the country, along with their homecoming show, ‘SANDALI Fest,’ which made them the first OPM act to stage a solo concert at the Philippine Sports Stadium.
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Cup of Joe ranked No. 1, driven by their hit “Multo,” a local and international tour, and their historic solo concert at the Philippine Sports Stadium.
The Top 10 includes Cup of Joe, Arthur Nery, fitterkarma, Ben&Ben, Skusta Clee, SB19, IV OF SPADES, December Avenue, BINI, and Rob Deniel, ranked by chart and cultural impact.
Billboard Philippines evaluated chart performance, streaming and sales figures, and cultural impact to determine how each artist connected with Filipino listeners this year.
BINI made history with a groundbreaking Coachella performance, then launched their Signals era with new singles and a world tour that expanded their global fanbase.
Cup of Joe became the first OPM act to headline a solo concert at the Philippine Sports Stadium, capping their SANDALI Fest and international Stardust tour.
