Without a doubt, 2025 was another stellar year for Filipino music, defined by artists from all sorts of sounds and niches within our local scene.
From countless streams to phenomenal live shows here and abroad, these artists brought OPM to heights greater than ever before, driving innovation and continuously reinventing what our music is and can be. And at forefront of it all are a number of acts whose musicality and discography have reached millions, with each hit song under their names unequivocally declaring them as certified chart-toppers of the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 and Top Philippines Songs.
Today, Billboard Philippines presents six of these top Filipino artists — the undeniable chartbreakers who defined and redefined OPM this year with their various hits and viral releases.
Hellmerry
If you’ve been constantly tuned in to Filipino hip-hop this year, then you definitely listened to Hellmerry once or a hundred times. The Billboard Philippines Hip-Hop Class of 2024 alumnus continued to make his fiery mark on the rap game this year, effectively solidifying his status as one of its top players with his Filipino Music Awards-nominated single “My Day,” while spicing everything up with a string of equally unforgettable new releases such as “Blue Maserati” and “D14U.”
Earl Agustin
Making the hearts of millions of Filipinos skip a beat or two this year, Earl Agustin proved to be one of this year’s most exciting breakthroughs in OPM, cementing his status as a certified chart-topper with his No. 1 single “Tibok” and other such hits as “Dalangin” and “Dito Sa’kin.” With his soulful voice and romantic balladry, the singer-songwriter further proved his sonic impact with Filipino listeners by making everyone feel the lover further with his debut album Himig At Pag-Ibig,
December Avenue
For nearly two decades now, December Avenue have made a name for themselves as one of OPM’s standout pop-rock bands. Their songs touched the hearts of Filipinos, whether they may be broken and still healing or have finally found the one for them. Following up on a successful repeat of their 15th anniversary concert late last year, the band continued to showcase just how fluent and adept they are in love as a language, as their 2022 single “Saksi Ang Langit” found resurgence and resonance with a younger generation, catapulting them to the top of the charts.
Shanti Dope
Unleashing a barrage of singles this year. Shanti Dope continued to showcase why he’s one of the top rappers of this generation. From the power of his latest single “8000” to the viral resurgence of his 2022 single “City Girl,” the Young God Records hitmaker was one of the most dominant acts this year, further strengthening his reputation as a renowned figure in Filipino hip-hop.
Arthur Nery
Undeniably, Arthur Nery has been one of the biggest Filipino singer-songwriters throughout the first half of the decade and 2025 is definitely his biggest year yet. Hits such as 2021’s “Isa Lang” and “Take All The Love” continue to retain their strong presence on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 to this day, while the R&B artist’s recent team-up with rap veteran Loonie, “Palaisipan,” proves that no matter what year it may be, Arthur Nery will surely sonically and lyrically resonate with millions.
Cup of Joe
Whether you discovered them through “Tingin” and “Estranghero,” or have been haunted by “Multo” in the past year, Cup of Joe are bonafide storytellers who know just how to tug at our heartstrings with each song they put out. Alongside the uncontested chart-topping success of “Multo” in the Filipino music sphere this 2025, the alternative pop band have also proven their impact through the rest of the songs on their Filipino Music Awards-winning debut album Silakbo, accompanied by the celebratory single “Sandali” and various sold-out concerts here and abroad to their name.