The Filipino Solo Artists Giving OPM a New Voice
From heartfelt ballads and alternative pop to hip-hop and contemporary R&B, these Filipino artists are expanding what the local music scene can sound like
- A new generation of solo acts is bringing distinct musical identities and perspectives to Original Pilipino Music.
- Through personal songwriting, genre experimentation, and unconventional approaches to pop, these artists are finding their own space in an increasingly diverse OPM landscape.
OPM has never been confined to one sound, but its current generation of solo artists is pushing that idea further. Rather than settling into familiar formulas, they are exploring different ways to express their musical identities.
With influences spanning alternative music, R&B, hip-hop, and contemporary pop, Filipino musicians are finding new ways to tell stories that resonate with listeners. Their music reflects a generation more willing to experiment with sounds and influences beyond traditional pop.
Whether through intimate songwriting, infectious melodies, or genre-bending production, these nine artists are helping shape the next chapter of Filipino music. Each brings a distinct perspective to the scene, showing just how varied contemporary OPM has become.
Adie
Known for romantic hits like “Paraluman,” “Tahanan,” and “Mahika,” Adie has become a modern OPM mainstay through relatable songwriting, recently reaching another milestone with his first major solo concert.
Wilbert Ross
Wilbert Ross is carving out a musical identity beyond his background in television and entertainment, leaning into heartfelt pop and personal songwriting. His EP Aking Musika reflects that direction, with tracks such as “Avianna” translating personal experiences into music.
Maki
Maki carved out his OPM space through playful storytelling, vibrant pop arrangements, and relatable love songs. Expanding on “Dilaw,” his debut album KOLORCOASTER offers a fresh take on emotional pop.
Inigo Pascual
Inigo Pascual brings a contemporary pop sensibility shaped by his experience across the Philippine and international entertainment industries. Best known for “Dahil Sa’yo,” he continues to explore his singer-songwriter identity through releases such as his 2026 single “Ikaw at Ikaw”.
Clara Benin
Clara Benin brings an introspective touch to OPM with understated vocals and delicate, quiet songwriting. Releases like “muscle memory” and “the one to blame” show her exploring new collaborations while preserving her signature intimate sound.
Skusta Clee
Skusta Clee has helped bring Filipino hip-hop further into the mainstream through his mix of rap, melodic hooks, and genre experimentation. His collaboration with Flow G on “Since Day One” became a chart success in 2026, reinforcing his place in the country’s contemporary rap scene.
Amiel Sol
Amiel Sol has found his footing through emotionally driven ballads that place sincerity at the centre of his songwriting. His breakout single “Sa Bawat Sandali” connected with listeners through its portrayal of steady, reassuring love, establishing him as a rising voice in Filipino pop.
Angela Ken
Angela Ken approaches pop through a softer, conversational style, writing about relationships and the complicated emotions that come with them. Since introducing herself through “Ako Naman Muna,” she has continued developing that sound with songs such as “Pwede Bang Mamaya?”
Fern.
Fern. combines alternative pop, atmospheric production, and contemporary R&B. His upcoming album PERSONA:2000 draws from early-2000s R&B, while “Kahit Na Umulan” bridges musical nostalgia and internet culture.
A new direction for OPM
What makes this generation interesting is not that these artists share one particular sound, but that they are finding success without following the same formula. Their individual approaches challenge the idea that OPM needs to fit into a single musical identity.
Their different approaches to songwriting, production, and performance reflect an OPM scene that continues to make room for new influences and individual expression. This diversity gives listeners more ways to connect with Filipino music, whether through familiar pop sensibilities or less conventional sounds.
As Filipino music reaches more listeners locally and internationally, these solo acts are helping shape a sound that is varied, personal, and unmistakably their own. Their continued evolution also points to an OPM landscape with plenty of room for new voices and creative directions.
Frequently Asked Questions
OPM stands for Original Pilipino Music, encompassing music created by Filipino artists across different genres and styles.
Adie, Maki, Clara Benin, Skusta Clee, Angela Ken, and Fern. are among the artists contributing to the evolving OPM landscape.
Contemporary OPM draws from pop, alternative, R&B, hip-hop, indie, and electronic music, often blending several influences.
Adie, Clara Benin, Maki, Angela Ken, and Amiel Sol are recognised for their personal and emotionally driven songwriting.
By exploring different genres, production styles, and personal narratives, these artists are broadening the sound and stories represented in Filipino music.
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