Alternative pop band Cup of Joe has been one of 2024’s biggest success stories, from scoring chart-topping hits to breaking out of their native Baguio City to perform at some of the country’s biggest music events. On our December 2024 cover story, the band reflect on their beginnings as high school friends just jamming during recess, what makes their songwriting click with a wide audience, their meteoric rise up the charts, and how they are gearing up for the upcoming release of their debut album Silakbo, as well as a pair of headlining shows at the Araneta Coliseum.
In this issue, we also have alternative-pop hitmakers Over October, multilingual P-pop boy group Alamat, fast-rising hip-hop collective Downtown Q’, and young singer-songwriter SHANNi on record as they talk about their journeys, struggles, and successes in the music scene so far.
We also feature the emerging 21-year-old indie rock artist SUYEN, who found her muse in ‘90s female-fronted guitar bands, grunge, and Britpop, and veteran indietronica outfit UDD (formerly Up Dharma Down), who are moving forward in a new synth-pop and techno direction after the departure of their lead singer. While opposites in terms of sound, age, and experience, both acts show the promise of more music to come as they evolve as artists, and redefining what comprises OPM yet again.
Finally in this issue, we discuss how digital distribution services can help anyone — not just artists signed to major record labels — get their music out there, and meet the renowned independent label Offshore Music, which not only was established by rock icon Ely Buendia, but has also signed some of the most respected and globally-acclaimed young Filipino artists in the last eight years, from award-winning art-pop prodigy Ena Mori to international city pop darlings ALYSON.
After a momentous 2024 that saw many Filipino artists from P-pop to hip-hop and beyond make local and global milestones, 2025 is looking to be more exciting for Philippine music. And as Billboard Philippines enters our second year, we look forward to documenting and celebrating all of it.
