December 29, 2024 | 12:00am
We closed 2023 with Juan Karlos suspended in the air with his Ere and now we are closing 2024 with alt pop act Dionela who scored big with Sining featuring R&B star Jay R. He is now on the solo route with the No. 1 selling Marilag. Between them are the music of some of the most exciting music discoveries ever and of long-time favorites who continue to dominate the hit lists year after year.
We still had the usual hitmakers from overseas like Taylor Swift, Cruel Summer; Bruno Mars, Die with a Smile with Lady Gaga; Ariana Grande, We Can’t Be Friends and others. But not a lot of them compared what the Pinoys accomplished. It was, in truth a superb year for original Filipino music. And I am happy that local acts mostly outsold the foreigners in their own turf and they also filled up concert halls.
Leading the pack was the girl group BINI which finally broke through to the big time after five years of trying. They had a sparkling summery sound that kids absolutely loved. Their hits like Pantropiko, Cherry on Top, Salamin Salamin and Karera earned them recognition here and abroad, including the MTV EMA for Best Asian Act. They also sold out the Smart Araneta Coliseum for two nights.
BINI was not the only one who scored big in the concert scene. In fact, live entertainment had an excellent year in 2024. We had great foreign acts like Laufey, Akon, Ne-yo, Enhypen, Stray Kids, 2NE1 and Dua Lipa but I am, of course, proudest of the local guys.
Juan Karlos had the MOA in SRO mode. So did December Avenue and Ben&Ben. Arthur Nery was at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. So was SB-19. Katrina Velarde packed the New Frontier Theater. So did newcomer Maki. Even long-established idols like Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Raymond Lauchengco and Mark Bautista had great turns on stage. Let us wish for more of these in 2025.
As for the hits, here according to Billboard Philippines are the most downloaded, the most streamed, the most performed and most listened to songs in 2024. There are new names like the reclusive hip-hop idol from Morato, Hev Abi and familiar ones like Up Dharma Down whose Tadhana has been in the top rungs of the hit lists for almost a decade. Check them out.
Maki with TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan.
Palagi by TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan; Dilaw by Maki; Pantropiko by BINI, Salamin, Salamin, also by BINI; Sining by Dionela ft. Jay-R; Walang Alam by Hev Abi; Babaero by gins&melodies ft. Hev Abi; Alam Mo Ba Girl, again by Hev Abi; Tingin by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso; Take All the Love by Arthur Nery; Makasarili, Malambing by Kristina Dawn and Hev Abi; Tadhana by Up Dharma Down; Karera by BINI.
Saan? by Maki; Lil Kasalanan Shortie by Hev Abi; Miss Miss by Rob Daniel; Mahika by Adie and Janine Berdin; Get Low by OSIDE MAFIA BRGR; Heaven Knows (This Angel Has Flown) by Orange and Lemons; YK by Cean Jr.; Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay by Ben&Ben; Ikaw Lang by Nobita; Romcom, also by Rob DanieI; Unti-unti by UDD; and Marikit sa Dilim by Juan Caoile, Kylewash and Jawz.
You can check out Billboard Philippines for the rest of the hit tunes by which we will remember this passing year.
And before I forget, 2024 was also the year when Jose Mari Chan succumbed to public demand. No more sneaking around or peeping from corners for our Mr. Christmas. After demurring for years, he finally launched the earliest celebration of the season in the world by performing Christmas in our Hearts live in a mall show.
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