ABS-CBN: More diverse, more relatable songs in 2021
Iñigo Pascual is doing a pop reimagination of Air Supply’s big hit, All Out Of Love, and netizens are abuzz on how he and music producer Moophs will bring a new flavor to one of the world’s greatest love songs.
All Out Of Love is just one of the numerous songs ABS-CBN Music is producing for 2021, with hundreds of original tracks, local and international collaborations, and re-imagined versions to launch under its various labels.
Welcoming the year is Old School Records, the new Kapamilya music label with songwriter-producer Kikx Salazar at the helm.
“Old School Records’ vision is to produce music that would be more reminiscent of previous eras, focusing on the wide sounds of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. It is not genre dependent,” Kikx said.
The label kicks off with newcomer KVN’s pop-vintage ballad Pwede Na Ba. It also plans to introduce more up-andcoming artists and a variety of sounds within the year.
ABS-CBN’s Star Music label has just released the novelty single Maga Ako, Manas Ako by Ogie Alcasid’s alter egos Eydie Waw and The Wawettes, a highly-relatable song about one’s experience of gaining weight during the pandemic. Also, John Rendez’s Not Superman single, an alternative pop track that talks about the extra mile people go through to help others despite limitations.
The label has also joined forces with the Archdiocese of Manila for Jamie Rivera’s We Give Our Yes rendition, the official mission song of The 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines celebration happening this year.
Recently, the youthful label Star Pop introduced new songs by Vance Larena (Panghabang Baby) and Kokoy de Santos
(Lagi-Lagi). It also scored a viral Tiktok hit in the song Magandang Dilag by JM Bales and KVN, which now has 2.6 million streams on Spotify.
ABS-CBN’s rock/alternative label, DNA Music, likewise has several fresh releases in January, including Multo by Unit 406, Lumapit by Chiquerella and Loko by Cool Cat Ash. Tarsier Records, meanwhile, has confirmed that aside from All Out Of Love, it will have a series of Air Supply remakes spread out throughout 2021. But perhaps ABS-CBN Music’s mission to be more inclusive is most felt in the latest Himig Handog, the #11thHimigEdition, the ongoing songwriting competition.
“Himig dropped the ‘love’ theme to broaden its scope. This time, we have themes about poverty and mental health, and we also have a Vispop song. We are looking for well-written songs that will truly showcase the Filipino talent,” ABS-CBN creative director Jonathan Manalo said.
Music fans will soon find out which of the Top 12 song finalists best embodies what Filipino music is today.