The song “Mundo” by the IV
of Spades (pronounced "four
of spades”) takes the lead as the most viewed live performance music
video on 105.7 Wish Channel on YouTube.
The song has already reached more than 111 million views, perhaps the
very first Filipino artist to have reached hundred million views on
YouTube. The monster hit also peaked #1 on
Spotify Global Charts and #1 on Spotify Philippines Daily Charts. Interestingly, the band
members, composed of Zild Benitez, Blaster Silonga, Badjao de Castro and Unique
Salonga, are all sons of musicians and wears 1970’s-inspired outfits. Their musical style has been described as pop and funk rock and one factor that makes them popular are their music videos which are visually impressive and very contemporary and I dare
say giant network like ABS-CBN can learn a thing or two from these young
artists and get away with their old-fashioned and outdated music videos. The
band has been nominated for several musical awards including 2018 MTV European
Music Awards for Best Southeast Asia Act.
But In May last year, their lead vocalist Unique Salonga left
the group to pursue a solo career but it
did not interrupt Zild, Blaster and Badjao to continue their passion and quest for their band to succeed,
creating their own brand of music. The breakup stunned their growing fans but somehow the three managed to make it on their own, gaining grounds in the local music scene. In the recent 4th Wish 107.5 Music Awards where they won
the Best Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year and Group of the Year, the trio performed their monster hit “Mundo”
and left the audience in awe with their jaw dropping and upbeat performance,
proving that they can do justice to the song without their former front man.
The group also performed at
one of the biggest event in the region Clockenflap at Central Harborfront in
Hongkong late last year, along with acts from all over the world including Interpol, David
Byrne, Khalid, and Cigarettes After Sex. They have just released their debut
album called “ClapClapClap” that includes brand new music like “Juliana,” “Dulo
ng Hangganan,” “Come Inside My Heart” as well as their previously-released
singles "In My Prison," "Bata, Dahan-Dahan!," and
"Take That Man." Their earlier
songs, such as fan favorite "Mundo," are not part of the album. With their upcoming tour underway that includes some cities in the U.S.,
the trio is out to make a name not only in the local music scene but to
penetrate the international market as well.
