OPM IS HERE TO STAY

OPM is alive and kicking, giving the local music scene a vibrant mood with successive viral hits.   "Dalagang Pilipina" by new group Almo$t is the current toast of the town alongside with "Buwan," and "Mundo."

"Wish 107.5 FM mobile Bus” is instrumental in helping local artists showcase their music. It has become so popular, enjoying massive support from its 5.5 million subscribers on YouTube.  It's beyond conventional, providing platforms where local artists are invited to perform live and their performances are posted on Wish 107.5 YouTube channel.  The platform boosted music careers of new breed of artists like IV of Spades, Shanti Dope, TJ Monteverde, Marc Carpio to name a few.  They also give awards annually, aimed to pay tribute to acts and artists who have given significant contributions in the music scene. 

Here are three of the most viewed live performances on Wish 107.5 Mobile Bus (covers of foreign songs are excluded).

1) "Mundo" (IV of Spades) - 113,853,780 views
2) "Bakit Ba Ikaw" (Michael Pangilinan) - 109,589,371
3) "Akin ka na Lang" (Morissette Amon) - 79,790,782

"Dalagang Pilipina” by Almo$t is on its way to the top gaining 50,743,478 views in just 5 months. The song has elicited massive memes online.

Inigo Pascual’s monster hit “Dahil Sa'yo” is still one of the most viewed in the music-lyrics category with  93,115,246 views.   Other popular music videos includes old and new hits like Sam Concepcion’s “Dati.” Yeng Constantino’s “Ikaw,” KC Tandingan’s “Mahal Ko o Mahal Ako,” and “Kathang Isip" by Ben&Ben.  24 year old Moira de la Torre writes her own songs, creating her own style which sits well with millenials.

It is interesting to note that record labels have found alternative ways to combat poor CD sales using digital platforms and earning through commercials.

JK Labajo has his own YouTube channel with more than 300k subscribers, boosted by his monster hit “Buwan.”  The song had only 57 million views at the start of the year but jumped to 113 million views in barely 5 months. 

OPM has widened its audience in the region eliciting various covers by foreign wannabes.  Moster hits like “Buwan,” “Akin Ka Na Lang,” and “Take That Man” elicit more "reaction videos" from foreign vloggers.

Young and vibrant Funk Pop/Rock group IV of Spades continue to shine even without their former front-man.  These young and talented lads write their own songs and has already performed in Hongkong and Indonesia. They are currently on national tour and will soon invade some key cities in the U.S.

Kpop vs OPM?

I admit that I do like a few KPop songs but I have never been a big fan of them.  With the recurring popularity of OPM music, be it rock, pop or funk rock, who needs Kpop?  Let’s support Original Pilipino Music.