Category: News

  • Christi Fider Bubbly chanteuse charms with Teka, Teka, Teka

    Christi Fider Bubbly chanteuse charms with Teka, Teka, Teka

    To be a successful singer,” is a dream that not everyone gets to realize. Not with Christi Fider. At first glance, you may think she is just the average millennial whose main preoccupation is the latest fashion, trendy gadgets and having all her YOLO moments enumerated and shared via her vlog. There is more to the pretty young Ms. Fider that meets the proverbial eye.

    The AB History graduate from University of Sto. Thomas was exposed to different sounds and music growing up in a family whose love for anything and everything that has to do with music is deeply rooted. The early musical exposure, thanks to all the tapes and vinyl records played at home, watching concerts and listening to the radio, made Christi realize that performing is what she loves and she thanks God for the gifted of a good singing voice.

    Fider shares: “When I take my shower, usually I sing pop songs. I also like Broadway tunes as well. It depends on my mood, really. Sometimes I have the mood to like indie musicians, the type that ordinary people would not care to listen too, or something they are not familiar with. My music range is very wide. For now, I have a bit of struggle on what genre to specialize since it is dependent on my mood. If the song resonates with me, or I like the artists singing it, I’d probably sing it too.

    ”She loves the voice of Christina Aguilera which she thinks is Aguilera’s strength. She also loves Britney Spears, the way she moves and carries herself. As a kid, she was partial to Sarah Geronimo. Now, she listens to Marion Aunor and Moira dela Torre.

    What made her say yes to sing TEKA, TEKA, TEKA? “I really love the songs written by direk Joven Tan. I know that am quite biased if he’s the composer of a song. It has a good meaning, and has good lyrics as well. What I noticed about today’s songs, the music is different. It is not lyrics-focused. Sometimes they give more emphasis to the sound. With the song Teka, Teka, I felt that many people can relate to it. Since it’s my debut single, I want something that pleasant to listen too because many people today are lonely. If they listen to Teka, Teka, it will give hope and bring joy to other people.

    ”Her feelings now that people are using the song as their TikTok anthem of choice: “Happy. No, ecstatic, I must say. Even if the song has yet to be released but some people already used it for TikTok. Zeus Collins was the first one who made a TikTok for it. Of course, I was surprised when he used it because he is known for dancing. I didn’t imagine that Teka Teka is can be used to dance too. I was surprised when Zeus even choreographed a dance for Teka Teka and the people followed it.

    He sets the standard and people followed it.”She carries on: “I was likewise surprised with the people’s response to the song. They found the song danceable, uplifting and gives a happy vibe and energy. The bubbly pop version suits my personality. In Spotify, my song has an electronic kind of mix to it. But many listeners were able to relate to the pop version”.

    As a new artist, she hopes her fellow millennials see her as: “I want them to see me as someone vibrant and bubbly. I want to bring back the danceable tunes. I want to give the beat and groove back to the people. That is something that everyone needs right. Times are hard and I hope that thru my uh song, I can help relieve the stress of others. Let us bring back the good times.

    ”Teka, Teka, Teka, is written by Joven Tan, interpreted by Christi Fider and released by Star Music. It is now available in Spotify, Apple Music, itunes, Youtube and Deezer.

  • Ava Max Releases Highly-Anticipated Debut Album Heaven & Hell

    Ava Max Releases Highly-Anticipated Debut Album Heaven & Hell

    Ava Max - Heaven and Hell Album

    Global pop sensation Ava Max—who has already accumulated more than 4 billion career streams—has today released her highly-anticipated debut album Heaven & Hell. The record features eight new tracks alongside her previously released hit singles “Sweet But Psycho,” “Who’s Laughing Now,” “So Am I,” “Salt” and “Kings & Queens,” the latter of which spent five weeks at #1 on European airplay and is currently #21 on Top 40 radio.

    Click HERE to buy/stream the album.

    “Heaven & Hell represents light and dark, good and evil, and the devil and angel on your shoulder,” said Ava on the meaning behind the album. “I’m discussing the dualities of the challenges we face each day. Some songs have darkness; other songs are more positive. Heaven & Hell is the middle ground.”

    Ava has also today revealed the video for her track “Naked,” which was directed by Hannah Lux Davis (Ariana Grande, Halsey, Doja Cat).

    “It’s about the real emotions we go through,” said Ava on the meaning behind the track. “If you don’t know my mind, soul, and heart, you’ll never know me by seeing me naked. We are more than our physical bodies. That’s what I wanted to show.”

    Click HERE to watch the video.

    A truly international artist, Ava sealed her pop superstar status with the blockbuster success of the RIAA 3x-platinum certified hit, “Sweet but Psycho.” Currently boasting over 2 billion global streams and counting, “Sweet But Psycho” was named among the New York Times’ “54 Best Songs of 2019,” spent three weeks in the top 10 of Billboard’s “Hot 100,” peaked at #3 at US Pop Radio and earned Ava her first-ever Teen Choice Awards nomination for “Choice Pop Song.” The song was joined by an official video that has more than 600 million views on YouTube. Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning super-producer Cirkut (Maroon 5, Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd) and co-written with Madison Love (Camila Cabello), “Sweet But Psycho” hit #1 on both Spotify’s “United States Viral 50” and Billboard’s “Dance Club Songs” while becoming one of “The Top Most-Shazamed Songs of 2019.” The song’s stateside success followed the track’s remarkable popularity abroad, including four consecutive weeks atop the UK Singles Chart and #1 rankings on charts in nearly 20 countries.

    Dubbed an “Artist You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone, Ava has been feted with a wide range of media attention including high profile features in Vanity Fair, Billboard, FORBES, PAPER, and more. The pop star first took over TV with performances of “Sweet but Psycho” on CBS’s The Late Late Show with James Corden, NBC’s TODAY, and the Ellen DeGeneres Show, as well as a summer performance of her RIAA-certified gold single “So Am I,” on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live. Ava became one of 2019’s most honored performers, including “Best New Artist” nominations at both the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and the 2019 MTV Europe Music Awards. The latter was highlighted by both Ava’s first-ever win for “Best Push Artist” and show-stopping live performances of both “Torn” and “Sweet But Psycho,” streaming now HERE.

    ALBUM TRACKLISTING:

    Side A – Heaven:
    1. H.E.A.V.E.N
    2. Kings & Queens
    3. Naked
    4. Tattoo
    5. OMG What’s Happening
    6. Call Me Tonight
    7. Born to the Night

    Purgatory:
    8. Torn

    Side B – Hell:
    9. Take You To Hell
    10. Who’s Laughing Now
    11. Belladonna
    12. Rumors
    13. So Am I
    14. Salt
    15. Sweet But Psycho

  • Tap In – Saweetie x Post Malone x Dababy x Jack Harlow

    Tap In – Saweetie x Post Malone x Dababy x Jack Harlow

    SAWEETIE UNLEASHES MONUMENTAL RENDITION OF “TAP IN” FEATURING GLOBAL SUPERSTAR AND  MULTI-GRAMMY NOMINATED ARTIST POST MALONE, CHART-TOPPING RAPPER DABABY AND BREAKOUT ARTIST JACK HARLOW

    On a definitive hot streak, multi-platinum selling ICY/Artistry Records/Warner Records rapper/actress/entrepreneur and #1 Top Triller Global Artist with over 45.8M streams, Saweetie will drop an event level rendition for “Tap In” with award-winning hitmakers Post Malone and Da Baby, along with breakout rapper and 2020 XXL Freshman Jack Harlow. The all-star ensemble adds fuel to the fire set ablaze by Saweetie’s flawless flows.

    When “Tap In” was initially released, it quickly went viral and inspired over 4.1 million #TapInChallenge dance videos on TikTok. Saweetie fans across the globe are showing out and putting their own spin on the choreography from the original music video, in which Saweetie flaunts her Pretty B*tch style and delivers high energy moves on an iced-out basketball court. Inspired by fellow Bay Area artist Too Short’s smash “Blow The Whistle,” Saweetie‘s “Tap In” marks her second single to reach Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and has earned her a 2020 MTV VMA nomination for “Song of the Summer.” The undeniable summertime anthem is skyrocketing up the charts, currently at #3 at Urban Radio, Top 10 at Rhythm Radio, and #1 for two weeks on the U.S. and Global Thriller charts. “Tap In” has amassed 58 million streams with placements on numerous playlists, including Spotify’s coveted RapCaviar, Apple Music’s Future Hits, and more.  

    Saweetie also tapped in with SHOWTIME’s Desus & Mero for an exclusive interview. Watch it HERE.  

    The Maxim summer cover star is preparing to release her Pretty B*tch Music project this fall, featuring production by Timbaland and Danja. Pretty B*tch Music is Saweetie‘s self-titled movement, which encourages all women to define their own Pretty. Her empowered meaning of B*tch = Boss. Independent. Tough. CEO. Hyphy. Saweetie also continues to expand her fashion and beauty empire, recently teaming up with PrettyLittleThing for a second “At Home With” collection; all proceeds are being donated to Black Lives Matter. 


    ABOUT SAWEETIE: 
    Flaunting nineties rhyme reverence, fashion-forward fire, and endless charisma, Saweetie—born Diamonté Harper—can go bar-for-bar with the best of ‘em, and fans and critics immediately recognized and responded to that. Within six months, she cracked 100 million cumulative streams, garnered a gold plaque, and earned the praise of Billboard, The FADER, and Noisey as Los Angeles Times pegged her as “one to watch.” Drawing on a passion for poetry and numerous years of rapping in the car, she turned her love for words into vivid verses during 2018 on the High Maintenance EP with her smash hit “ICY GRL” earning RIAA platinum certification. What’s more, 2019 saw the release of Saweetie’s ICY EP, spawning double-platinum viral sensation “My Type” as well as a 2020 BET Awards nomination for Best Female Hip Hop Artist.   

    As a businesswoman, she launched her sold-out ICY jewelry line and partnered with PrettyLittleThing for a 50-piece capsule collection. Meanwhile, everyone from David Guetta to Dua Lipa to Wiz Khalifa to G-Eazy has enlisted her for guest spots. A true fashionista, she has graced the cover of Maxim and Wonderland, in addition to appearing in C.R. Fashion Book, Interview, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar.

  • Smart brings Ellie Goulding’s The Brightest Blue Experience online concert to Filipino fans

    Smart brings Ellie Goulding’s The Brightest Blue Experience online concert to Filipino fans

    Mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. makes it simpler for Filipinos to score tickets and watch Ellie Goulding’s The Brightest Blue Experience along with millions of fans around the world.

    Smart has partnered with LIVENow, a pay-per-view service, which shall broadcast the British singer-songwriter’s one-off exclusive virtual concert live on August 27  from London’s iconic Victoria & Albert Museum.

    The showcase will see Ellie perform tracks from her new album for the first time as well as some fan favorites, accompanied by a special ensemble of live musicians and a very special guest.

    Smart subscribers can buy their ticket and conveniently charge this to their postpaid bill. To do this, subscribers only need to sign up at https://www.live-now.com,  select Pay Your Phone, then choose Smart as mode of payment. Smart Prepaid customers can also conveniently buy their concert pass using their prepaid load.

    Digital concerts in the new normal

    As the world continues to deal with the pandemic situation, online concerts have become a huge source of entertainment for the quarantined public. 

    Through this, Smart continues to bring subscribers closer to their passions, in this case music, by giving them easy access to world-class talents amid the new normal.

    Ellie Goulding’s The Brightest Blue Experience adds to the string of local and international artists that Smart has brought closer to Filipino fans through exclusive experiences and elevated lifestyle perks.

    Country’s fastest mobile data network

    Smart subscribers can enjoy the concert seamlessly powered by the country’s fastest mobile data network, as recognized by third-party analytics firms, such as Ookla and Opensignal.

    Ookla, the global leader in internet testing and analysis, recently named Smart as the country’s fastest mobile data network in the first half of 2020 after it achieved a Speed Score™ of 18.33, with average speeds of 15.94 Mbps for download and 7.57 Mbps for upload, based on 2,810,963 user-initiated tests taken with Speedtest®.    

    On the other hand, Opensignal, an independent mobile analytics firm, reported in its April 2020 Mobile Network Experience Report* for the Philippines that Smart remained ahead of the competition in terms of Video Experience, Upload, and Download Speed Experience, Voice App Experience, Games Experience, and 4G Availability.  

    To know more about The Brightest Blue Experience concert, visit https://smart.com.ph/Pages/smartEllieGoulding.

  • Mark Read releases “Smile Again” and it’s a bop!

    Mark Read releases “Smile Again” and it’s a bop!

    The world may have forever changed the way we interact and the way we celebrate our every days, but 2020 has definitely shaped songwriters’ perspective and unrelenting creativity in writing music while in isolation.

    After releasing “Where Were You” in May 2020, Mark Read of UK/Norwegian boyband A1, continues dropping yet another QUARANTUNE or his latest LSS worthy song last August 7th – and this time, an empowering dance track with a tropical vibes called “Smile Again” – LISTEN HERE (Streaming sites https://orcd.co/smileagainmarkread )
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  • PARADISE RISING releases first mixtape semilucent under newly launched label

    PARADISE RISING releases first mixtape semilucent under newly launched label

    The mixtape culls five rising stars of Filipino descent for a sonically ambitious body of work

    (LOS ANGELES – July 31, 2020) —Today, 88rising’s sister label PARADISE RISING, announces the launch of its first mixtape: semilucent to be distributed by 12Tone Music. The mixtape features songs from five artists curated by the Filipino label: Fern., Jason Dhakal, Kiana V, Leila Alcasid and Massiah.
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  • No Rome Releases 1:45AM feat. Bearface

    No Rome Releases 1:45AM feat. Bearface

    ‘1:45AM’ is the new single from No Rome, featuring Bearface and the latest installment in a series of collaborative tracks from the Filipino alt-pop star, which to date has included singles with Beabadoobee & Jay Som (Hurry Home) and Dijon (Trust 3000).

    Featuring co-production from long-time collaborator George Daniel of The 1975 and legendary UK Garage producer MJ Cole, the single is another example of No Rome’s ability to seamlessly blend genres, working with an impressive variety of collaborators, whilst always retaining his own unique sound and identity.
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  • “Sige Na” by MS/MR SARA is now out with its official music video

    “Sige Na” by MS/MR SARA is now out with its official music video

    msmr-sara-sige-na

    The song “Sige Na” by MS/MR SARA is now out with its official music video which can be view on their official YouTube account and website at www.msmrsara.com

    “Sige Na” is an original composition and arrangement by the band’s keyboardist, Ammie Ruth Suarez. An original Filipino music that celebrates love and its hazards. It showcases our trust with friends and the shyness one succumbs to when we develop an interest to someone. We usually revert to our friends to do the bidding for us and keep our yearning hearts in private. This love story is something many of us experienced. The music video of “Sige Na” says it all.
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  • Globe and 88rising launch new label, PARADISE RISING, to power the next generation of Philippine music

    Globe and 88rising launch new label, PARADISE RISING, to power the next generation of Philippine music

    globe-88rising-paradise-rising

    Globe is teaming up with 88rising, the pioneering music and media collective synonymous with elevating Asian talent from East to West, to launch its first-ever localized label: PARADISE RISING.

    “We are thrilled and excited about this opportunity to put Filipino music on the map and introduce our own brand of Filipino artists,” says Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. “We take pride in our Filipino music, and we are honored to do our part in further unlocking the potential of Asian music in the global music industry by partnering with 88rising to recreate the local music scene with some of the best rising talents.”
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  • Introducing ‘It’s Happee Hour!’ Podcast Where K-Culture Fan and Non-Fans Can Share Their Life Experiences

    Introducing ‘It’s Happee Hour!’ Podcast Where K-Culture Fan and Non-Fans Can Share Their Life Experiences

    Happee Hour

    It’s always been the mission of Happee Hour to share happiness and positivity with people all around the world through various online and offline activities. To spread more good vibes, Happee Hour has launched an exciting new platform—It’s Happee Hour!, a podcast where K-Culture fans and non-fans alike can freely share their stories and life experiences. This comes especially during such an unsettling time where a pandemic has left people struggling to cope with plenty of uncertainties.
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  • Happee Hour Invites You To Be Splendid, Be Extra, & Be Happy With The Launch of Their New Viber Community and Digital Sticker Pack

    Happee Hour Invites You To Be Splendid, Be Extra, & Be Happy With The Launch of Their New Viber Community and Digital Sticker Pack

    It’s an absolute dream for any K-Pop fan to be updated on the latest trends, and behind-the-scenes stories about their favorite Idols. Ever since the launch of Happee Hour’s new viber community, the local K-Pop scene has been abuzz with the latest spoilers about possible upcoming shows in Manila.

    On June 8, Happee Sy- Go, PULP COO and lovingly dubbed by local K-Pop fans as ‘Inang’, personally welcomed fans in the newly launched viber group, “Hi Everyone! Welcome to Our Viber Chat community 😍” accompanied with a small teaser for everyone to look forward to their upcoming Happee Hour stickers. Since then the community has been steadily growing, and fans have been sharing their excitement and love for their favorite K-Pop groups.

    “For the past ten years in the live event industry, I’ve grown more and more in love with K-Pop as a whole, and with the community it created in the Philippines. Filipino fans bring so much energy to shows, and are always so extra, and I wanted to create a platform wherein we can all spread our happiness with each other daily,” Happee shared about the conception of the new platform.

    The Happee Hour Viber Community highlights the special bond that fans have created with each other through their similar interest and love for all things K-culture. The platform also serves as their exclusive ‘in’ on upcoming K-Pop shows, giveaways, and other promos.

    Along with everything that ‘Inang Reyna’ does, the Happee Hour Viber community has introduced their customized Little Happee stickers to bring that extra pizazz in the fans’ daily conversations. Last June 18, fans have started sharing the Little Happee Viber stickers to express their varying reactions to messages.

    Don’t miss out on catching up with your chingus, getting insider updates, and sharing the #HappeeVibes daily by joining the Happee Hour Viber Community (https://vb.me/d815a5), and downloading the exclusive Happee Hour stickers (https://vb.me/dfb682).

    Share this to your chingus as well and let’s all spread #HappeeVibes to one another.

    #HappeeHour #HappeeVibes

  • New Show Date for Slipknot Live in Manila

    New Show Date for Slipknot Live in Manila

    One of the Philippines’ most awaited Metal shows is about to happen as the arrival of today’s most renowned masked entity is imminent. PULP Live World is excited to announce SLIPKNOT LIVE IN MANILA, happening on a new date—January 15, 2021 at the Amoranto Stadium, Quezon City.

    The multi-platinum Grammy-winning act continues to send shockwaves through the global Metal community, having released their widely anticipated sixth LP, We Are Not Your Kind. Released in August 2019 and highlighted by tracks like “The Birth of the Cruel”, “Solway Firth”, and the lead single “Unsainted”, Slipknot’s latest record has unsurprisingly left much of the music world in awe.
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  • Will Hyun Bin Visit Manila As The Newest Smart Brand Ambassador?

    Will Hyun Bin Visit Manila As The Newest Smart Brand Ambassador?

    The wait to see South Korean actor Hyun Bin in the Philippines may be over for fans of the actor as telecommunications giant Smart Communications, Inc. names him its newest brand ambassador.

    The past days saw the Crash Landing On You star take over social media with the release of “Simple. Smart ako.” campaign — the first campaign of the telecom giant to feature a South Korean actor.

    Given his huge fan base in the country, having won hearts since the romantic-comedy hit My Name Is Kim Sam Soon and having fans fall head-over-heels for him in the recent phenomenal Korean drama Crash Landing On You, it is no longer surprising that local brands will tap him.

    “It was natural for us. It would have been crazy for us not to do it,” said Smart senior vice president Jane Basas also in a digital press conference on June 1 (Rappler). Basas also added that signing Hyun Bin on board was a “priceless investment”.

    The TVC and ads rolled out earlier this week are just appetizers for what is yet to come as a second commercial starring Hyun Bin will also be released. Merchandise featuring the actor, including a life-sized standee, will also come out starting June 7.

    In addition to the exciting ads, commercial, and merchandise, Hyun Bin’s yearlong contract with Smart includes one Philippine visit with three events. No definite date has been set as of press time.

  • No Rome Releases Hurry Home featuring Beabadoobee and Jay Som

    No Rome Releases Hurry Home featuring Beabadoobee and Jay Som

    Hurry Home’ is the new single from alt-pop star No Rome featuring fellow Filipino artists Beabadoobee and Jay Som. An uplifting and laid-back track, it is yet another testament to the 22 year old’s talent as a writer, producer, performer and is the second track – following last year’s ‘Trust 3000 feat. Dijon’ – from a series of collaborations, with more to be released over the coming months.
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  • What We Missed on Hailee Steinfeld’s Zoom Chat

    Hailee Steinfeld was able to catch up with media friends from the Philippines and some fans to talk about her latest single “I Love You’s” and how she’s coping up during the quarantine, on Wednesday, April 22nd.

    Steinfeld is known for performing “Flashlight” with the Barden Bellas in Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) and has starred in various films such as Bumblebee, Edge of Seventeen, and comedy series Dickinson. It was then followed by her debut single, “Love Myself” and a series of singles, such as “Starving” which placed the 12th spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

    When asked how what is filming her music video, she shared, “It was a lot of fun. I love making music videos, I sort of feel like that was when my two worlds kind of collide, and when it comes to making the music video of I Love You’s, we had a version of the video that didn’t’ turn out the way we want it to – so when it came to doing it the second time, I figured I would throw my hat it and make it happen and execute my vision the best as I could and I did it with the help of Sarah McColgan, and we were on the same page since day 1.”

    According to her, the song is sort of being in confined space and losing sight of who she was. “It’s realizing that time alone and time for myself is what I needed and that wasn’t such a bad thing. I think the idea of being alone can be daunting or not necessarily desirable for some people and I was in a certain situation where that was the last thing I wanted but I knew it’s what I needed. I think right now a lot of us are in confined spaces, some of us are handling it better than others, while some others are going crazy,” she added.

    She also shared that she has a lot of free time to reflect and focus on herself. She has been trying lots of different things, from learning a bunch of music equipment and spending most of her time in her home studio.

    During the interview, Steinfeld cited that she wants to collaborate with Ed Sheeran if she were to create a song about encouragement.

    She also can’t wait for this to be over and meet all her adoring fans. Special thanks to MCA Music for including Philippine Concerts on the group meeting with Hailee Steinfeld.