Witnessing one of the most innovative movements to come out of the Philippine Music Industry is an experience that belongs in the history of our culture as Filipinos. The GLOPM or Global Pinoy Music initiative is a collaborative movement spearheaded by Warner Music PH to bridge the gap between domestic and international talent. Notable Filipino artists are paired with producers who are of Filipino descent from around the world, allowing artists from the Philippines to work with Filipino producers who have global influence. The exclusive media event was set on the 7th of October, invited media arms from the Philippines and around the world to witness the launch of this anticipated movement.

The movement’s initial push is composed of a strong lineup of artists and producers, with Leanne & Naara along with August Rigo going first up with their song“Anticipation”. Followed up by Reon and Xerxes Bakker's sweet ode to childhood nostalgia on their song “Back to the times”. The third on the lineup is Quest alongside Kuya Productions with their song “Good Old Days”. Lastly, the biggest surprise which was unveiled was Warners Music’s newest addition to the family, Catriona Gray alongside Cabu Beats with the song “Love Language”.

The media event kicked off with a message from Warner Music PH’s newly appointed Managing Director, Sarah Ismail, who welcomed everyone warmly and delved into the essence of the GLOPM movement: to bring Filipino music to the global stage.

The first release coming from Indie-pop duo Leanne & Narra “Anticipation” was then showcased alongside its producer, Filipino-Canadian August Rigo, a Grammy-nominated producer who has worked with the likes of Iyaz, Justin Bieber, BTS, and Chris Brown. The pre-recorded live performance shown on screen during the event was described by many as having an "infectious guitar melody" that captured that feeling of falling for someone new.

The second track, “Back To The Times” coming from Ormoc-based Pop Indie Duo Reon was produced by another Grammy-nominated producer Xeres Bakker. Xerxes, who is based in Amsterdam, has produced for the likes of Snoop Dogg, Imagine Dragons, Maroon 5, and Cee-Lo Green. The prerecorded live video was shot in the beautiful scenery in Reon’s hometown beachside town Ormoc. The track brings about a sense of nostalgia and longing for the simplicity of childhood.

The third release was from Manila-based Rapper and R&B singer Quest with his track “Good Old Days”. It was produced by multi-platinum winning pop-production duo Kuya Productions who has produced for big names like Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, and Alessa Carra. The pre-recorded live video showcased Quest’s ability to sing alongside a live band, which he noted as one of the things he missed the most during the pandemic. The song’s uplifting message was just right for today’s rather uncertain times.

The fourth and final exclusive first-listen was Warner Musics’ newest artist, globally competitive local talent, Catriona Gray with her debut single “Love Language”.Produced by Filipino-Australian producer Cabu Beats who described working with the winner of the Miss Universe 2018 pageant as a "surreal experience". The participants of the event were allowed to hear the single before it was released the next day, alongside a music video that was filmed during Catriona’s last visit to Australia. Cabu, during the interview segment, described Catriona as a natural, despite it being her first song, she was able to come up with the lyrics and melody in a few days which they recorded within a week.

The air during the event was filled with excitement and awe for what was to come for Filipino music locally and abroad, Artists and Producers alike spoke about the many possibilities this initiative could have for aspiring artists. The team at Warner Music PH, composed of Sarah Ismail, Kelly Mangahas, and Alexander Lim were all keen on sharing their excitement for where this will take the Filipino music scene moving forward. The time of the Philippines only being known for being able to produce talented vocalists has come to pass, as we continue to put forward world-class artists and producers.

About The Author

Trevor has an innate ability to truly relate to a piece of music and gain an empathic understanding of an artist's psyche. As a writer, this has allowed him to give readers a wonderful insight into various artists across many genres. Trevor Sederiosa, also known as TREV, wears many hats — he's a rapper, songwriter, and publicist among many titles. At 19 years old, he is an individual to watch in the music realm.