8 Filipino American Musicians Taking the Music World by Storm
In an industry that flourishes on new talent and diversity, the rise of Fil-Am musicians has been an excellent refresher. As these eight remarkable Filipino-American artists take centerstage, they are paving the way for future generations of artists.
Combining their rich cultural heritage with modern sounds, these Fil-Am artists are captivating listeners worldwide, taking the music scene by storm.
In this feature, we’ll introduce you to these talented artists establishing their names and redefining what it means to be a real star in this era’s music landscape.
This third generation of singers follows the footsteps of world-renowned artists like Bruno Mars, Lou Diamond Philips, Dave Bautista, and Nicole Scherzinger.
The Rising Stars of Filipino American Music
Here are some of the Filipino-American musicians who are currently making waves with their impressive talents and chart-topping songs. Some of them have worked with famous artists like Nicki Minaj and Paul McCartney.
Saweetie – Breaking Ground in Hip-Hop
Born as Diamonte Quiava Valentin Harper, Sweetie has a Filipino-Chinese mom. She began her music career by sharing her rap covers on social media platforms.
Her version of Kia’s song “My Neck, My Back (Lick It)” became her first hit single. “Icy Girl” was also one of her tracks which was a rare hi for someone young and unpopular female rapper.
You may also like: 7 Iconic Filipino American Films You Need to Watch
Saweetie has collaborated with major rap and hip-hop artists like Tyga, Doja Cat, and Jhene Aiko. She will release her first album, “Pretty Bitch Music,” this year.
H.E.R. – Acclaimed Fil-Am Musician
Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, or H.E.R., has already established her name at age 24. She is a highly-awarded Fil-Am artist. With several chart-topping songs like “Damage” and “Best Part,” she already had four Grammys under her belt.
She has become one of the most successful Filipino-American singers ever. She also played the major role and Disney’s theater version of Beauty and the Beast with Josh Groban as the Beast.
Dominic Fike – SoundCloud to Mainstream Success
He began his career on Soundcloud as an artist of Filipino and African-American descent. Through this, he attracted record labels that all competed to sign him in.
Surprisingly, he recorded his EP “Don’t Forget About Me” demos while he was under house arrest for battery of a police official. He then went to jail for breaking his house arrest.
This incident coincided with his hit track “3 Nights,” which earned worldwide attention. His latest track is “Die for You” with Justin Bieber.
He was also famous for his rendition of Paul McCartney’s original song, “The Kiss of Venus.” It became viral that the Beatles Legend himself appeared in a cameo in this video.
Olivia Rodrigo – A Rising Pop Star
Olivia has achieved global recognition at just 18 years old. Her hit singles “Deja Vu” and “Driver’s License” brought her name to the top of the charts.
In addition, her debut album, “Sour,” had received critical acclaim. There are also Grammy predictions for this young Fil-Am artist. She has her Filipino blood from her father’s side, and she started her career as a Disney artist but has since created her mark in the music scene.
Bella Poarch – From US Navy to Music Stardom
She was born in the Philippines, and an American family adopted her. She joined the US Navy for four years. After becoming a hit influencer at TikTok, Poarch released her first song and music video, “Build a Bitch.”
Maliibu Miitch – A Diverse Talent
This Fil-Am musician with Vietnamese, African-American, and Filipino roots was born in North Carolina. She grew up in the Bronx, New York City. Since 2011, she has been making waves in the music scene
You may also like: Most and least diverse U.S. states
She had a collaboration with another female power star, Nicki Minaj. Malibu Miitch had also signed with huge record labels like Island Records, Ruff Ryders, and Atlantic Records. Her diverse roots are evident in some of her music videos and photoshoots.
Zacari – Rising Star with Unique Vocals
He is a promising Fil-Am musician with a versatile approach to music and distinct vocals. He is famous for his accompanying vocals on Kendrick Lamar’s hit song, “Love.”
Hailing from Bakersfield, California, he is currently signed in with Top Dawg Entertainment. He also collaborated with Isaiah Rashad, BLXST, and SiR.
Kajo – Multi-Talented Fil-Am Musician
Hailing from Los Angeles, he is well-known for his behind-the-scenes skills in music production and songwriting for artist Logic. He recently released his own track under the Bobby Boy Records/Def Jam Recordings label that Logic also founded.
While there weren’t much details about this talented musician online, Kajo’s coming-of-age, genre-fusing act has motivated music stands as proof of his creativity and talent.
These young Filipino-American musicians are taking their unique styles and talent to the International scene. They are a living testament that the music world is ready to embrace a rich diversity of artists worldwide.
