5 Fil-Canadian artists that deserve a spot in your listening rotation
Need a playlist revamp? Add these music by Filipino-Canadian artists | Photos from iamannielux/Instagram and manilagrey/Instagram
Music is as fulfilling as it is mysterious, so much so that one would argue how it could fit in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. To some, it’s therapy, a productivity kick, an escape, or a priceless part of their identity they’re working hard to cultivate—just like these Filipino-Canadian artists.
Whether you’re part of the same community or just need a fresh playlist revamp, here are musicians that weave sonic tales on identity, hope, justice, love, and everything that matters.
Manila Grey
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Not all people are textbook dancers, but Manila Grey’s rich repertoire will make you shamelessly groove with every smoothly flowing lyric and its atmospheric, almost enchanting soundscape. The Juno-nominated R&B-hiphop duo GhostrideNeeko and Soliven just released their latest album “Sound Drift” in April.
Originally childhood friends, these two have also often expressed how important their Filipino heritage is in pursuing music. “Being first-generation immigrants living in Vancouver, it was very eye-opening to us knowing what our parents had to go through to put us in this position.” Neeko said in an interview with ET Canada.
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“Check the time, ‘cause I’m lost between the timezones now,” says a lyric from “Timezones,” their second most streamed track on Spotify. Whether you’re heading for a long drive or mulling over something on the rooftop, the night sky transforms into a living character itself in Manila Grey’s world.
Recommendations: “Silver Skies,” “I Won’t Leave,” and “Turbo” (feat. Arthur Nery)
Annie Lux
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If you need a hand at metaphorically ripping your heart out of your chest—just to properly process your emotions—you can count on Annie Lux to do it gently. In her 20s, this musician-songwriter-producer and Berklee College of Music alumna serves soulful vocals paired with imagery-building pop and R&B, creating tracks that produce a medley of meanings of her Spotify bio, “love is everything.”
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Further digging into her artistry will also lead you to her lovely song covers on Instagram, showing her magnetic vocals.
Her evolution took place between her addresses in Alberta, Canada and Bicol, Philippines. As for working with Filipino artists, she previously became the opening act for Sarah Geronimo, and also composed “Pinoy Big Brother” alum Anji Salvacion’s latest single “Paraiso.”
Recommendations: “Tahan Na (Bright.),” “caution,” “Lovetide”
K!mmortal
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Whether you’re struggling with self-identity or could use some boost in being brave with your voice, you can take inspiration from K!mmortal—just go to their discography tackling hard-hitting themes, including oppression and sexuality.
Currently living in Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Wautush Nations in British Columbia, this queer non-binary Filipinx rapper has Ilocano and Visayan roots from Pangasinan and Negros Occidental. Apart from being a musician, they’re also a visual artist and an actor.
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Traveling territories of rap to experimental music, and mixing angsty and vibrant energy while they’re at it, K!mmortal is not afraid to drop truth bombs and spark discussions with every lyric. “I’ve got zero tolerance when they fuck with my sacred space. Bar the trolls, hit the corners for escape. Build the platforms, take up space,” they sing in “Sad Femme Club,” which was acknowledged by American Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
“I wrote ‘Sad Femme Club’ in witness particularly to Black and Indigenous femmes of color who deal with microaggressions—and what I deal with as a queer Filipinx non-binary artist,” K!mmortal told CBC.
Recommendations: “I like what I like,” “I’m Blue,” and “Stars”
August Rigo
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A Filipino born and raised in Toronto, world-renowned recording artist August Rigo boasts a discography of soul and R&B tracks that easily draw you into his zone and let you just go with life’s tricky flow. It’s the type of sound that you’d pick up your headphones for at midnight while you’re sitting on the floor and zoning out guilt-free—you can start with his latest EP “Emotional Knocks,” whose title pretty much speaks for itself.
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And if “August Rigo” is ringing some bells, you might have already spotted his name multiple times elsewhere. Apart from making his own music, his arsenal is packed with songwriting credits for other artists.
Did you know that he co-wrote hits like Justin Bieber’s “U Smile,” One Direction’s “Gotta Be You,” and Sean Kingston’s “Party All Night (Sleep All Day),” among others? He also helped pen tracks by your favorite K-pop groups like BTS’ “Black Swan” and “ON,” Seventeen’s “Hot,” NCT 127’s “Back 2 U (AM 1:27)” and “Real Life,” and NCT Dream’s “1,2,3.”
As for local artists, August Rigo also collaborated with Leanne and Naara for “Anticipation” and SB19 for “I Want You.”
Recommendations: “Vibrate,” “Loving You Makes Me,” and “R&B Crying”
Tyson Venegas
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Ever since Tyson Venegas auditioned for the 21st season of “American Idol,” viewers seem to have been following his every move and milestone. Well, if a 17-year-old someone reimagines “New York State of Mind” with such mastery, clarity, and soul on the piano, it’s already a given that people will get invested. The hopeful continued to earn supporters from his takes on popular songs like “It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars and “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.
Venegas’ journey in the competition was cut short, though, just before he could score a spot in the top eight. Good thing it’s not completely the end—the Vancouver-based artist released his self-titled debut EP this year. From confusing feelings of infatuation to being hopeful and proactive for a better world, the record transports listeners to a teenager’s honest thoughts.
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Recommendations: “Outside,” “Holding On,” and “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi cover
