Freestyle (Filipino band)

Last updated

Freestyle
Origin Davao City, Davao del Sur, Philippines
Genres Pop, R&B, soul
Years active1996–present
Labels Viva Records, independent, Press Pause Media Productions, Inc. (present)
MembersTop Suzara
IJ Garcia
Ian Tan
Francis Manalo
Lerod Cailao
Past membersJinky Vidal
Joshua Desiderio
Mike Luis
Tat Suzara
Gerald Banzon
Ava Santos
Rommel dela Cruz
Bobby Velasco
Joel Guarin
Gino Aguas
Nikki Cabardo
Carlo Tapia
Obet Luzon
Tzuki Garcia
Jun Masamayor

Freestyle is a pop/R&B band formed in Davao City, Philippines in 1996 currently fronted by Top Suzara since 2022, who returned seventeen years after he initially left in 2005. The band was formed in 1996 and hit the mainstream in 1998, and is popular for the songs "Before I Let You Go", "So Slow", "This Time", "Till I Found You", "Para Sa 'Yo", "Once in a Lifetime", and their rendition of "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?" with Pops Fernandez.

Contents

The band was originally founded by former guitarist Tat Suzara in Davao City. Notable members of the classic lineup include vocalists Jinky Vidal and Top Suzara, the band's primary songwriter, who left the band in 2011 and 2005 respectively and went on to have solo careers. Post-Freestyle, Vidal and Top Suzara had a reunion concert together in 2013. Other notable members were vocalists Joshua Desiderio, Mike Luis, Ava Santos, and drummer Gerald Banzon who were with the band until Top Suzara returned and took over in 2022.

In mid-2022, after the pre-"Top Suzara-comeback" lineup disbanded, Top Suzara took over and continued the "Freestyle" brand accompanied by his own session musicians. Suzara had his first comeback performance as Freestyle at 19 East in October 2022 in a sold-out gig. Suzara also trademarked "Freestyle" in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) solely under his name. The IPO ruled that "Freestyle" is synonymous with the name Top Suzara and is deemed the rightful owner. [1]

Members

Current members

Former members

Additional footnotes:
  • Vocalist Top Suzara is the cousin of lead founding member Tat Suzara. [2]
  • Former Viva Hot Babe Sheree, relative of Jinky Vidal, was once a touring vocalist. [2]
  • Philippine Idol finalist Gail Blanco also guested as a touring vocalist. [3]
  • Filipina Dutch singer Aliya Parcs also once guested as a backing vocalist in some selected shows. [3]
  • Lead founding member Tat Suzara happens to be the ex-husband of another former vocalist, Jinky Vidal. Vidal and Tat got separated and eventually annulled in 2013. Vidal is now in a common-law partnership and has a child with singer/songwriter X Factor finalist Jeric Medina who is 16 years her junior. [2]
  • Session musician Bogs Bautista toured with the band as drummer/percussionist from 20212022.
  • Filipino-American singer/performer/educator, Hawaii Stars 1995 finalist, David Greenbaum from San Francisco, CA., performed with Freestyle when the band was based in Davao in 1996. [4]

Discography

Studio albums

ArtistAlbumTracksYearRecords
FreestyleFreestyleGoodluv
Not That Easy
Wanna Be The One
Lover
Before I Let You Go
Let's Get It On
I'm Gonna Love You
So Slow
Treat You So Right
Get With Me
Bakit Iniwan Na?
1999 Viva Records
FreestyleThis TimeDown And Funky
Take A Little Time
'Til I Found You
This Time
Love Is Here
Missing You
Para Sa 'Yo
You
Love Is Here
Don't Go
My Way, Your Way
Make Love
You Wanna Be With Me
2000 Viva Records
FreestyleI Wanna Get CloseMr. What I Wanna Be
You've Taken Over Me
Lying To Myself
To Love Me
I Like The Way
All That I Want
Nakilala
It's Got To Be Love
Paano
I Wanna Get Close (feat. Kyla)
I Like The Way (Dance Remix)
2002 Viva Records
FreestyleOnce in a LifetimeSa Ayaw Mo't Sa Gusto
Right By Your Side
Hindi Na Ba Pwede
Mananatili
Sa 'Yo
I'll Wait For You
Once In A Lifetime
Forever Loving You
When Hello Means Goodbye
Hanap Ka
2004 Viva Records
FreestyleBack at the YardTameme
Naglalambing
Muling Ibalik
Mapipigil Mo Ba?
Dati
I Will Still Love You
Paper Rain
Is It Over?
Wonder
Rainbow Coloured Sky
Bawat Tao
Wrapped Around Your Fingers
Maybe
Sugar
Bakit Kaya?
Nananabik
2007 Viva Records
FreestylePlaylistI Will Survive
There's No Easy Way
Got To Be There
Suddenly
I Live For Your Love
Take Me I'll Follow
Don't Let Me Be Lonely
Sara
Love's Holiday
'Till I Loved You
Sweet Baby
Easy
I Can't Find The Words To Say Goodbye
Truly
2009 Viva Records
FreestyleMga Kwentong KinantaTrue Love
Paputol Putol
Kulang Ang Mga Sandali
Isang Halik
Bangon
Kahapon
Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw
Paano Nga Kaya
Pasensya
Mahal
2014Freestyle Music Philippines

Compilation albums

ArtistAlbumTracksYearRecords
FreestyleGreatest HitsBefore I Let You Go
Bakit Iniwan Na?
This Time
I Wanna Get Close
Missing You
'Till I Found You
Mananatili
Good Luv
So Slow
Para Sa 'Yo
Paano?
Treat You So Right
Once In A Lifetime
Down And Funky
Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? (feat. Pops Fernandez)
Love Medley (Weak, Incomplete, 6-8-12, I'd Still Say Yes)
2005 Viva Records
FreestyleSilver SeriesSo Slow
Mananatili
Let's Get It On
Before I Let You Go
Nakilala
This Time
Get With Me
Missing You
I Like The Way
Bakit Iniwan Na?
Incomplete (feat. Zsa Zsa Padilla)
OPM Medley (When I Met You, Bakit Ba Ganyan, I Think I'm In Love)
2006 Viva Records
Freestyle18 Greatest HitsBakit Iniwan Na?
Before I Let You Go
Half Crazy
Mananatili
So Slow
Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?
One Hello
Still
Maybe
Down And Funky
I Wanna Get Close
Paano?
I Just Can't Stop Loving You
Ebony And Ivory
Good Luv
Treat You So Right
Once In A Lifetime
I Don't Want To Lose You
2009 Viva Records

Collaboration albums

Live albums

DVDs

Awards and nominations

YearAward Giving BodyCategoryNominated WorkResults
2008 Awit Awards Best R&B Recording"Rainbow Coloured Sky"Nominated

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">REO Speedwagon</span> American rock band

REO Speedwagon, or simply REO, is an American rock band from Champaign, Illinois. Formed in 1967, the band cultivated a following during the 1970s and achieved significant commercial success throughout the 1980s. Their best-selling album, Hi Infidelity (1980), contained four US Top 40 hits and sold more than 10 million copies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Pretenders</span> British-American rock band

The Pretenders are a British-American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde, James Honeyman-Scott, Pete Farndon and Martin Chambers. Following the deaths of Honeyman-Scott in 1982 and Farndon in 1983, the band experienced numerous personnel changes; Hynde has been the band's only consistent member.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ancient (band)</span> Norwegian black metal band

Ancient is a Norwegian black metal band from Bergen, formed in 1992. The band released six full-length albums released by Metal Blade Records to date and a variety of mini-albums, EPs and special releases. Ancient used to have the classic raw black metal sound, similar to Darkthrone's works. Beginning with The Cainian Chronicle, they moved towards a more Nordic/atmospheric black metal sound, akin to Emperor and a cleaner production. After a period of turmoil concerning their line-up, they went on to add gothic-style instruments such as violins, a female vocalist, and synthesizers to their music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raspberries (band)</span> American pop rock band

The Raspberries were an American pop rock band formed in 1970 from Cleveland, Ohio. They had a run of success in the early 1970s music scene with their pop rock sound, which AllMusic later described as featuring "exquisitely crafted melodies and achingly gorgeous harmonies." The members were known for their clean-cut public image, with short hair and matching suits, which brought them teenybopper attention as well as scorn from some mainstream media outlets as "uncool". The group drew influence from the British Invasion era—especially the Beatles, the Who, the Hollies, and the Small Faces—and its mod sensibility. In both the US and the UK, the Raspberries helped pioneer the power pop music style that took off after the group disbanded. They also have had a following among professional musicians such as Jack Bruce, Ringo Starr, and Courtney Love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital Inicial</span> Brazilian rock band

Capital Inicial is a Brazilian rock band from Brasília flourished in the 1980s, saw a resurgence in the late 1990s, and extended into the 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mushroomhead</span> American metal band

Mushroomhead is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in 1993 in the Cleveland Warehouse District, the band is known for their avant-garde sound and horror film-inspired imagery which features masks and costumes as well as their unique live shows usually performed at smaller venues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MYMP</span> Filipino acoustic band

M.Y.M.P. is an acoustic band from Quezon City, Philippines. They released their first album, Soulful Acoustic in 2003 and a double album, Beyond Acoustic which was a number six charting album, and number two charting album Versions in 2005, the two album was the best-selling album by an acoustic band having sold 285,700 album sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raymund Marasigan</span> Filipino musician

Raimund Emmanuel Parcon Marasigan is a Filipino rock musician and record producer. His first name is often misspelled Raymond or Raimond though he personally prefers to spell his name as Raymund. The breadth of his projects has made him one of the most well-respected mainstays of the Philippine rock band scene. He was the drummer, vocalist and lyricist alongside bandmate Ely Buendia of The Eraserheads, and the current keyboard/synths player for Pedicab, former rhythm guitarist and now frontman of Sandwich, former drummer of Cambio, vocalist of Project 1 and the man behind Squid 9. Currently, he holds bass for his newest band, Gaijin. Aside from writing songs and being a musician, he is also a record producer, voice actor, TV host and product endorser.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Itchyworms</span> Filipino rock band

The Itchyworms is a Filipino rock band. The band is composed of Jazz Nicolas on lead vocals, drums and piano, Jugs Jugueta on co-lead vocals, keys and guitars, Kelvin Yu on bass guitars, Chino Singson on lead guitars, Weckl Mercado on guitars, and Mikey Amistoso on guitars and keys. The group made their name in the OPM scene in 2006 with their second album, Noontime Show, with songs such as "Akin Ka Na Lang" and "Beer".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">La Mafia</span> American musical group

La Mafia is an American five-time Grammy Award-winning musical group. It has its roots in the Northside neighborhood of Houston, Texas, and has charted a course as a Latin music band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mayonnaise (band)</span> Filipino alternative rock band

Mayonnaise are a five-piece Filipino alternative rock band, fronted by Monty Macalino and famous for winning the "Red Horse Muziklaban" contest in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Parsons</span> English audio engineer, musician, and record producer (born 1948)

Alan Parsons is an English audio engineer, songwriter, musician and record producer.

Neocolours is a Filipino pop-rock band formed in February 1987, out of the remnants of a mid-1980s vocal group (WaterColors), in Manila, Philippines. Founding members are Ito Rapadas (vocals), Jimmy Antiporda (keyboards/vocals), Marvin Querido (keyboards), Josel Jimenez (guitar), Paku Herrera (bass) and Nino Regalado (drums). Their first album, Making It in 1988 reached platinum sales, and helped usher in a new era in the Philippine recording industry that is now known as the early 1990s band explosion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Junji Arias</span> Musical artist

Anthony James Arias, better known for his stage name Junji Arias, is a Filipino singer, record producer, composer, and was the former vocalist and chief songwriter for the band, Excerpts (1993–1999) and Velcro (1999–2008). Arias has been well known for his raw, sharp-edged raspy vocals. He was one of the pioneers of the acoustic Rock alternative scene during the late 1990s and early 2000s. He is also musically versatile, playing a wide range of instruments, including the guitar, keyboards, and several percussion instruments.

Starpoint was an American R&B and funk band from Maryland that was active from 1978 to 1990 recording 10 albums during that time. It comprised four brothers and two other musicians. The ten albums released did well, some reaching the US R&B Charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dewa 19</span> Indonesian rock band

Dewa 19 is an Indonesian rock band from Surabaya, East Java, led by singer-songwriter Ahmad Dhani. Along with God Bless and Slank, they are dubbed as one of the greatest rock bands in the history of Indonesian popular music. The band was formed in 1986. There have been a number of changes to the lineup that ended in their disbandment in 2011, but then they regrouped in 2019 for comeback reunion shows.

The Badloves are an Australian R&B, soul band that formed as DC3 in 1990 by founding mainstay member Michael Spiby on guitar and lead vocals. They changed their name after a year. Their debut studio album, Get on Board, was issued in July 1993, which peaked at No. 5 on the ARIA Albums Chart. At the ARIA Music Awards of 1994 they won Best New Talent and Breakthrough Artist – Album for Get on Board and Breakthrough Artist – Single for its first single, "Lost" (1993). The Badloves' second album, Holy Roadside, reached the top 20. Their highest-charting single, "The Weight" (1993), is a cover version of the Band's 1968 single and features Jimmy Barnes on co-lead vocals. It reached the ARIA singles chart top 10.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Both Ends Burning</span> 1975 single by Roxy Music

"Both Ends Burning" is a single by English rock band Roxy Music taken from their 1975 album Siren. Written by Bryan Ferry, the song features lyrics inspired by the pressure felt by the band to complete the Siren album as well as keep up their touring obligations. Ferry's struggles in writing the lyrics for the song meant that the band largely had to complete the instrumental track without his vocal line.

Side A is a Filipino pop band formed in 1985. They gained recognition in the Philippine music scene in the late 1980s through to the early 2000s. They are best known for their single "Forevermore." In 1993, the group's third album went triple platinum and in the mid-1990s, Side A garnered two Awit Awards.

Put3ska was a Filipino ska band formed in 1993. The band's name is word play, combining the Filipino phrase, putres ka and "ska". The band referred to itself as a "60s-oriented, 90s ska band, influenced by Jamaican and British ska".

References

  1. Jusay, Annalyn S. (October 20, 2022). "All-male Freestyle makes a comeback with frontman Top Suzara". Manila Bulletin . Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 Why Top Suzara left Freestyle PhilStar.
  3. 1 2 Freestyle Interview
  4. https://web.archive.org/web/20150205024945/http://davidgreenbaummusic.com/wst_page6.html