Warner Music Philippines

Last updated

Warner Music Philippines
Warner Music Philippines.svg
Parent company Warner Music Group (1977present)
Founded1977 (as WEA Records Philippines)
StatusActive
Distributor(s)Self-distributed (since 1993)
GenreVarious
Country of originPhilippines
Location11/F Ore Central, 31st St. cor. 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
Official website Warner Music Philippines on Facebook

Warner Music Philippines (WMP) is a record label in the Philippines. It is a regional branch of the multinational music conglomerate Warner Music Group.

Contents

Founded in 1977, the company gained its self-distributed status and has since began releases of several Filipino music artists and bands. The label has been switched to digital-only releases since the 2010s.

History

WMG, then known as WEA International, established WEA Records Philippines under a distribution/license agreement for 15 years with a local group led by Bella Dy Tan.

In 1992, Warner Music officially set up its own local branch, after its distributor gained its own independent status and became Universal Records. Its initial offices were at the Ma. Daniel Building in Malate, Manila.

WMP has been signed artists throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including Lea Salonga, Side A, Alamid, Barbie's Cradle, David Pomeranz, Nina, Kitchie Nadal, Christian Bautista, Sitti, and Kamikazee. [1] In 2003, WMP transferred its offices to the Wynsum Corporate Plaza in Ortigas Center and then to the UnionBank Plaza in the same district.

In the 2010s, amid the widespread of piracy issues, WMP suffered a decline in revenues. [2] Since then, it began transitioned its catalog of releases to digital-only thru global streaming music platforms like Spotify. It also launched its digital site, PressPlay.ph and by that same period, moved its offices to the EcoTower in Bonifacio Global City.

In 2019, WMP signed new artists and bands like Quest, Leanne & Naara, Keiko Necesario and St. Wolf. [3]

In 2020, WMP signed a new partnership with Cagayan de Oro-based 9K Records, a local label featuring artists from southern parts of the Philippines. [4] The same year, WMP also signed an agreement with the PhilPop Fest Foundation and Smart Communications to host the 2020 edition of the annual PhilPop competition. [5]

In 2021, WMG appointed Sarah Ismail as the new Managing Director of WMP. [6] Also in 2021, WMP signed agreement with Sora Music Group, a local EDM label founded by DJ/producer Jenil, as its sublabel. [7]

In October 2021, Warner Music Philippines launched Global Pinoy Music (GLOPM), an initiative movement to expand Filipino music worldwide in collaboration of OPM artists with international-based Filipino artists and producers. [8]

Associated and affiliated labels

Artists

Current

Sora Music Group

Previous

Related Research Articles

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

Kamikazee is an Filipino rock band formed in 2000. The band, originally known all throughout its career as a quintet, is currently composed of Jay Contreras, Jomal Linao, Led Tuyay (guitar), Puto Astete (bass), Bords Burdeos (drums), Jian Lubiano (guitar), and Mikki Jill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbie Almalbis</span> Philippine singer-songwriter

Yvette Barbra Hontiveros Almalbis, better known as Barbie Almalbis, is a Filipino singer-songwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitchie Nadal</span> Filipina singer (born 1980)

Anna Katrina "Kitchie" Dumilon Nadal is a Filipina singer-songwriter who was formerly the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band, Mojofly. Her popularity in the female OPM niche grew after she released a self-titled solo album featuring her chart-topping single, "Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin". Her debut self-titled album Kitchie Nadal debuted at number 4 on the Philippine Albums Chart, and after a year end the album climbed up at number 1 with growing sales the album was certified 7×Platinum by PARI with sales of 214,800 physical CD album copies in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nina Girado</span> Filipino pop/R&B singer, producer and media personality

Marifil Niña Girado-Enriquez, known professionally as Nina, is a Filipino singer, occasional songwriter, record producer, and TV and radio personality. She made her recording debut in 2002 after signing a recording contract with Warner Music Philippines. Her first two studio albums produced the chart-topping singles "Jealous", "Foolish Heart" and "Make You Mine", and earned her the Favorite New Artist award on both Awit Awards and MTV Pilipinas Music Awards. She established her position in the local music industry in 2005 after releasing her third album Nina Live! which was certified diamond by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). The album yielded her most successful single, "Love Moves in Mysterious Ways", and her biggest solo concert to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">APO Hiking Society</span> Filipino musical group

The Apolinario Mabini Hiking Society, later popularly known as APO Hiking Society, or simply APO, are a Filipino musical group, that comprised Danny Javier, Jim Paredes, and Boboy Garrovillo. Today, the group consists of only Paredes and Garrovillo as a duo.

"Ang Huling El Bimbo" is a song composed by Ely Buendia of the Philippine pop/rock band Eraserheads, for their 1995 studio album Cutterpillow. It received extensive airplay after its release and ranked #2 on RX 93.1's "Top 20 OPM Requests of 1996". It is the only Tagalog song included in the band's international compilation album, Aloha Milkyway (1998). The song's music video catapulted the band's success outside the Philippines by bagging the 'International Viewer's Choice Awards for Asia' at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards.

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.

<i>Heaven</i> (Nina Girado album) 2002 studio album by Nina

Heaven is the debut studio album by Filipina singer Nina, released in the Philippines on August 20, 2002 by Warner Music Philippines. The album is heavily influenced by jazzy lounge, pop-R&B and composed of songs that resemble the sound of international records at the time. Under the direction of Warner managing head Ricky R. Ilacad, foreign songwriters and arrangers from the United States and South Korea, including Shelly Peiken and Guy Roche, were hired for the production of the album. Ilacad was very impressed with Nina's submitted demo version of Steve Perry's "Foolish Heart" which they decided to re-record for the album.

<i>Nina Live!</i> 2005 live album by Nina

Nina Live! is a live album and the third album by Filipina singer Nina, released in the Philippines on February 23, 2005, by Warner Music Philippines. The original release date for the album was scheduled on February 22, 2005, but it was moved a day later due to preparation. Nina has released two successful studio albums that are both influenced by pop-R&B, but behind all the commercial activities, she regularly performs on different bars and gigs. The label wanted to show this side of the singer the best way by releasing a live album. The live album was a commercial success debuting straight to number one on the Philippine Top 10 Albums chart. The album consists of love songs from the 1970s to the 1990s, all of which she has covered live. The live session was recorded on January 30, 2005, at PHI Resto & Bar in Metro Manila.

<i>Nina</i> (Nina album) 2006 studio album by Nina

Nina is the third studio album by Filipina singer Nina, released in the Philippines on August 23, 2006, by Warner Music Philippines. After the success of her cover album Nina Live!, Nina released an all-original studio album as a follow-up. The album debuted at number 19 on the Philippine Albums Chart then it peaked at number 9, staying on the chart into 2007. Nina stated that the album showcases her true self as an artist. Nina recaptures the sound of her first two albums, but only bigger and broader in terms of genre. It consists mostly of "toned-down" songs that were sung in a "soft, near-whispery volume." The project marked the first time that she worked with Jim Baluyut as the new executive of the label. The production also featured international songwriters Walter Afanasieff, Matthew Gerrard and Harvey Mason, Jr.

"2nd Floor" is a song by Filipino singer Nina from her 2002 debut album Heaven. It was released to radio in December 2002 by Warner Music Philippines as the album's first promo single in lieu of the album's release in the Philippines. The song was written by Arnie Mendaros, and produced by Neil Gregorio. As soon as Nina sent her demo to Warner and immediately got a contract with the label, production for her first album began. "2nd Floor" became one of the first OPM songs to feature Taglish lyrics and a pop-R&B arrangement. Nina's whistle register is very evident on the song.

<i>Kitchie Nadal</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Kitchie Nadal

Kitchie Nadal is the self-titled debut studio album by Filipino singer-songwriter Kitchie Nadal, released in the Philippines in 2004 by Warner Music and 12Stone Records. The album's second single, "Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin", became the most-played OPM single in 2004 and later earned her numerous awards. It was also used as theme song to ABS-CBN's Philippine broadcast of popular Korean TV series Lovers in Paris. The album was peaked at number one in the Philippine Top 10 Albums chart.

<i>Christian Bautista</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Christian Bautista

Christian Bautista is the debut album by Filipino singer Christian Bautista, released in the Philippines on March 26, 2004, by Warner Music Philippines. Its singles include "The Way You Look at Me", "Hands to Heaven", "Colour Everywhere", "Kailan Pa Ma'y Ikaw" and "Kelan Kaya". To date, the album has reached 4× Platinum status by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry, selling over 120,000 units in the country. It has also been certified in other Southeast Asian countries, such as Indonesia and Thailand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Records (Philippines)</span> Recording label company in the Philippines

Universal Records Philippines, Inc. is a Philippine record label founded in 1977 as part of Warner Music Group. It has been an independent label since 1992. The label is currently a member of the Philippine Association of the Record Industry.

The following is a list of notable events that are related to Philippine music in 2015.

SUD is an indie rock/jazz fusion band from the Philippines. The band is composed of Sud Ballecer on vocals and guitar, Jimbo Cuenco on drums, Carlos de la Fuente on saxophone, Kohl Aguilar on keyboard, and Raisa Racelis on bass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IV of Spades</span> Filipino pop funk band

IV of Spades was a Filipino rock band from Metro Manila, Philippines, consisting of vocalist, bassist and keyboardist Zild Benitez, vocalist and lead guitarist Blaster Silonga, and drummer Badjao de Castro. Unique served as the band's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist until he left the band in 2018. The band first gained exposure with the release of their 4th single "Mundo". On August 21, 2020, the band entered an indefinite hiatus.

Leanne and Naara is an indie pop/singer-songwriter duo based in Metro Manila, Philippines. The duo consists of Leanne Mamonong and Naara Acueza.

The 34th Awit Awards were held on November 29, 2021. Indie pop duo Leanne & Naara and folk pop band Ben&Ben led the nominations with seven, and won the awards for Album of the Year and Record of the Year, respectively. The Song of the Year category was awarded to Moira Dela Torre and Jason Marvin's work of "Paubaya".

References

  1. "Nina, Kamikazee lead Warner's OPM hits". Philstar.com. August 21, 2003.
  2. Arceo-Dumlao, Tina (March 18, 2014). "Piracy, changing preferences challenge PH music industry". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Warner Music PHL signs new OPM artists". BusinessMirror. December 15, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  4. Peters, Daniel (August 11, 2020). "Warner Music Philippines and Cagayan de Oro label 9K Records ink new partnership". NME. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  5. "COVID-19 or no COVID-19, PhilPop will go on". BusinessWorld. July 7, 2020.
  6. Bonifacio, Mark (September 30, 2021). "Warner Music PH gets new director". The Manila Times. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  7. Cavaliere, Patrizio (March 1, 2021). "Jenil's 'Guided Light' signals the start of an intriguing alliance with Warner Philippines". Mixmag Asia. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  8. "Warner Music Philippines launches Global Pinoy Music". Manila Bulletin. October 7, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  9. Sallan, Edwin (May 17, 2021). "DREAM GIRLS: Five questions with promising girl group, Daydream". BusinessMIrror. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  10. "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band - Scout Magazine". December 1, 2017. Retrieved July 18, 2018.