The State of Filipino Americans in Today’s Music Landscape (Here’s what these Fil-Am Music Creatives Have To Say)
It’s the early 1990s and Filipino Americans were still finding their place in American Culture. Other than roles in the medical fields and service workers, Filipino presence was pretty much non-existent in most industries. Come late 1990s/early 2000s, Filipinos started to trickle into the American entertainment space with only a few in the forefront such as Dante Basco and Ernie Reyes Jr. to name a few. When it came to music, a music movement was created with groups such as KAI, Drop N’ Harmony, Innerlude, One Voice, etc. but stayed within Asian American communities. There were a select few that made it into the main stream such as Lea Salonga, Apl De Ap, and a few others.
Enter 2007 to the 2010s. The age of discovery on the internet. Filipino Boxer Manny Pacquiao was in his prime. Filipino Singer/Songwriter Arnel Pineda became the lead singer of the legendary band Journey. Jo Koy started to build himself as a name in mainstream comedy. We started to see some cultural relevance of Filipinos in American entertainment and media.
Now let’s talk about early 2010s to the present. Filipino talent and creativity began to come into the forefront with music talents like P-Lo, Bruno Mars, Saweetie, Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., and more being recognized on the highest levels. Even emerging talents such as Carl Angelo, Ruby Ibarra, & Jeremy Passion, to name a few, are being culturally accepted beyond just Asian American audiences. Even Jollibee, a Filipino staple, has planted itself as a household name in American fast food. It’s safe to say that in 2025, Filipinos are here to stay and this country is recognizing it now more than ever.
I asked a few friends of the Traklife community, who have had their share of contributions to the music scene, on their outlook on the Fil-Am status in the modern music landscape. Read Below.
NINO LLANERA – Head of A&R and Content
ABS CBN Music International.
Filipinos in today’s music scene are carving their own paths and making a powerful impact—not only as artists in front of the spotlight, but also as the writers, producers, and executives driving some of the biggest acts in the industry.
From groups like BINI, set to make their Coachella debut in 2026, to Cup of Joe, whose hit “Multo” became the first Filipino song to debut on the Billboard Global 200, Filipino talent continues to make history. Behind the scenes, creatives like Rose Tan of Mono Stereo Groove and Disney Music Publishing, and executives like John Vincent Salcedo of Columbia Records, are solidifying our presence in spaces where we were once unseen.
Overall, Filipinos in music today are standing strong from a true 360-degree perspective—making waves both on stage and in the boardroom, proving that our influence extends far beyond performance.
CARL ANGELO – Rapper / Hip-Hop Artist
Not only is it more widely accepted for FilAms to be part of the ever growing musical landscape and business, I can confidently say I’m part of the generation that knows what it feels like to have little to no role models/idols to look up to that looked like me, a brown FilAm person, while at the same time knowing what it feels like to be one of the contributing artists at the forefront. We’re going through some sort of renaissance in some way where it’s not just boom bap rap, love songs on the guitar, and OPM covers anymore (which are all still great). Our horizons are expanding and we’re getting more bold. More brave, more daring. More curious. It’s beautiful. All of our favorite songs are now our foundation and I can’t wait to see where else we take it. I’m hopeful we can really take it further than we imagined.
DREW DE LEON – Community Builder & Founder
The Digilogue | The PHresh Project
It’s been incredible to see the growth and visibility of Filipino artists from the Philippines and across the diaspora. From OPM to popular genres we know, Filipino artists are making a stamp with their individual voices and signature sounds. It’s important for music communities like Traklife to be a platform for discovery. We’re only touching the surface so I can’t wait what the upcoming years will bring!
DJ A-RON
DJ | Radio Program Director | Social Personality
HB Radio | On Air w/ A_Ron | Culture Kings
I think we have some dope representation for us Filipino in music today with the P-Lo’s and Saweetie’s and even Olivia Rodrigo, but there’s always room for more!
GE-OH
Producer | Audio Engineer | Music Mentor
modernnostalgia.club
Honestly, the FilAm music scene is light years ahead of where it was, but far from where it should be. That being said, I’m pretty hopeful in the future of the Genre with both Veterans in this space really getting their props, and younger artists hungry to prove themselves, along with a growing collective of taste makers that are holding open doors instead of keeping gates
GERARD FAJARDO
Former Designer & Brand Creative Lead | Def Jam Recordings
Co-Founder | alt(r)ego*
Filipino Americans are finally being seen and celebrated for the full range of what we bring, not just in the music scene as artists, but as producers, djs, designers, and creatives shaping culture behind the scenes. We’ve always had talent, but now there’s this real pride and confidence in showing up fully as ourselves and celebrating our roots. It’s really dope seeing our community not just show up, but build, uplift each other, and prove that our culture isn’t a niche—it’s universal.
MIDI RIPERTON
DJ | Co-Founder | DJ Business Instructor
Joyce Wrice | Ladies of Sound | Beat Junkies Institute of Sound
I’ve definitely noticed a powerful shift among Filipino Americans in music today where more of us are betting on ourselves in taking the untraditional route to build careers in the industry. It’s inspiring to see, especially since it didn’t seem as common even just a decade ago. Early in my career, there may have been only a handful of Fil-Ams that were building the blueprint for us, but now I’m proud to see us represented across every corner of the field—from record labels and venue owners to touring DJs, musicians, and artist managers. It’s incredible to witness how we’re not only pursuing these roles but absolutely excelling in them. It’s been an honor to be part of this community and my hope is for all of us to continue working with one another to keep the culture of Filipinos in Music alive!
JOSEPH “JOE_V” VILLARAMA
Music Producer | Music Manager
Drop N’ Harmony | KAI | Inner Voices | Jalea Villarama
Hopeful. It’s a great time to be a Filipino American in the music scene. Growing up, representation was rare—Ernie Reyes Jr. was one of the few faces we saw, and Lou Diamond Phillips was often cast as Latino. Then the 90s brought the hip hop and R&B wave, giving us Jocelyn Enriquez, KAI, DJ Qbert, DJ Apollo, DJ Shortkut, Drop’n Harmony, Innerlude, Pinay, One Voice, Premiere, Mind Over Matter, and Movements Per Minute. That era gave us hope.
Now we’re being recognized and respected. With social media and streaming, we can showcase our artistry and culture globally—no more waiting for the industry. Our voices are being heard, and with our influence in entertainment, our culture is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
From Jo Koy and Keith Pedro in comedy, to Bruno Mars and H.E.R. on the charts, to Jordan Clarkson and Camryn Bynum in sports, to Ruby Ibarra, P-Lo, DJ Rocky Rock, DJ Lex, Nico Blitz, and artists like Saweetie, EZ Mil, Chef Yamz, Jae’Roze Tate, and Carl Angelo leading the next wave—they’re all showing what’s possible.
Even more exciting is the fact that we’re doing it alongside our kababayan from the motherland—Jay R, Dionela, BINI, SB19, Morobeats, Michael Panganiban, and Morissette. We’re bridging the gap between the motherland and the diaspora. The unity’s real, and it’s inspiring to see Fil-Ams and Pinoys back home pushing the culture forward with pride. We got next!
LINDSEY “LINDSEY DUZ IT” LINAYAO
Media Personality | DJ | Journalist
Traklife Music
The way that technology and accessibility are advancing, the presence and prevalence of Filipino Americans in the music scene today can only continue to grow. Whether in front of the mic or behind the scenes, the talent and versatility we bring will soon be ubiquitous in music itself.
JANUARY
DJ | VISUAL DESIGNER | VINYL COLLECTOR
BJIOS ALUMNI | LADIES OF SOUND | MANILA SOUND
The more representation, the better. Growing up, it was rare to see a Filipino American on TV or hear one on the radio. You really had to be part of a specific community to find them. The first time I felt truly connected to Filipino Americans in the music scene was when I was a young church kid who literally ran into a Filipino outdoor block party while sneaking out of church because I heard Native Guns performing nearby.
Now, having such easy access to Filipino American artists is a blessing. We all benefit from seeing more of us represented in the music scene. My hope is that one day it becomes so common that it is no longer feels like a separate category and that Filipino American musicians are simply seen and celebrated as amazing musicians, period.
ERVIN CORDERO
FOUNDER | DEVELOPER | DESIGNER
TRAKLIFE MUSIC
To go from being non-existent to what it is now is like day & night. Though we still have a long way to go, I’m proud of how far we’ve come. I’m just happy to be along for the ride. I think it’s time we go from “Fil-Am Artist” or “Filipino Artist” to simply “Artist” without the cultural label.
