Sony Music Philippines
Sony Music Philippines, Inc. is a record label based in the Philippines, which was founded in 1995[2] as an imprint[3] of the international music label Sony Music Entertainment and a part of its Asia-Pacific chain. After the closure of the local label caused by widespread piracy problems in the Philippines in 2012,[4] it resumed its operations in 2018.[5]
| Sony Music Philippines, Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Sony Music Entertainment[1] |
| Founded | 1995 (first incarnation) 2018 (second incarnation) |
| Defunct | February 2012 (first incarnation) |
| Genre | Various |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Location | Dona Parel Bldg., 782 Aurora Boulevard cor. Seattle St., Cubao, Quezon City (2012–2017; as Ivory Music & Video) 27th Floor, IBP Tower, Julia Vargas Avenue corner Jade Drive, Ortigas Center, 1605 Pasig, Metro Manila (2018–present) |
History
In 1995, after OctoArts International (now PolyEast Records) signed a distribution deal with EMI, Sony Music Philippines was established with its first office at the Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong.[2] In 2005, as an after-effect of the Sony BMG merger (which happened a year earlier), it merged with Bertelsmann's local label BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. (itself founded in the early 1990s) to become Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines.[6] A few months later, its offices were transferred from the Equitable Bank Building in Cubao, Quezon City to the Taipan Place in Ortigas, Pasig for even lower taxes and better work amenities. In 2009, the label was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, and also began partnering with GMA Records for releases of some artists like Aljur Abrenica and La Diva.
Ivory Music and Video (formerly Ivory Records) handled distribution for Sony Music's catalog in the Philippines in July 2011, and in February 2012, the label closed its office at the Taipan Place in Ortigas, Pasig after a long battle with widespread piracy.[5] This was the first time since the early 1990s (under OctoArts) that international Sony Music releases were licensed by an independent Philippine label. The distribution contract expired in late 2017.
Sony Music Philippines started to re-open in 2018 (and since then it became fully independent since early 2011), and in July 2019, the label held a press event in Pasig marking its formal re-launching, announcing the new roster of artists signed to them which includes Ben&Ben, The Vowels They Orbit, Alex Bruce, Syd Hartha, and the band Nathan & Mercury.[7]
In late 2019, Filipino boy band SB19 signed a recording contract with the label.[8] In March 2022, Filipina girl group 4th Impact also signed a recording contract.
In 2020, artists from Balcony Entertainment, including its founder Rico Blanco and actress/singer Maris Racal, signed an agreement with Sony Music Philippines to distribute single/album releases from the Balcony roster.
In 2021, SME launched Waterwalk Records, a sublabel focused on Contemporary Christian music featuring artists like Morissette.
Artists
Current
- Rivermaya (1994–2001; since 2022)
- 6cyclemind (2003–2012; since 2022) (Soupstar Entertainment; distribution only)
- Itchyworms (2008–2012; since 2020)
- Sponge Cola (since 2020)
- Rico Blanco (since 2020)
- Ben&Ben (since 2019)
- The Vowels They Orbit (Soupstar Entertainment; distribution only)
- Alex Bruce
- Syd Hartha
- of Mercury (f/k/a Nathan & Mercury)
- Oh, Flamingo!
- Timothy Run
- Mona Gonzales
- Ace Banzuelo
- SB19 (since 2019)
- Henyong Makata
- We Got (Soupstar Entertainment; distribution only)
- Bea Lorenzo
- Abaddon
- Nobody's Home
- Kunnns
- Plan-B
- Michael Bars
- Ren
- Cris Cyrus Gondra
- Lili (Lily Gonzales)
- Nobita
- Young One (Dongalo Wreckords)
- Lady Mazta
- Pablo
- Munimuni
- KAIA
- 4th Impact (since 2022)
- ABY
- Baet Alcantara
- Bianca Lipana
- Flict G
- Jarlo Base (Dane Hipolito)
- Any Name's Okay
- Loir
- YARA
- Barbie Almalbis (1996–1998; since 2020)
- Jason Marvin
- Toni Gonzaga
OFFMUTE (sublabel)
- Clara Benin
- Young Cocoa
Waterwalk Records (sublabel)
- Morissette (Underdog Music PH / Stages Productions)
- Hazel Faith
- EJ De Perio
- Janine Danielle
- Sam&Steff
- Gloryfall
Associated/affiliated labels
- Balcony Entertainment
- Suzara (Bolichie and Top Suzara)
- Raven Aviso
- Maris Racal
- Yellow Room Music (independent label owned by Monty Macalino)
- 647
- Sharlene San Pedro
- Kuatro Kantos
- Leila Manalac
- Madeline
- Suddenly Monday
- Southern Lights
- Eloisa Jayloni
Former
Musiko Records/BMG Records (Pilipinas)
- Eraserheads (1989–2002; catalog now handled by Sony Music Philippines and Offshore Music)
- Smokey Mountain (1991–1995)
- Ariel Rivera (1991–2009)
- Bodjie's Law of Gravity
- Michael Laygo
- Labuyo
- Grace Nono (1992–1999)
- Lea Salonga (1993–2012)
- Francis Magalona (1994–2007; died in 2009)
- J Brothers (1996–2005)
- The Company (1996–2000)
- Angelika Dela Cruz (1996–2000)
- Novia (1997–1999)
- Anna Fegi (1997–2005)
- Madz (1998–2010)
- Yano
- Bing Rodrigo
- Color It Red
- Barako Boys
- Boysvoyz
- Calvin Millado
- Mike Luis
- Times Two
- Willie Nepomuceno
- Agot Isidro (1999)
- Dingdong Avanzado (Infiniti Music; distribution only from 1999–2001)
- Sunshine Cruz (Infiniti Music; distribution only from 1999–2001)
- Bigtime
- Jo Awayan
- Cornelia Luna
- Ilonah Jean
- Chad Borja
- Michael Terry
- Nelson Del Castillo
- Mar Silverio
- Paul Toledo
- SexBomb Girls (2001–2011)
- Sharon Cuneta (2001–2005 (BMG) and 2005–2012 (Sony BMG); now under Star Music)
- Lito Camo
- Louie Ocampo
- Ciudad
- Hajji Alejandro
- Edgie and The Jackalites
- Lou Bonnevie
- Jun Lopito
- Sugar Hiccup
- Ang Tunay Na Amo
- Odette Quesada
- Luke Mejares (2003–2011)
- Father & Sons
- Ciara Sotto
- Jimmy Bondoc (2003–2011)
- Cris Villonco
- Agaw Agimat
- Cecile Fernando
- Fatal Posporos
- Kaya
- Jao Mapa[9]
- Fourmula
Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (first incarnation)
- South Border (1996–2005; now independent)
- Razorback (1997–2004; now under Hebigat Sounds Inc.)
- Hungry Young Poets
- Ghetto Doggs (1999–2000; now defunct)
- G. Toengi
- Sandwich (1999–2003; now under PolyEast Records)
- The Dawn (2000–2004; now under Solstice Ventures Inc.)
- Kapatid (2003–2006)
- DaPulis
- Mae Rivera
- Champagne Morales
- Jenine Desiderio
- Andrew E.
- Mayonnaise (2003–2007; now under Yellow Room and Ivory Music and Video)
- Kjwan (2004–2006)
Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (second incarnation)
- Brownman Revival (2005–2010)
- Cueshé (2005–2011; now under Big Dipper Entertainment)
- Gloc-9 (2005–2012; now under Universal Records)
- Pupil (2005–2012; now under UMG Philippines)
- Callalily (2006–2011; now under Callalily Entertainment/Sindikato Inc./O/C Records/Viva Records)
- Gian Magdangal (2006–2010)
- Lovi Poe (2006–2010; now under ABS-CBN)
- Mau Marcelo (2006–2009)
- Moonstar88 (2007–2012; now under Soupstar Music)
- Zelle (2007–2012)
- Sugarpop (2007–2009)
- KC Concepcion (2008–2012; now under Cornerstone Entertainment)
- Gretchen Espina (2008–2010; quit showbiz)
- Moymoy Palaboy (2008–2011)
- Joanna Ampil (2008–2011)
- Letter Day Story (2009–2012)
- La Diva (2009–2010)
- Rachel Alejandro (2009–2011; now under Star Music)
- Aljur Abrenica (2010–2011)
- Eevee (2010–2012; now under Ivory Music & Video)
- Kiss Jane (2010–2012)
- Cesar Montano (2010–2012)
- Mark Alain (2011–2012)
- Stephanie Dan (2011–2012)
- Sheng Belmonte (2011–2012)
- The Opera Belles (2011–2012)
- Kaligta (2011–2012)
See also
References
- ^ "Sony Music - Asia Pacific (APAC)". Retrieved March 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "Billboard". August 15, 1998.
- ^ "Sony Music Philippines Just Signed 5 Local Artists". Esquire Magazine PH. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ . InterAksyon. News5. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
- ^ a b Liwanag, Punch. . Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc". Discogs.
- ^ "Sony Music Philippines reveals roster of Filipino music artists". BusinessMirror. July 28, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ "LOOK: SB19 signs with Sony Music". PUSH.com.ph. ABS-CBN. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ "Whatever happened to Jao Mapa?".