The Sound of Asians: Filipino Americans in the Music Industry

Filipino Americans are undeniably talented in singing. Be it America’s Got Talent, The Voice, or any other singing and talent shows, Filipino Americans are sure to be discovered. The truth is there is no surprise that Asians and Americans have dominated the local and international charts.

Here are some Filipino American Music Artists that you should check out!

Olivia Rodrigo

Photo taken from oliviarodrigo.com

Are you feeling ‘sour’? Olivia Rodrigo’s songs are here to accompany you. Her discography is mostly songs about teenage love and loss making her one of the most relatable Gen Z artists in the industry. Contrary to the singer’s fandom name ‘Livies’, her songs are to die for. With her most streamed hits ‘traitor’, ‘good 4 u’, and ‘deja vu’, you will surely get over your ex (or enemy).

Olivia Rodrigo’s career was already a global pop star in the making. Long before she achieved the success that she is, she has already been starring in the movie ‘An American Girl: Grace Stirs Up Success’ and Disney series ‘Bizzaardvark’. Talk about a versatile queen!

Ruby Ibarra

Photo taken from rubyibarra.com

An actual representation in the music industry. Rapper and musician Ruby Ibarra express her struggles and challenges as a Filipino American immigrant through her creations. Her debut album, CIRCA 91, which represents the year she started living in the United States has been an inspiration to many. ‘US’ is currently her most streamed song on Spotify with 1.2 million streams and counting!

Aside from her passion in producing music masterpieces, she also co-founded the Pinays Rising scholarship program helping young students in colleges in nurturing their artistic nature and activism. Currently, the Rapper from the San Francisco Bay is a songwriter for the FOX Network.

Bella Poarch

Photo taken from therecenttimes.com

From TikTok content creator to singer, Bella Poarch has surely come a long way ahead! One of the most followed TikTok creators has taken over the music industry, with MTV Millennial Awards, MTV Video Music awards, and other award nominations, she proved that she is more than just a pretty face. The Filipino American artist also uses her platform to advocate for Anti-Asian hate.

Her songs ‘Build a Bitch’, ‘Inferno’, and ‘Living Hell’, showed us a glimpse of the singer's dark and comic character. Her monthly listeners on Spotify are over 5.4 million as of September 2022.

If you want to listen to their songs, here are their Spotify accounts:
Spotify – Olivia Rodrigo
Spotify – Ruby Ibarra
Spotify – Bella Poarch

Written by: Monina Antonio

Monina Antonio is a digital marketing intern of PS Media Enterprise. She is currently a 3rd-year Broadcasting student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines- Sta. Mesa.