Sony Music Philippines, Inc. is a record label based in the Philippines, which was founded in 1995 as an imprint of the international music label Sony Music Entertainment and a part of its

Asia-Pacific Asia-Pacific (APAC) is the part of the world near the western Pacific Ocean. The Asia-Pacific region varies in area depending on context, but it generally includes East Asia, Russian Far East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and Pacific Isla ...

chain. After the closure of the local label caused by widespread piracy problems in the Philippines in 2012, it resumed its operations in 2018.

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. In 2005, as an after-effect of the

Sony BMG Sony BMG Music Entertainment was an American record company owned as a 50–50 joint venture between Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann. The venture's successor, the revived Sony Music, is wholly owned by Sony, following their buyout o ...

merger (which happened a year earlier), it merged with

Bertelsmann Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA () is a German private multinational conglomerate corporation based in Gütersloh, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is one of the world's largest media conglomerates, and is also active in the service sector and ...

's local label BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. (itself founded in the early 1990s) to become Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines. 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. 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. In late 2019, Filipino boy band SB19 signed a recording contract with the label. In March 2022, Filipina girl group

4th Impact 4th Impact is a Filipino girl group composed of sisters Almira, Irene, Mylene and Celina Cercado. The group competed in the twelfth season of the British singing contest ''The X Factor'', where they finished in fifth place. They are also known ...

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 Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Christian media, which is lyrically focused on matters related to the Christian faith and s ...

featuring artists like Morissette.

Artists

Current

* Rivermaya (1994–2001; since 2022) *

6cyclemind 6cyclemind (sometimes spelled as ''Six Cycle Mind'', ''6 Cycle Mind'', ''6CycleMind'' or ''6Cyclemind'') is a Filipino rock band composed of Tito Fortunato "Tutti" Caringal II on vocals, Ryan "Rye" Sarmiento on rhythm and lead guitars and backing ...

(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 The Vowels They Orbit is a 5-piece indie pop/rock band from Metro Manila, Philippines. They consist of Nikka Melchor (vocals and guitar), Hannah Dela Cruz (keyboard and backup vocals), Jeremy Sayas (drums and backup vocals), Gene Santiago (guitar ...

(Soupstar Entertainment; distribution only) * Alex Bruce * Syd Hartha * of Mercury (f/k/a Nathan & Mercury) * Oh, Flamingo! * Timothy Run * Don Michael Paul (since 2022) * 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 *

(since 2022) * Marc Weiner * ABY * Baet Alcantara * Bianca Lipana * Flict G * Jarlo Base (Dane Hipolito) * Any Name's Okay * Loir * Will Friedle (since 2019)

OFFMUTE (sublabel)

* Clara Benin * Young Cocoa

Waterwalk Records (sublabel)

* Morissette (Underdog Music PH / Stages Productions) * Hazel Faith * EJ De Perio * Janine Danielle * Sam&Steff

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

Former

Musiko Records/BMG Records (Pilipinas) *

Smokey Mountain ''Smokey Mountain'' was the term coined for a large landfill once located in Tondo, Manila. History ''Smokey Mountain'' operated for more than 50 years, consisting of over two million metric tons of waste. The flammable substances on decompos ...

(1989–1995) * Eraserheads (1989–2002; catalog now handled by Sony Music Philippines and Offshore Music) * Ariel Rivera (1991–2009) *Bodjie's Law of Gravity *Michael Laygo *Labuyo * Grace Nono (1992–1999) *

Lea Salonga Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga (; born February 22, 1971), known professionally as Lea Salonga, is a Filipino singer, actress, and columnist. Nicknamed "Pride of the Philippines," she is best known for her roles in musical theatre, for supplyin ...

(1993–2012) * Francis Magalona (1994–2007; died in 2009) *J Brothers (1996–2004) *

The Company ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

(1996–2000) * Angelika Dela Cruz (1996–2000) *Novia (1997–1999) * Anna Fegi (1997–2005) * Madz (1998–2010) * Yano *

Bing Rodrigo Bing Rodrigo (1954 – 2001) was a Filipino singer most famous for songs such as "Bakit May Pag-ibig Pa" and "Gintong Araw". He was also known to have sung the most memorable jingle in all of Philippine culture, the "Seiko Wallet" commercial. He w ...

*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 Star Music (stylized in lowercase as starmusic; formerly known as Star Records), is a record label in the Philippines owned and operated by media conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. It was formerly a separate company operating as a wholly owned su ...

) * 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 Ciara Anna Gamboa Sotto ( , born July 2, 1980) is a Filipina actress and singer. Personal life She is the youngest daughter of actress Helen Gamboa, Helen Gamboa-Sotto and actor and Senate of the Philippines, Senator Vicente Sotto III. She ...

* Jimmy Bondoc (2003–2011) * Cris Villonco *Agaw Agimat *Fatal Posporos *Kaya * Jao Mapa *Fourmula Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (first incarnation) * South Border (1996–2005; now independent) * Razorback (1997–2004; now under Hebigat Sounds Inc.) *

Hungry Young Poets Hungry Young Poets (aka HYP) was a band founded in the Philippines in 1996. They were originally formed as a duo by Barbie Almalbis (guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter) and Ricci Gurango (bassist). After releasing their first and only self-titled ...

*Ghetto Doggs (1999–2000; now defunct) *

G. Toengi Giselle Anne Töngi-Walters (born June 14, 1978) is a Swiss-Filipino actress, dancer, singer, host, VJ and model. Early life and education Töngi was born on June 14, 1978 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France to a Swiss father, Erich, and Filipina m ...

* 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 Mayonnaise (; ), colloquially referred to as "mayo" , is a thick, cold, and creamy sauce or dressing commonly used on sandwiches, hamburgers, composed salads, and French fries. It also forms the base for various other sauces, such as tartar ...

(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 Aristotle Condenuevo Pollisco (born October 18, 1977), known professionally as Gloc-9, is a Filipino rapper, singer, and songwriter. Regarded as one of the best Filipino rappers of all-time, his fast-flowing vocal style has made him one of th ...

(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 Zelle () is a United States–based digital payments network run by a private financial services company owned by the banks Bank of America, Truist, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, PNC Bank, U.S. Bank, and Wells Fargo. The Zelle service enables ...

(2007–2012) *

Sugarpop Sugarpop (also stylized as SugarPop) was a child musical group which appeared regularly on GMA Network's concert television show, ''SOP''. All of SugarPop's members are from a child singing competition on QTV named '' Popstar Kids''. The group w ...

(2007–2009) * KC Concepcion (2008–2012; now under Cornerstone Entertainment) *

Gretchen Espina Gretchen Stephanie Mendiola Espina (born January 8, 1988, in Quezon City, Philippines) is a Filipino singer, actress and politician who rose to notability after winning ''Pinoy Idol'', an interactive reality-based singing competition. Although ...

(2008–2012; quit showbiz) * Moymoy Palaboy (2008–2011) *

Joanna Ampil Joanna Ampil is a musical theatre and film actress from the Philippines and United Kingdom. Career Joanna is a stage actress. She played Kim in '' Miss Saigon'' (London, original Australian production, original United Kingdom and Ireland Tou ...

(2008–2011) *Letter Day Story (2009–2012) * La Diva (2009–2010) * Rachel Alejandro (2009–2011; now under

) * Aljur Abrenica (2010–2011) * Eevee (2010–2012; now under Ivory Music & Video) *Kiss Jane (2010–2012) *Mark Alain (2011–2012) * Cesar Montano (2011–2012) *Stephanie Dan (2011–2012) *Sheng Belmonte (2011–2012) *The Opera Belles (2011–2012) *Kaligta (2011–2012)

References

External links

Sony Music Philippines Website
* * * * {{Authority control Sony Music Companies established in 1995 Record labels established in 1995 Record labels disestablished in 2012 Record labels established in 2018 Companies based in Pasig Philippine record labels