Rob, Arthur, Amiel and Adie say OPM is louder than ever ahead of their joint concert

December 5 ------ Four of today’s most-streamed OPM solo acts — Rob Deniel, Arthur Nery, Amiel Sol, and Adie — strongly believe that the genre’s renewed rise reflects a shift in how Filipino listeners champion homegrown music. Each artist offered a clear view of why the scene is stronger than ever as they prepare for their joint show, “RAAA!” happening today at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Sol — known for his breakout single “Sa Bawat Sandali” and “Ikaw Lang Patutunguhan — said the resurgence is rooted in accessibility, creative freedom, and the way listeners now discover artists outside the old industry system. “I think social media is a big factor. You don’t need a major record label to share your music with everyone. Anyone who has a passion and a cellphone can share their music to the whole world. I think that just goes to show that anyone can really make it as long as you have a passion and you’re true to your music. Someone will always support you. I think that’s one of the big factors of the resurgence of OPM,” Sol shared. “But actually, personally, for me, I don’t think it was [ever] gone. I think OPM’s supporters are louder now,” the artist added.

For Adie, who has built a remarkable career marked by billions of streams from songs like “Paraluman,” “Tahana,n” and “Mahika,” said the pandemic years created unexpected openings for artists who might not have been heard before, himself included. “I used to think Filipinos listened mostly to foreign music like K-pop. There was OPM, but only a little of it was widely heard, especially before the pandemic. Then during the pandemic, it felt like OPM artists suddenly emerged from everywhere — and somehow, I became one of them,” he recalled. “I can say that there are a lot of people who have the courage to express their music during the pandemic until now. Hopefully, OPM will spread more. Thank you so much to the fans who are still supporting OPM, especially now,” he added.

Meanwhile, Nery — who rose to prominence with the massive success of “Pagsamo,” “Isa Lang” and “Take All the Love” — said the shift is part of a natural cycle where each wave brings its own sound and audience. “I think every generation has its own package. We’re just happy that we’re part of a new generation.”

On the other hand, Deniel — who burst onto the scene with “Ulap,” “Gabi,” “RomCom,” and “Miss Miss — said the bigger platform now available to OPM helps introduce listeners to artists who may have gone unnoticed before. “This is really what OPM artists dream of — to make people listen to their music and to make people know other OPM artists that are not on the radar, that are not noticed. That’s a big thing. That’s why most of the artists on the charts are touring not just locally but worldwide. But I agree with what Amiel said that it’s not totally gone. It’s just more people are listening,” he said.

Source: manilatimes.net