Singer and songwriter TJ Monterde has unlocked another milestone after he reached five million monthly listeners on music streaming platform Spotify. 

On his personal social media pages, TJ expressed gratitude to his fans who have supported him as he was still in shock.

“Goal ko this year was just to stay steady at 3M monthly listeners on @spotifyph, oks na yun kasi di din talaga madali. Yesterday, we just reached 5 MILLION MONTHLY LISTENERS! grabe yon 💚,” he happily posted.

He went on: “aaaaahhhh, maraming salamat po. — 'lahat matutupad' 🌏✨.”

As per the press release, “the Cagayan de Oro-born singer is recognized as one of the most streamed OPM artists on the streaming platform,” in which “by the end of 2023, he made it on the digital streaming platform’s annual #SpotifyWrapped as one of the most streamed OPM artists alongside Ben&Ben, Zack Tabudlo, Moira dela Torre, Arthur Nery, and more.”

Some of his hit songs include  “Dating Tayo,” “Mahika,” “Tulad Mo,” and “Ikaw At Ako”. He has garnered accolades from prestigious award-giving bodies such as the Awit Awards and Wish Music Awards. 

His single, “Palagi”, garnered it over 68 million streams on Spotify, 25 million views for its lyric video and official music video, and became the most viewed live performance on The Cozy Cove’s YouTube series with 23 million views. He also released a wedding version of the song.

The popular song became widely used by fans and casual listeners on different social media platforms, which led TJ to be in the spotlight this year.

"It's really special kasi this song, this is one of the first few releases after na wala na akong record label, independent na ako ngayon. Isa ito sa mga sinulat ko," TJ relayed in an interview on ABS-CBN On Cue with MJ Felipe.

"There just came a point na sabi ko Lord magsusulat lang ako, walang pressure at all. I'm just gonna write because I write. That's it. Wala akong magiging barometer na malalagpasan kaya niya 'yung ibang songs ko dati? Binitawan ko na parang ayaw ko na ng pressure that I'm just gonna write," he added.

READ: TJ Monterde shares story behind hit song ‘Palagi’: ‘It’s a song of reassurance for KZ’

TJ also revealed that "Palagi" is a song he wrote for his wife, KZ Tandingan, saying: "This song is a song of reassurance for KZ."

“ I sang her this song for the first time. [I told her], 'We're ten years na magkakilala but still I want to reassure you na kahit anong mangyari, kapag napaligiran ng ingay at gulo di ko ipagpapalit 'yung ngiti mo sa mundo, palagi," he recalled.

“I really put my heart out into this song,” TJ continued.  

The singer also released his new album, Sariling Mundo, last April ahead of his successful two-day sold-out concerts in May at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City.

“With Sariling Mundo, TJ aims to attract more listeners not only in the Philippines, but also across the globe,” Cornerstone Entertainment expressed in a press release.

READ: TJ Monterde serenades fans during 2-day sold-out Sariling Mundo concerts
 

TJ also took to his social media account how he still has a post-concert hangover from the incredible moments he shared with his fans.

“Grabe yun. thank you everybody for those 2 nights! para pa rin akong nakalutang. tumatak sakin, habang nakatingin ako sa inyong lahat, 'lahat matutupad.' Ito na yun. Ito na yung puhon,” he penned.

He went on: “Thank you for making my stories, your stories. thank you for allowing my songs to be a part of your lives. Thank you for listening to this cheesy storyteller. ❤️”