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OPM underdogs

Josh Mercado

<p>Those big names in the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) scene — who are blessed with fame, opportunities, and worshippers — aren’t going anywhere. Consider them fortunate, as they are expected to grow even more by 2026.</p><p>While practically everyone is invested in their music, there are underdogs that receive less media exposure and online responses despite being just as skilled and presentable as the giants.</p><p>Those OPM underdogs — whose names are unfamiliar, whose music has yet to reach the charts, and whose stories have yet to be told — are in touch with their sound, writing, producing, and promoting on their own.</p><p>In a validation-driven industry, it’s incredibly nice to see them do their music alone, so unrestrictedly, and fearlessly be themselves. They say it can be lonely, exhausting, and frustrating knowing no one is listening. In the end, they continue to give cutting-edge, real stories, and music that does not feel like fast food. It takes bravery, true artistry, and a lot of hard effort.</p><p>This is dedicated to the OPM underdogs who keep performing and creating music even when no one is paying attention.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Bita and the Botflies</strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761816207341image0.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>In 2019, Bita and the Botflies released &quot;Sisikat Ka Iha,&quot; a playful edgy, thought-provoking song on the reality of a young talented woman attempting to make it big.</p><p><em>“Halika na, pirmahan ang kontrata. Isuko’ng sarili, ‘wag nang babalik. Sisikat ka, iha. Sa iyong ganda, sila’y mapapasamba. Sa iyong kinis, sila’y manginginig,”</em> the first line of the lyrics stated.</p><p><em>“Halika na, maraming nakapila. Sundin mo lang ano’ng gusto nila. Bumebenta ka, iha. Samantalahin mo na habang bata ka pa. Kung kulubot na, wala ka nang saysay dito,”</em> songwriter Sofy Aldeguer wrote.</p><p>Their other songs, &quot;Peklat Cream,&quot; &quot;Chop-chop Blues,&quot; &quot;Tagu-taguan,&quot; &quot;Tumilapon, Pulutin,&quot; and &quot;Manghuhula,&quot; featured deeply personal lyrics that felt like reading an intriguing pink diary discovered in an old cabinet ready to be uncovered, demonstrating their exceptional penmanship.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Karilyo </strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761816237780image1.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>This trio of young musicians, who recently released their new song &quot;Reyalidad,&quot; a statement on the nation&#x27;s present political situation, is bringing a new perspective to the alternative rock sound.</p><p><em>“Kaliwa’t kanan, may nagbabangayan. Mga nasa laylayan ay nalalamangan. Ano nang nangyari sa mundo? Tara’t samahan mo ako. Tara na’t lumipad sa’ting reyalidad. Hindi na ba uunlad ang reyalidad? Hindi puwede ang tamad sa reyalidad. Hindi ka makalilipad. Ayaw mong maglakad. ‘Yan ang reyalidad,” </em>they said in the song.</p><p>They added, <em>“Sawa na ba sa ganitong uri ng pamumuno? Wala nang nagbago. Tayo pa rin ang talo. Ano nang nangyari sa mundo? Hanggang kailan ba ganito? Tara na’t lumipad sa reyalidad.”</em></p><p>The lead vocalist&#x27;s voice is quite clear, particularly when singing Filipino lines, and it is truly admirable that every word is heard, understood, and delivered. Listening to them is like to seeing the intense cinematic ending of a really good Filipino film.</p><p><em>“Naghahasik ng lagim. May hawak na patalim. Naririnig na ang karwahe. Sinubukang manlaban pero hindi pinagbigyan. Hawakan mo ang aking kamay… Sabay tayo’y maglalakbay. Patungo sa impiyerno,”</em> they expressed through the lyrics of their visually arresting song &quot;Halikana.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Young Blood Neet</strong></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1761816260840image2.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Representing Pinoy hip-hop, Young Blood Neet once said that his theater training was the reason behind his music&#x27;s &quot;complexity,&quot; spewing &quot;bar&quot; (rap term) with honesty, boldness, and flexibility.</p><p>His song &quot;Dem Dayz&quot; with Flow G was a visual representation of his modest upbringing, perseverance through adversity, and desire to succeed in hip-hop.</p><p><em>“Remember them days, nasa ibaba. ‘Di akalaing tinitingala. Nagbabawi na nung wala pa ‘kong meron. Pa’no pa ngayon, meron nang napala. If they won’t show me, I’ll find a way,” </em>he said in the song.</p><div><em>“Nananatiling matibay damdamin sa pinakamahirap kong sitwasyon… Oras, talento, sipag ang puhunan. ‘Di nangangamba kung kami’y lumubog. Sinong may ayaw sa aming tunog?”</em></div><div><br/></div><p>And, like Young Blood Neet, other OPM underdogs in the hip-hop scene include small-time fliptop artists (emcees) who produce their own fliptop battles virtually every week, exhibiting their genuine love and care for the hip-hop universe, which is frequently disregarded by the industry.</p><p>So, just as the industry and listeners empower big artists, they should also embrace OPM underdogs. Yes, talent is talent; nevertheless, without support, it is nothing.</p><p>And keep in mind that those well-known figures in the industry were once underdogs. And those underdogs can now gain insight from their experiences of zero days, rejection, and lack of exposure to reach the top of Pinoy music scene. </p>

<p>While mainstream OPM stars continue to dominate the charts and headlines, a new generation of underdogs is quietly reshaping the local music scene. From edgy lyricism to fearless experimentation, these rising acts prove that true artistry doesn’t need hype to be heard.</p>

While mainstream OPM stars continue to dominate the charts and headlines, a new generation of underdogs is quietly reshaping the local music scene. From edgy lyricism to fearless experimentation, these rising acts prove that true artistry doesn’t need hype to be heard.

3 OPM underdogs you should be listening to right now

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3 OPM underdogs you should be listening to right now

Josh Mercado

Published October 30, 2025 08:09 PM PHT

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Young Blood Neet

Bita and the Botflies

Karilyo

OPM

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