Who are today’s hitmakers?

I blinked and suddenly Hev Abi was not No. 1 anymore. All it took was one hit song, Pantropiko, by the girl group BINI and Hev Abi’s romantic, laconic musings were pushed to the wayside. Then with music lovers prepped and primed for BINI’s fun, sunshiny sound, Maki entered the soundstage with more of the same in his Dilaw and Saan. So, more bad news for Hev Abi. A new heartthrob is born in Maki and he has the same happy, peppy kind of tunes that fans cannot seem to have enough of these days.

That is how it is in the music business. No one really knows what the buyers want. But when they find some sound that they like, they will support the songs and the artists for as long as they can. That is until somebody comes along with something different, interesting and that fans will think nicer to listen to. And that is how the cycle continues.

Midway across 2024, BINI and Maki have taken over the top slots of the hit charts. That does not mean though that we should say goodbye to Hev Abi or last year’s idols like Juan Karlos or Sunkissed Lola. They are still selling big. Besides, like I said before, all it takes is just one hit song and the charts are upended, new listening habits are formed and new idols are born or until a big name from the past makes an outstanding comeback. As far as pop music is concerned, it is always until the next ones come along.

BINI is fast gaining ground and all it took was one hit song Pantropiko.

Here is my look at the hit lists of the past six months. It is quite a mix. Hev Abi remains on top with the most number of big selling titles but BINI is fast gaining ground. There are oldies but still selling more than a lot of new releases like Tadhana by Up Dharma Down, Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay by Ben&Ben and Heaven Knows by Orange and Lemons.

Cover versions may not be in these days but Jason Dakal is still doing well with Kitchie Nadal’s Para Sa Akin. And not to forget some carry-overs from last year, Raining in Manila by Lola Amour and Isa Lang by Arthur Nery.

There are oldies but still selling more than a lot of new releases, like (from left) Ben&Ben’s Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay, and Orange and Lemons’ Heaven Knows.

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Here is my list:

Alam Mo Ba Girl by Hev Abi; Makasarili, Malambing by Kristine Dawn and Hev Abi; Tadhana by Up Dharma Down; Take All the Love by Arthur Nery; Tingin by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso; Babaero by gins&melodies and Hev Abi; Get Low by O Side Mafia and BRGR; homebody by DEMI and Madman Star; Heaven Knows (This Bird has Flown) by Orange and Lemons; Walang Alam by Hev Abi.

Lil Kasalanan Shortie by Hev Abi; Faded (Raw) by Illest Morena; 711 by TONEEJAY; Miss Miss by Rob Deniel; YK by Cean Jr., Para sa Akin by Jason Dakal; Rom Com by Rob Deniel; Palagi by TJ Monterde; Pantropiko by BINI; Salamin, Salamin by BINI.

Marikit sa Dilim by Juan Caoile, Kylewash & Janz; Mahika by Adie and Janine Berdin; Na Na Na by BINI; This Malambing by Ryannah and J. Nateman; Dilaw by Maki; Isa Lang by Arthur Nery; Sa Susunod Na Habang Buhay by Ben&Ben; Saan by Maki; Raining in Manila by Lola Amour; and Karera by BINI.

I am curious to find out which of these titles will still be around when I recap the sounds of the year 2024 come December and which ones will be so popular, they will remain strong among streamers throughout 2025. And then also sad, sad, sad, which ones of them will be forgotten.