I bet you are still experiencing the Last Song Syndrome from Bad Bunny’s DtMF album since his SuperBowl performance in February 2026.
Perhaps international artists may hit the spot on vibing to everyday events but here is what you miss on some Cebuano artists you might even heard on the radio a couple times, but you didn’t catch who they are and yet they’re worth listening to:
Midnasty
Hip-hop brothers hailing from Dumaguete City are already steady in the game for 20 years. If “Ilongga” was on repeat in your playlist back in 2015, then you’ve already felt their vibe. They’ve dropped their latest song “Natuman”, proving they’re not just riding nostalgia. Most of their tracks feature real talk, and that laid-back Visayan swag that feels familiar.
Wonggoys
Another band of brothers making noise in the scene is Wonggoys, composed of William, Kyle, and Gab Wong. Their music feels like late-night drives, neon lights, and conversations that last until sunrise.
Lourdes Maglinte
If heartbreak had a voice in Cebuano R&B, then it would probably sound like Lourdes Maglinte.
She rose to stardom after winning a VisPop Award for her song “Buwag Balik,” a track that perfectly captures the push-and-pull of love that won’t quite let go. Her melodies are soft but heavy with emotion, the kind you listen to alone at night when you’re in your feelings.
Route 83
Looking for that summer situationship kilig? That’ll make you say, “Mao Na Gyud Ni”? Here is an electronic pop duo, Carlisle Tabanera, and Relden Campanilla composed tons of Bisaya-English love songs that will surely capture a summer love type of vibe. They have mastered their songs to sound upbeat and dreamy. They also have other tracks that make you feel like the main character.
Cattski
This local singer-songwriter reminds you of early 2000s indie vocals. Her music feels timeless and the kind you’d during a reflective road trip. There’s comfort in her sound, like revisiting an old memory that still makes you smile.
Global artists will always have their place on our playlists and yes, but there’s something different about listening to music that feels closer to home. So the next time you open the Spotify app, maybe mix things up. Support local and discover intentionally because sometimes the best tracks aren’t just worldwide hits, they are homegrown.