Sony Music Philippines

Sony Music Philippines, Inc. is a record label based in the Philippines, which was founded in 1995[2] as an imprint[3] of the international music label Sony Music Entertainment and a part of its Asia-Pacific chain. After the closure of the local label caused by widespread piracy problems in the Philippines in 2012,[4] it resumed its operations in 2018.[5]

Sony Music Philippines
Parent companySony Music Entertainment[1]
Founded1995 (first incarnation)
2018 (second incarnation)
DefunctFebruary 2012 (first incarnation)
GenreVarious
Country of originPhilippines
LocationQuezon City (2012–2017)
Pasig (2018–present)
Official websitesonymusic.com.ph

History

In 1995, after OctoArts International (now PolyEast Records) signed a distribution deal with EMI, Sony Music Philippines was established with its first office at the Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong.[2] In 2005, as an after-effect of the Sony BMG merger (which happened a year earlier), it merged with Bertelsmann's local label BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc. (itself founded in the early 1990s) to become Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines.[6] A few months later, its offices were transferred from the Equitable Bank Building in Cubao, Quezon City to the Taipan Place in Ortigas, Pasig for even lower taxes and better work amenities. In 2009, the label was renamed Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, and also began partnering with GMA Records for releases of some artists like Aljur Abrenica and La Diva.

Ivory Music and Video (formerly Ivory Records) began handling distribution for Sony Music's catalog in the Philippines on July 1, 2011, and in February 2012, the label closed its office at the Taipan Place in Ortigas, Pasig after a long battle with widespread piracy.[5] This was the first time since the early 1990s (under OctoArts) that international Sony Music releases were licensed by an independent Philippine label. The distribution contract expired in late 2017, and Ivory was eventually acquired by independent entertainment company Viva Communications through its music unit on the day of what could have been the twelfth anniversary of the date they started to handle the Sony catalog.

Sony Music Philippines started to re-open in 2018 (and since then it became fully independent since early 2011), and in July 2019, the label held a press event in Pasig marking its formal re-launching, announcing the new roster of artists signed to them which includes Ben&Ben, The Vowels They Orbit, Alex Bruce, Syd Hartha, and the band Nathan & Mercury.[7]

In late 2019, Filipino boy band SB19 signed a recording contract with the label.[8] In March 2022, Filipina girl group 4th Impact also signed a recording contract.

In 2020, artists from Balcony Entertainment, including its founder Rico Blanco and actress/singer Maris Racal, signed an agreement with Sony Music Philippines to distribute single/album releases from the Balcony roster.

In 2021, SME launched Waterwalk Records, a sublabel focused on Contemporary Christian music featuring artists like Morissette.

Artists

Current

Offmute (sublabel)

Waterwalk Records (sublabel)
  • Morissette (Underdog Music PH / Stages Productions)
  • Hazel Faith
  • EJ De Perio
  • Janine Danielle
  • Sam&Steff
  • Gloryfall

Associated/affiliated labels
Balcony Entertainment
  • Suzara (Bolichie and Top Suzara)
  • Raven Aviso
  • Maris Racal
Yellow Room Music (independent label owned by Monty Macalino)
  • 647
  • Sharlene San Pedro
  • Kuatro Kantos
  • Leila Manalac
  • Madeline
  • Suddenly Monday
  • Southern Lights
  • Eloisa Jayloni

Former

Musiko Records/BMG Records (Pilipinas)

Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (first incarnation)

Musiko Records/Sony BMG Music Entertainment Philippines/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (second incarnation)

See also

References
  1. "Sony Music - Asia Pacific (APAC)". Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  2. "Billboard". August 15, 1998.
  3. "Sony Music Philippines Just Signed 5 Local Artists". Esquire Magazine PH. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  4. "Sony Music succumbs to piracy, closes Philippine office". InterAksyon. News5. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2012.
  5. Liwanag, Punch. "Audio Junkie: Sony Music opens shop anew in PH". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  6. "BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc". Discogs.
  7. "Sony Music Philippines reveals roster of Filipino music artists". BusinessMirror. July 28, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  8. "LOOK: SB19 signs with Sony Music". PUSH.com.ph. ABS-CBN. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  9. "Whatever happened to Jao Mapa?".
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