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The Wicked Movie Soundtrack: A Cultural and Musical Phenomenon

December 20, 2024

The highly anticipated Wicked movie adaptation has not only reignited excitement for the beloved Broadway musical but has also become a cultural sensation, making waves in the music and film...

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Bruno Mars Celebrates Collaborations With Lady Gaga and Rosé

December 20, 2024

Bruno Mars is no stranger to collaborating with some of the biggest names in the music industry, and his recent projects with Lady Gaga and Rosé have cemented his role as a genre-blending hitmaker...

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Conan Gray: The Vulnerable Pop Star Redefining Authenticity

December 20, 2024

In an era where pop music often celebrates perfection, Conan Gray has emerged as a beacon of authenticity. With his introspective lyrics, haunting melodies, and relatable vulnerability, Conan has...

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The Legend of BossMan Dlo: A Journey of Grit, Growth, and Greatness

December 20, 2024

In every team, there’s always that one person who becomes the heart and soul of the group. For many, that person is Boss Man Dlo. Whether you’ve heard his name shouted across courts, mentioned in...

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Kesha Unleashes New Single ‘Delusional,’ Showcasing a Bold New Chapter

December 8, 2024

Kesha is back, and she’s making a powerful statement with her latest single, Delusional. The track, released today, marks the beginning of a bold new chapter for the pop icon, blending her...

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Nessa Barrett: Redefining Pop and Empowering Vulnerability

December 8, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of pop music, Nessa Barrett has emerged as a powerful force who isn’t afraid to express the rawest parts of herself. From her early days as a social media personality to...

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Lola Young: The Rising Star Redefining Soul and R&B

December 8, 2024

Lola Young has quickly become one of the most exciting new voices in the UK music scene. With her soulful voice, poetic lyrics, and unapologetic presence, she is reshaping the boundaries of soul...

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Shaboozey Bar Song: A Melody of Nostalgia and Good Times

December 8, 2024

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Alicia Keys: A Journey of Talent, Authenticity, and Impact

December 8, 2024

Born in Hell’s Kitchen, New York, in 1981, Alicia Keys emerged as a powerful force in the music industry just two decades later. Her debut album, *Songs in A Minor*, released in 2001 on RCA Records...

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The Enduring Influence of The Weeknd: Redefining Music and Legacy

December 8, 2024

In the ever-evolving world of music, only a select few artists possess the vision and talent to transcend genres and redefine industry standards. Among these trailblazers stands The Weeknd, whose...

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North West Steals the Spotlight in Kanye West’s New Video Featuring “Depo Babies”

December 8, 2024

Kanye West’s latest video has everyone talking, and at the center of it all is none other than his daughter, North West. The 10-year-old is making waves with her charismatic performance, showcasing...

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The Weeknd Builds Anticipation for Tomorrow’s Album Release

December 8, 2024

The wait is almost over—The Weeknd’s highly anticipated album drops tomorrow, and fans are buzzing with excitement. Known for his genre-defying sound and cinematic storytelling, the artist has been...

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MANILA GREY: Vancouver's Rising R&B Duo

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MANILA GREY

The Filipino-Canadian duo from Vancouver has been releasing new tracks left and right, and they are known for their most streamed songs on Spotify, “Timezones,” and “Silver Skies.” Previously known as “Gentleman’s Vibe” in 2014/2015, MANILA GREY rebranded to represent their culture and Filipino background. The R&B duo has gathered over 400,000 monthly listeners on Spotify since they started as MANILA GREY in 2017, creating music that has inspired many Asian-Canadians. 

Soliven Blame (left in header image) has always expressed his love for songwriting and said so himself in an interview with HYPEBEAST, “I’ve always wanted to create something from my imagination that people can get lost in.” He notes that his biggest music influencers come from artists like Musiq Soulchild and City & Colour. Neeko (right in header image) says his music influencers are Outkast, Bow Wow and Usher. 

The two combined have shown their impeccable work by expressing their culture and identity through their music. You might think they’re almost like brothers but they both grew up as childhood friends. Both Soliven and Neeko expressed the lack of Asian culture growing up in Vancouver and that’s what drove them to write songs to bring a community together. 

MANILA GREY has successfully released 3 new singles in late 2022 to early 2023: “Hoodie Back” (featuring Guapdad 4000), “Comfortable in Silence,” and “Ube.” The duo has toured and performed in Asia, including places like Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines. In 2022, they completed their Canadian and U.S.A tour. Over the course of their international tour, they performed at various music venues, such as VELD Music in Toronto and the Head in the Clouds Festival in both Los Angeles and in Manila. Head in the Clouds Festival is known for featuring many musical artists across the Asian diaspora. 

FreebieMNL & 88rising

MANILA GREY is one of the few Asian-Canadian artists that brings Eastern and Western culture together. Hence their stage name which combines “Manila” representing the city in the Philippines and “Grey” representing Vancouver weather. It’s a unique concept that the two have come up with. Their work has been well-recognized internationally and one of their songs called  “Backhouse Ballin’,” featured the FIlipino-Australian singer and actor James Reid. Many of their songs feature lyrics that show how they connect culture and identity. Notably, the beginning and ending of the song says:

 “On the West side we gon’ party, 

Pull up to the East side we gon’ play,

On the North side that’s my first love,

Can’t forget the South side,” 

These lyrics highlight the connection between the East and West through their latest collaboration with James Reid. You can read more about the backstory of the song from NYLON MANILA here

MANILA GREY

MANILA GREY have slowly built up their spotlight in the music industry as they continue to write music. The endless support they receive from their Canadian and international fans shows the spotlight they deserve. Many fans are looking forward to their upcoming concerts and performances, one of which is set to occur in August 2023 in San Francisco for the Outside Lands Festival. 

Check out their interview done by HYPEBEAST, discussing more about their music goals and career here

You can also check out their latest music video for their single “Comfortable in Silence,” which invigorates an energy of love and comfort, below.