From BINI, Maki, and more, these breakout stars had a killer 2024, and we can’t wait to see what they have in store for 2025.
Related: These Filipino Content Creators Took Over Our Feeds In 2024—And We Loved It
Every year brings the excitement of the personalities who break through the noise as names to watch out for. We aren’t just talking about main character moments, but stars who had a main character year with a level of success deserving of their talent. That was the case for the following artists.
Some made their debuts in the past year, and others have been on the scene for years, but they all can flex in the fact that 2024 was their time, which definitely put them on the map. And all can we say is that if this is how they ate this hard in 2024, who knows what the new year can bring? Check out these breakthrough Filipino artists below.
ARMAN SALON
@scarlet_macasusi ♬ original sound – armanSalon
The beauty of TikTok, if you forget the misinformation, disinformation, and harassment that can come from it, is how it can be used as a tool for anyone to achieve online fame that can translate to real-world success. Case in point: Arman Macasusi, more popularly known as Arman Salon. The Rizal-based hairdresser quickly found himself the talk of social media with his hysterical acting skits on TikTok to the point where he even went internationally viral.
The fact that he’s already got to work with big-name stars and was a frequent presence in MMFF 2024 promotions proved Arman’s impact. In a time of microtrends and fleeting online fame, Arman Salon deserves his title of being one of the biggest breakout TikTok stars of 2024, and we hope he’ll get to secure the acting bag even more in 2025.
BINI
INSTAGRAM/BINI_PH
Where do we even begin? 2024 was BINI’s year as they slayed their way to the top unlike any before. While BINI is no stranger to going viral (OG Blooms will remember Da Coconut Nut and Na Na Na having a moment on social media) this year was different as the virality of Pantropiko and Salamin Salamin led the group to being one of the most talked-about artists of the year. The BINI hype was real as they broke records left and right, and they were everywhere in 2024 with engagements both locally and abroad. From a P-pop fave to everyone’s fave, BINI did that.
CARLOS YULO
INSTAGRAM/C_EDRIELZXS
Now if we’re talking 2024 main characters, we can’t forget Carlos Yulo. From being one of the Philippines’ best gymnasts to being the country’s golden boy, Carlos flipped and tumbled his way to the top of the podium. You probably remember where you were when Carlos bagged his two gold medals at the Paris Olympics. The most searched athlete on Google Philippines in 2024 not only brought pride to the country but also reminded the nation of the importance of supporting Filipino athletes regardless of sport. Not even gossip and drama could dent Carlos’ feats in 2024.
CHELSEA MANALO
INSTAGRAM/THEMISSUNIVERSEPH
Our current reigning Miss Universe Philippines and first-ever Miss Universe Asia deserves her flowers because of how she smashed expectations in the local pageant scene. Chelsea Manalo came through as a beauty queen, advocate, and icon. Her achievements this year not only broke old stereotypes, but Chelsea also helped inspire the new generation to appreciate themselves regardless of how they look in a society that can still cling to rigid beauty standards.
EJ OBIENA
INSTAGRAM/ERNESTOBIENAPV
You know you’re that boy when you become associated with a viral song on TikTok. While he almost landed a podium placement at the 2024 Olympics, EJ Obiena’s 4th place finish was still admirable. But what’s even more admirable is what EJ did after the Olympics. Not only did he become the nation’s boyfriend and certified it-boy of the month as he unapologetically stood on business, but he also used his fame and platform to give the spotlight to the state of pole vaulting in the country and campaigned for more support for Filipino pole vaulters.
HEV ABI
INSTAGRAM/HEVABIOFFICIAL
Chances are you couldn’t go anywhere this 2024 without listening to at least one Hev Abi song. From the radio to the charts, Hev Abi had the hits that had everyone vibing and helped Pinoy rap and hip-hop dominate playlists. If you want to know how just much he owned the year, Hev was the second most streamed artist on Spotify Philippines in 2024, second only to Taylor Swift, and was the most streamed OPM artist of the year. One of Pinoy hip-hop’s biggest acts fr.
HYACINTH CALLADO
INSTAGRAM/HYACINTHCALLADO
The Univeristy Series had its fair share of moments in 2024, and getting to know Hyacinth Callado was a real treat. As Elyse Ledezma on Chasing in the Wild, Hyacinth made a name for herself both on and off-screen. From her solo work, advocacies, and popular love team with Gab Lagman called HyGab, Hyacinth firmly secured the it-girl bag in the past year.
MAKI
INSTAGRAM/CLFRNIA_MAKI
One-hit-wonder who? In a year of successful solo male OPM acts like TJ Monterde and Dionela, Maki redefined what it means to be a solo male artist as he took on the scene with his stable of colorful chart-topping bops and personal style that we’ve come to know as the Maki ‘fit. Saan lowkey predicted Maki’s 2024 as he’d find himself all over with W after W, including having international artists as fans. Michael V even parodied the artist on Bubble Gang, a sign of your pop culture relevance.
MARINA SUMMERS
INSTAGRAM/MARINAXSUMMERS/PHOTO BY VITTO NAVIDAD
World, it’s summer time. Marina is no stranger to having breakout moments, such as when she proved to be a fan-favorite on the inaugural season of Drag Race Philippines back in 2022. But 2024 was Marina’s year, and that’s thanks to her knockout run on UK vs. the World season 2. We knew Marina was going to eat on the season, but boy did she deliver and then some.
It was a near-flawless run that she quickly followed up with achievement after achievement for the rest of the year. This Filipina winnah had the world at her fingertips, and she’s already booked with exciting projects for 2025, most notably playing Glinda on a UK production of The Wizard of Oz.
MAXIE ANDREISON
INSTAGRAM/MAXIEANDREISON
Fans of Filipino drag may best know Maxie from her time on Queen of the Universe which was sadly cut short. But 2024 was the year she broke through by winning Drag Race Philippines season 3, no small feat given the caliber of icons the season had like Angel and Khianna.
Maxie solidified her status as an undeniable star who can tear up the stage, whether in a lipsync or a live performance. But what we love most about Maxie is how we got to see her personality shine this year as she strived not just to lift herself up, but also her fellow queens. Maxie is a star, and we can’t wait to see what she’s cooking for 2025, such as with her concert in February.
YAELOKRE
INSTAGRAM/YAELOKRE
If there’s one thing we learned in 2024, it’s that listeners love authenticity in artists, especially those who know how to build and tell their own worlds. That’s something Filipino songwriter-artist Keath Osk, more commonly known as Yaelokre, has in the bag. Yaelokre, who is known for their Renaissance era ‘fits, made their debut in 2024 and quickly made a name for themselves with their fantasy storytelling and worldbuilding when it comes to the artist’s lore.
There’s wonder and magic in his work with his ability to bring to life stories visually and musically. Rarely do we see this level of creativity in OPM, and people took notice both in the Philippines and abroad as they racked up followers and streams in the millions. To date, their song, Harpy Hare, has over 87 million streams on Spotify and topped Spotify’s Global Viral Songs for multiple days.
Continue Reading: NYLON Manila Picks: The Artists That Made Our 2024 So Much Better
