It would be a cliché to start this article with the description of how devastating this year has been due to the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to wreak havoc in our lives, together with the stressful news, and events that circulating on the social media.

Thanks to the newly introduced OPM artists, we can still say that 2021 is still a good year for us, with their astounding and overflowing talents that helped us respite from reality. These local artists that made their way to our playlists, digital collections, or even CD collections, played a huge role of keeping ourselves sane this year.

And to give you a guide on which artists to lookout for in 2022, we list down names of top OPM artists that did well on the streaming platforms this year.

Zack Tabudlo

It can still be recalled during the first time we have heard of Zack Tabudlo was when he was 12, during his audition for the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines in 2014. Six years later, the singer-songwriter rocketed his way to becoming one of the exciting acts in the country.

With Zack Tabudlo’s soothing and refreshing vocals, it would be a shame if his name was not included on this list. Filipinos’ love for romantic music was once again validated by Tabudlo’s music, in the likes of “Binibini,” and “Nangangamba”, which nabbed the first and second spots as the Most Repeated Local Songs on Spotify Philippines.

Arthur Nery

You can never go wrong with Arthur Nery’s music. Being tagged as the “Music Heartthrob from the South,” Nery is undeniably one of the fresh acts in the country to watch out for.

As head of OC Records label, the musician and actor Kean Cipriano has been constantly #OnTheLookout for local talents that he can manage and produce records for, and turn into stars, including Unique Salonga, who is under his label. And thanks to him, Filipinos got new talented soloist to listen to. This year, Arthur Nery has already been receiving tons of love from his fans as the artist reached top 5 in Spotify PH’s Top Streamed Local Artist, while his debut album Letters Never Sent is the Top Local Album in the country this year.

NOBITA

NOBITA is a 5-member local pop rock band that exhibits unique taste on hugot love songs, proven with their name which was said to be taken from Japanese-Katakana word, which means “to grow up strong and clear.” The band has made it to the semi-finals of the popular battle of the bands, “Muziklaban.” In 2020, the band started its kickoff with their single “Ikaw Lang”, which then became a viral track. The band has officially signed under Sony Music Philippines this year.

Adie

Adie is popularly known with his single “Paraluman,” with its music video that featured the social media personality Ivana Alawil. Prior to his successful single’s release, Adie’s career has started when he gathered a large following on social media after posting viral covers of his favorite songs online.

He then got his first major shot at songwriting when he submitted an original entry for Callalily’s “Open Collab” competition-a songwriting contest that would grant the winner an opportunity to write a collaborative track with the band. Albeit Adie didn’t win first place, he still made it to the Top 10, and before he knew it, just like Arthur Nery, Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano spotted his potential and offered him a recording and management deal with his label.