Lai Frances is a contributor to GRAMMY.com.
When BINI delivered their pre-debut performance on the Philippine television program "It's Showtime" in 2020, Jhoanna declared, "we hope to represent what the modern Filipina is." The eight-member ensemble — composed of Jhoanna, Aiah, Colet, Gwen, Maloi, Mikha, Sheena, and Stacey — have done just that since their formation on Philippine network ABS-CBN's reality competition show "Star Hunt Academy" in…
It's no secret that Filipinos can unapologetically belt out a song from Celine Dion, Whitney Houston or any pop diva on the mic. But beyond the viral videos of them singing their hearts out in malls or in their homes, the Filipino music scene is vibrantly filled with heart and emotions; and often taken over by powerful soloists like the…
After two years of K-pop concert drought, it seems like 2022 is the year the genre returns to the stage. K-pop acts like BTS, TWICE, ATEEZ, Monsta X, ONEUS and more have already showered the United States with residencies and tours in the first half, setting the stage — literally — of what else is to come from other labels…
