Sony Music Philippines

{{Short description|Philippine record label}}

{{Use Philippine English|date=December 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}

{{Infobox record label

| name = {{Color|#ffffff|Sony Music Philippines}}

| bgcolor = #f01c1c

| image = Sony Music Entertainment Logo 2023.svg

| image_size =

| parent = Sony Music Entertainment{{cite web|url=https://www.sonymusicapac.com|title=Sony Music - Asia Pacific (APAC)|accessdate=March 10, 2019}}

| founded = 1995 (original)
2018 (relaunch)

| founder =

| fate =

| defunct = February 2012 (original)

| status =

| distributor =

| genre = Various

| country = Philippines

| location = Pasig (2005–12, 2018–present)

| url = {{URL|sonymusic.com.ph}}

}}

Sony Music Philippines, Inc. is a record label based in the Philippines, which was founded in 1995{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EwoEAAAAMBAJ&q=Sony+Music+Entertainment+%28Philippines%29+Inc.&pg=PA42|title = Billboard|date = August 15, 1998}} as an imprint{{cite web|url= https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/music/sony-music-philippines-signs-5-local-artists-a00289-20190802|title= Sony Music Philippines Just Signed 5 Local Artists|work=Esquire Magazine PH|accessdate=February 22, 2020}} 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,{{cite web|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/sony-music-succumbs-to-piracy-closes-philippine-office|title=Sony Music succumbs to piracy, closes Philippine office|work=InterAksyon|publisher=News5|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614012436/http://www.interaksyon.com/infotech/sony-music-succumbs-to-piracy-closes-philippine-office|archivedate=June 14, 2012|url-status=dead|accessdate=June 9, 2012}} it resumed its operations in 2018.{{cite web |last1=Liwanag |first1=Punch |title=Audio Junkie: Sony Music opens shop anew in PH |url=https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2018/09/15/audio-junkie-sony-music-opens-shop-anew-in-ph/ |website=Manila Bulletin |access-date=August 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915115337/https://entertainment.mb.com.ph/2018/09/15/audio-junkie-sony-music-opens-shop-anew-in-ph/ |archive-date=September 15, 2018}}

History

In 1995, after OctoArts International (now PolyEast Records) signed a distribution deal with EMI, Sony Music Philippines was established with its first office on Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong. 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/label/179825-BMG-Records-Pilipinas-Inc|title = BMG Records (Pilipinas) Inc|website = Discogs}} 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. 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.{{cite web|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/28/sony-music-philippines-reveals-roster-of-filipino-music-artists/|title=Sony Music Philippines reveals roster of Filipino music artists|work=BusinessMirror|date=July 28, 2019|accessdate=February 22, 2020}}

In late 2019, Filipino boy band SB19 signed a recording contract with the label.{{cite web|url=http://push.abs-cbn.com/2019/12/25/fresh-scoops/look-sb19-signs-with-sony-music-222828 |title= LOOK: SB19 signs with Sony Music|work=PUSH.com.ph|publisher=ABS-CBN|accessdate=February 22, 2020}} 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.

In 2023, Sony Music Philippines formed a partnership with Ely Buendia's label Offshore Music, allowing SMP to distribute Offshore's music catalogs worldwide.{{cite news |last1=Liwanag |first1=Punch |title=Offshore Music teams up with Sony Music Philippines |url=https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/23/offshore-music-teams-up-with-sony-music-philippines |access-date=24 November 2023 |work=Manila Bulletin |date=24 August 2023}}

Artists

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=Current=

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==Offmute (sublabel)==

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==Waterwalk Records (sublabel)==

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

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==Associated/affiliated labels==

;;Balcony Entertainment

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  • Suzara (Bolichie and Top Suzara)
  • Raven Aviso
  • Maris Racal

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;;Yellow Room Music (independent label owned by Monty Macalino)

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;;Offshore Music

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  • Apartel
  • Ena Mori
  • Pinkmen
  • Sulo
  • Sansette
  • Eliza Marie
  • Toni Panagu
  • Amateurish
  • Alyson
  • Bree
  • Carousel Casualties
  • Mt. Lewis
  • Pamphleteer
  • Stef Aranas

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;;Off the Record

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=Former=

Musiko Records/BMG Records (Pilipinas)

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Sony Music Entertainment Philippines (first incarnation)

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

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See also

References

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