Unique (musician)
{{short description|Filipino musician and singer-songwriter}}
{{About|the Filipino musician|the English musician|Darren Styles}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Philippine name|Torralba|Salonga}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Unique Salonga
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Unique Torralba Salonga
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|2000|4|26}}
| birth_place = Manila, Philippines
| genre = {{hlist|Pinoy rock|psychedelic rock|experimental}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Musician|Songwriter|Director}}
| instrument = {{hlist|Vocals|Guitar|Keyboards/Synths}}
| years_active = 2014–present
| associated_acts = IV of Spades
| label = *O/C Records
}}
Unique Torralba Salonga, known mononymously as Unique or stylized as UNIQUE (born April 26, 2000), is a Filipino singer-songwriter and musician. He began his career as a vocalist and original frontman of IV of Spades and later pursued a solo career.
Career
=Band frontman=
==2014–2018: ''IV of Spades''==
{{main|IV of Spades}}
In June 2014, Allan Silonga decided to form a band for his son Blaster, who would become the band's lead guitarist. The Silongas were able to recruit drummer Badjao de Castro and bassist Zild Benitez, who are the sons of Allan's friends. Unique Salonga, who was already writing his own music, was later recruited to become the band's lead singer.{{cite news |last1=Gloria |first1=Gaby |title=IV of Spades is ready to boogie |url=https://youngstar.philstar.com/iv-spades-ready-boogie/ |access-date=June 12, 2018 |work=The Philippine Star |publisher=Youngstar |date=October 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308164808/https://youngstar.philstar.com/iv-spades-ready-boogie/ |archive-date=March 8, 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Fernandez |first1=Denise |title=Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band |url=http://www.scoutmag.ph/music/iv-of-spades-denise-20171201 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |work=Scout Magazine |date=December 1, 2017}}
IV of Spades signed to a record label and released their first single "Ilaw sa Daan" under Warner Music Philippines.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}
The group's second single, "Hey Barbara" was released on July 9, 2017, and followed up by their third single "Where Have You Been My Disco?", released on December 9, 2017, via YouTube.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}
In 2018, the band released their fourth single called "Mundo". It became the group's highest viewed single on YouTube. The band's videos have over 100 million views on YouTube.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}
IV of Spades won the New Artist of the Year and the MYX Bandarito Performance of the Year and Nominated as Group of the Year at the annual Myx Music Awards.{{Cite web|url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/the-boys-of-iv-of-spades-get-into-the-myx/|title=The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx {{!}} BusinessMirror|website=businessmirror.com.ph|date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2018}} The band also won Dreams Come True with AirAsia, the airline's search for the most promising acts in the region. The band performed with David Foster as part of their prize. They also won the Favorite New Group award at the 30th annual Awit Awards.{{citation needed|date=May 2018}}
On May 4, 2018, Unique Salonga left IV of Spades in order to pursue a solo career.{{Cite web|url=http://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/05/05/18/iv-of-spades-vocalist-unique-salonga-leaves-band|title=IV of Spades vocalist Unique Salonga leaves band|website=news.abs-cbn.com|access-date=May 5, 2018}}
=Solo career=
==2018–present==
In 2018, Salonga released his debut single, Midnight Sky, under the label of O/C Records of VIVA. In the same year, Salonga released his debut album, Grandma,{{Cite web|url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/unique-surprises-fans-with-debut-album-grandma-listen|title=Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma|website=www.bandwagon.asia|date=August 13, 2018 |access-date=August 13, 2018}} and his first solo concert was held on September 29, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ticketnet.com.ph/events/detail/148|title=Ticketnet Online|website=www.ticketnet.com.ph|access-date=September 25, 2018}}
He released his second album, PANGALAN: in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/256113-unique-salonga-new-album-pangalan|title=LISTEN: Unique Salonga drops strange new album, 'Pangalan'|website=www.rappler.com|date=March 27, 2020 |access-date=13 April 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/unique-salonga-sophomore-album-pangalan-oc-records-listen|title=Unique Salonga unveils sophomore album Pangalan – listen|website=www.bandwagon.asia|date=March 26, 2020 |access-date=13 April 2020}}
On September 29, 2023, Salonga released his third album, Daisy.{{cite web | url=https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/unique-salonga-releases-new-album-daisy-oc-records-listen-september-2023 | title=Unique Salonga evokes "simplicity, peace, and love" in surprise album, 'Daisy' – listen | date=September 29, 2023 }}
Discography
=Albums=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of Studio Albums with Selected Details ! scope="col" style="width:10em;" |Title ! scope="col" style="width:18em;" |Album Details ! scope="col" style="width:5em;" |Ref |
| scope="row" |Grandma
|
|
|---|
| scope="row" |PANGALAN:
|
|
| scope="row" |Daisy
|
|
=Singles=
as Solo Artist
| class="wikitable" |
| Title
!Year !Album !Reference |
|---|
| Midnight Sky
|rowspan="2"|2018 |rowspan="3"|Grandma |
| Cha-Ching! |
| Sino
|rowspan="3"|2019 |
| Lamang Lupa
|rowspan="4"|PANGALAN: |
| Bukod-Tangi |
| Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit
|2020 |
| Mga Katulad Mo
|rowspan="2"|2021 | |
| Reality Checklist
|rowspan="2"{{N/A|Non-album single}} | |
| Oblivion
|2022 | |
| Panahon
|2023 |Daisy | |
with IV of Spades
| class="wikitable" |
| Title
!Year !Album |
|---|
| Ilaw Sa Daan
|2016 |rowspan="4"{{N/A|Non-album singles}} |
| Hey Barbara
|rowspan="2"|2017 |
| Where Have You Been, My Disco |
| Mundo
|2018 |
Accolades
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Award !Category !Notable Works !Result ! class="unsortable"| {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | 2019
| style="text-align:center;" | 32nd Awit Award | style="text-align:center;" | Best Cover Art | style="text-align:center;" | "Grandma" | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/07/23/19/awit-awards-2019-full-list-of-nominees|title=Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees|publisher=ABS-CBN News|date=23 July 2019|access-date=18 September 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/242299-list-winners-awit-awards-2019|title=FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019|publisher=Rappler|date=11 October 2019|access-date=12 October 2019}} |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | 14th Myx Music Awards
| style="text-align:center;" | Male Artist of the Year | style="text-align:center;" | Unique | {{Nominated}} | |
| style="text-align:center;" | Rock Video of the Year
| style="text-align:center;" | "Cha-Ching!" | {{Nominated}} | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | 2020
| style="text-align:center;" | 5th Wish Music Awards | style="text-align:center;" | Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year | style="text-align:center;" | "Bukod-Tangi" | {{Nominated}} | style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|url=https://www.wish1075.com/complete-list-5th-wish-107-5-music-awards-nominees/|title=COMPLETE LIST: 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Nominees|publisher=Wish 107.5|date=December 14, 2019|access-date=January 20, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.wish1075.com/5th-wish-107-5-music-awards-complete-list-of-winners/|title=5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners|publisher=Wish 107.5|date=January 19, 2020|access-date=January 20, 2020}} |
| style="text-align:center;" | 15th Myx Music Awards
| style="text-align:center;" | Rock Video of the Year | style="text-align:center;" | "Sino" | {{Nominated}} | |
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | 2021
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | 6th Wish Music Awards | style="text-align:center;" | Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Song of the Year | style="text-align:center;" | "Sino" | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | {{cite web |title=The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees |url=https://www.wish1075.com/6th-wish-music-awards-nominees/ |website=Wish 107.5 |date=October 23, 2020 |access-date=22 November 2020}} |
| style="text-align:center;" | Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year
| style="text-align:center;" | "Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit" | {{Nom}} |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{facebook|id=uniquetsph|name=Unique}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Unique}}
Category:Filipino rock musicians
Category:21st-century Filipino male singers