The 2024 Awit Awards nominations are out. And what a list it turned out to be. This must be one of the most star-studded years ever in the 55-year history of the Awit Awards. Mind you, the Awit is the music industry award. The people behind this know what they are doing and have been at it for a long time.
All of the big stars are represented from Juan Karlos to Sarah Geronimo to SB-19 and Gary Valenciano to BINI and down to those bands with truly enchanting sounds Lola Amour and Sunkissed Lola.
The nominees list of well-established names like Gloc-9 and Hev Abi and exciting newcomers like the Uncle Bob Funky Seven Club and Riva Ferrer speaks well of the state of the Philippine music industry. Despite the lack of government support and the influx of foreign acts day in and day out, our artists and producers continue to create music, and very good sounds at that. Don’t tell me you do not enjoy listening to Raining in Manila or getting that bitin feeling with ERE?
Do make the time to listen to the song nominees. Find more tunes to enjoy. They are among the best in recent years. Besides those streams will surely help keep the local music business alive and grooving. That is the best incentive there is for these artists to make more.
•Song of the Year: Raining in Manila by Lola Amour; ERE by Juan Karlos; Pantropiko by BINI; Gento by SB-19; Saan? by MAKI.
•Record of the Year: ERE by Juan Karlos; Pantropiko by BINI; Panahon by Unique Salonga; Gento by SB-19; Raining in Manila by Lola Amour.
•Album of the Year: Patutunguhan by Cup of Joe; Manila in Bloom by Nameless Kids; One Clock Straight by One Clock Straight; Patatag! by SB-19; Daisy by Unique Salonga.
•New Artist of the Year: Hele Pono by Jel Rey; Damdamin by Misha de Leon; Muli by Jack D’ Preacher; Gasera by Cedric Escobar; Woke Up Like This (Get Up! Get Up!) by Reese; Hawak Mo by Lyka Estrella; Sarili by Riva Ferrer.
•New Group of the Year: Sinulit by Mint Magic; Pasabay by Uncle Bob Funky Seven Club; Bituin by Dear Dahlia; Bakit Papa? by Yara; Yayakapin by Yes My Love.
•Best Solo Performance: Pag-ibig (Meron Ba?) by Ace Banzuelo; ‘Wag Kang Bibitaw by Cean Jr.; Gabay by syd hartha; Small Town by Clara Benin; Letting You Go by Joey Generoso.
•Best Group Performance: Gento by SB-19; GLNG by XOXO; Raining in Manila by Lola Amour; Pantropiko by BINI; White Toyota by Sunkissed Lola; Come by Urbandub; Laruan by 1621 BC.
•Best Alternative: Wicked Heart by Barbie Almalbis; JPG by Juan Karlos; Raining in Manila by Lola Amour; Luna by Sunkissed Lola; Come by Urbandub; Hayaan by YNO.
•Best Ballad: Ayoko Na by Yca Frias; Ayokong Masanay by Jire Lim; Himig ng Puso by Sarah Geronimo; Paalam Leonora by Sugarcane; Tapusin Na Natin Ito by Ben&Ben.
•Best Collaboration: Duyan ng Bayan by Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel and Gloc-9; Alam by Sarah Geronimo and John Roa; Pakundangan by DEMI and Hev Abi; Walang Pumapalakpak by Gloc-9 and Gary Valenciano; Tingin by Cup of Joe and Janine Tenoso; Treading Water by Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo Manalac.
•Best Dance: Crimzone by SB-19; Day and Night by Alamat; Gento by SB-19; Isulti Lang by DJ Young and Paul Pablo; and Takaw Tingin by Paul Pablo.
•Best Inspirational: Karera by BINI; Courage by Ben&Ben; Faith, Hope and Love by Jamie Rivera and Jed Madela; Huwag Kang Mag-alala by Noel Cabangon; Seek First by Quest.
•Best Music Video: Gento by SB-19; I Want You by SB-19; Wild Tonight by Josh Cullen; Karera by BINI; Wow I Finally Learned to Write a Love Song by Pappel.
For the rest of the nominations, please check the Awit Awards website.