Maki (singer)
Maki | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Ralph William Datoon |
| Born | November 27, 1999 |
| Origin | Quezon City, Philippines |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Years active | 2021–present |
| Labels | Tarsier Records |
Ralph William Datoon (born November 27, 1999), known professionally as Maki, is a Filipino singer and songwriter from Quezon City.[1] He garnered recognition from his viral songs "Saan?" and "Bakit?" from his debut EP, Tanong, which was released on September 22, 2023, where both songs received major traction on Spotify.[2] In 2024, he gained mainstream popularity for his single "Dilaw". The song charted on the global Spotify chart, becoming the third Filipino song to achieve that milestone.[3][4] It also became the first-ever number-one song on the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100.[5] He is currently signed under Tarsier Records.[6]
Career
[edit]Maki auditioned for the first season of the reality TV singing competition The Voice Teens. During high school, he struggled to find his path as a singer and eventually decided that singing might not be for him, prompting him to focus on college instead.[7]
Early in his career, he left the music scene as he was about to graduate from college, planning to step back from his career as a musician. However, a friend discovered his demo tape, which ended up with an A&R representative at Tarsier Records, catching the label's attention. Initially, the plan was to give him some exposure as an indie artist, but he eventually signed with the label.[8] He began appearing on TV shows such as It's Showtime.[9]
Maki also performed at gigs and busking events to promote his music. His debut single, "Halaga", was released on December 17, 2021, under Tarsier Records. In 2023, he released "Saan?", a song for people struggling to express feelings of separation anxiety. He initially teased the song on TikTok by posting a series of snippets, which went viral and garnered over 500,000 views.[10]
He released his debut EP, Tanong, on September 22, 2023, featuring the tracks "Saan?", and "Bakit?". Maki described the songs on the album as questions directed at people who are no longer in his life, missed opportunities, and reflections on himself. The tracks originated as journal entries that eventually became a collection of songs reflecting his personal journey.[11]
Maki gained widespread recognition in 2024 with the release of his song "Dilaw". The song topped local Spotify and Billboard charts and also charted on the global Spotify chart. It became the third OPM song in history to achieve this, following Juan Karlos' "Ere" and gins&melodies' "Babaero" featuring Hev Abi. The school-themed music video for the song featured Maloi Ricalde, the main vocalist of the P-Pop girl group Bini. Maki revealed that the song had been in his vault since August 2023, waiting for the right moment to release it.[12]
Artistry
[edit]Maki cited the musical influences such as Mariah Carey, The 1975, Michael Buble, Beabadoobee, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, and Taylor Swift. He often writes songs from a child-like perspective, aiming to create music that makes people feel understood, with melodies that evoke good memories, peace, and calmness.[13][14]
Discography
[edit]Extended play
[edit]| Title | Album Details |
|---|---|
| Tanong[15] |
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHL | |||
| "Halaga" | 2021 | — | Non-album singles |
| "Para Sa Buwan" | 2022 | — | |
| "Thinkin' Bout Your Smile" (with Gessie) |
— | ||
| "Better" (with KaixAaron) |
— | ||
| "Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw (R&B Version)" (with Moophs) |
— | ||
| "Halaga (Unplugged)" | — | ||
| "Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw (R&B Version) [Radio edit]" (with Moophs) |
— | ||
| "Saan?" | 2023 | 26 | Tanong |
| "Bakit?" | — | ||
| "Saan? (Live at the Cozy Cove)" | — | Non-album singles | |
| "HBD" | 2024 | — | |
| "Balse Ng Gabi (Remix)" (with Cesca) |
— | ||
| "Sikulo" (with Angela Ken and Nhiko) |
— | ||
| "Dilaw" | 1 | ||
| "Namumula" |
References
[edit]- ^ Mitchell, Courtney (February 21, 2024). "5 Artists You Should Know: Philippines". Daily Rind. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Bonoan, Christian (July 31, 2023). "Maki Goes Viral With Songs "Saan?" and "Bakit?"". MYX Global. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Saulog, Gabriel (June 11, 2024). "Maki Makes His Global Spotify Chart Debut With "Dilaw"". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "MAKI'S NEW SINGLE "DILAW" DEBUTS AT #200 ON GLOBAL SPOTIFY CHART". Zeen Magazine. June 11, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Basbas, Francheska Judine (July 3, 2024). "Maki Becomes First Artist To Hit No. 1 On Billboard Philippines Hot 100". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ "Tarsier Records artists mark 2022 wins; introduces fresh music this year". ABS-CBN CORPORATE (in English and Tagalog). 2023-02-01. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
- ^ Felipe, MJ (2024-06-05). "Past rejections inspired 'Dilaw' hitmaker Maki to fulfill dream". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2024-08-22.
- ^ Felipe, MJ (June 5, 2024). "Past rejections inspired 'Dilaw' hitmaker Maki to fulfill dream". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Choa, Kane Errol (September 28, 2023). "Star Music artist Maki's 'Saan' spawns countless TikTok videos". Philippine Star. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Lion's Den (April 1, 2023). "Maki Delivers Nostalgic Vibes With New Single 'Saan?'". LionhearTV. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ One Music PH Team (October 12, 2023). "Maki Chronicles Heartbreaking Journey in Debut EP 'Tanong'". ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Mallorca, Hannah (June 26, 2024). "Maki gets real on 'Dilaw,' BINI Maloi, K-pop 'alternate universe' fanfics". Inquirer.net. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Lion's Den (April 1, 2023). "Maki Delivers Nostalgic Vibes With New Single 'Saan?'". LionhearTV. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Domingo, Danielle (July 5, 2023). "Listen to the Follow Up Single, "Bakit" by Maki". MYX Global. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
- ^ "Maki Releases 'Tanong' EP". MYX Global. 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2024-08-22.