Three new pop princes in the first quarter honor roll

And just like that, the season had become, as Paul Simon said, April, come she will. We have passed the first three months of 2025. You may say, it was an eventful, difficult time with the vagaries of politics and corruption keeping the population on tenterhooks.

But through it all, there was music providing a few minutes of joy and romance, a simple device that encourages daydreaming, a respite from the daily grind.

And just like that, music picked out its chosen ones and anointed the deserving. We now have three new princes of pop. They are the most listened to, the most watched and the most idolized singers and songwriters of the moment. Will they remain so in the coming years like a Martin Nievera? Or will they descend to near anonymity like the once hot Hev Abi? Only time will tell.

For now though, they are the biggest sellers, 20-something singer-songwriters who put so much feeling into their works that listeners cannot help but relate to their songs. Earl Agustin, Amiel Sol and Dionela. Both the local Billboard and Spotify hit charts proclaim their dominance of the Philippine music scene.

Dionela, born Timothy Dionela from Bulacan, came first. After a few medium sellers, he came up late last year with Sining, a bit of soulful froth featuring Jay R, the R&B king of the early 2000s. It was a made in heaven pairing with the song easily reaching 56 million streams. It now has over 220 million and still counting. Dionela’s follow-up, Marilag also hit big, with over 120 million streams.

Amiel Sol, a mathematics major from the University of the Philippines, was this year’s upstart. Fueled by the Viva One series Mutya ng Section E and the love team of Ashtine Olviga and Andres Muhlach, Amiel’s Sa Bawat Sandali zoomed to the top. It is now perched nicely at No. 2 and Amiel has another potential biggie in the works with Ikaw ang Patutunguhan.

Earl Agustin comes from Ozamiz, Misamis Occidental. Two years ago, he relocated to Manila to pursue a music career. He released a single titled Tibok. Yes, the same Tibok that is now a No. 1 seller. It took quite some time but Tibok finally made it. This is also thanks to Mutya ng Section E where it is the theme for the Ashtine, Andres and Rabin Angeles love triangle.

Not only that, the song also entered the international charts. Earl’s new single Dalangin is now also in the Top 10.

So there you have it. Earl Agustin, Amiel Sol and Dionela are today’s singing idols. The top band is Cup of Joe with Multo, Misterioso and the ever-present Tingin with Janine Tenoso.

HELLMERRY is holding the port for Pinoy hip-hop along with Skusta Clee. And not to forget, Arthur Nery, Nobita and Up Dharma Down remain big sellers. They are the music stars of the first quarter of 2025.

See how they place in the latest Spotify chart. Tibok by Earl Agustin; Sa Bawat Sandali by Amiel Sol; Marilag by Dionela; Multo by Cup of Joe; My Day by HELLMERRY; Luther by Kendrick Lamar; Isa Lang by Arthur Nery; Dalangin also by Earl Agustin; sining again by Dionela featuring Jay R; blue by yung kai; You’ll be in My Heart by NIKI; also Misteryoso by Cup of Joe; like JENNIE by JENNIE.

Umaasa by Calein; Tingin again by Cup of Joe with Janine Tenoso; B4 I LET YOU GO by Ryouji with CK YG; Kalimutan Ka by Skusta Clee; Ikaw Lang by Nobita; Okshina again by Dionela; Tadhana by Up Dharma Down; Ikot by Over October; Dilaw by Maki; BIRDS OF A FEATHER by Billie Eilish; Die with a Smile by Lady Gaga with Bruno Mars; and Kung Wala Ka by Hale.