Rapper and OPM artist Nik Makino has redirected his attention to creating songs that delve into the themes of life, love, and personal experiences. As he embarks on a different musical journey, stepping away from the “Neneng B” era, Makino invites his audience to join him on this exciting new chapter.
Makino and pal Mayo Marte recently hosted a “listening party” at Sine Pop in Quezon City, unveiling several unreleased songs for fans and industry friends.
The duo, who dropped tracks like “Shot Puno,” “Solid,” “Ngayong Gabi,” “Hindi Ko na Kaya,” “Alak,” and “Alaala” under Believe Music Philippines, believe in the connective power of music. They emphasize that artists can achieve much when using their talents for a more significant purpose.
“I met Mayo in 2018 through Instagram. I messaged him asking if we could collaborate on a song because I listened to his song on YouTube. He immediately said yes. That’s where our friendship began,” shared Makino.
Marte added, “We both love music. It feels great that we understand each other as artists.”
They started collaborating in 2019 with the release of “TSD,” the pair plans to collaborate again.
Makino, with 880k followers and a million streams on platforms like Spotify, describes his unreleased songs as a reflection of his life journey and ongoing self-reinvention.
“The concept of these unreleased songs is the story of my life — everything I’ve been through in life and love. And I’m still in the process of reinventing myself and how to grow. It’s also a form of self-reflection,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment.
Marte, known for the hit song “Bahala Na” with 2.4 million views on YouTube, focuses on relationships as the major theme of his upcoming EP, drawing inspiration from personal experiences.
“The major theme of the EP is relationships — from the beginning to the end — how one gets hurt and how to move on. It is based on the experiences of people I know,” he said.
Thanking their career mentors John David Laylo, Phatrick Cruz, and Waheed Al Jarallah, Makino and Marte hope to inspire more young artists and remind them to make songs that matter.
Makino shared: “[I am] a father to a beautiful child. A good husband. Provider for the family. This is what I wished for during times when I had nothing, so I need to protect it. There are so many young people who also want to achieve what I have, so I am super thankful. Even if I lose my voice, I will still sing.”
Marte said in turn: “The one who taught me was my Dad. Even when I was young, I was already musically inclined. I started making music in college. I didn’t finish college because I pursued music. Now that I’m here, I want to represent Ilonggos and make them proud.”