9th Wish Music Awards: Official Nominees

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The highly anticipated 9th Wish Music Awards (WMAs) is returning live at the Big Dome in 2024 for a night filled with music and charity.

Scheduled for January 14, 2024, the WMAs will once again spotlight the best Wishclusive performances, songs, and artists of 2023.

Over 60 musical acts are vying for 19 major categories for a chance to take home a WMAs trophy, a cash prize of Php25,000, and Php100,000 for their chosen charitable organization.

9th Wish Music Awards nominees

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This year’s roster of nominees is a mix of established and fast-rising artists. A recognition of the OPM scene’s diversity and creativity, this 9th WMA nominee lineup has several acts nominated in categories that are beyond their catalog’s usual genre.  

The eligibility period is from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023.

Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year

• ena mori – “RUNAWAY HOLIDAY!”
• Maris Racal – “Ate Sandali”
• Maymay Entrata – “AUTODEADMA”
• SB19 – “GENTO”

Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year

• Kaye Cal – “Heto Pa Rin Ako”
• Klarisse De Guzman – “ala Na Talaga”
• Gigi De Lana and The Gigi Vibes – “Bibitiwan”
• The Ang Huling El Bimbo Cast – “Ligaya/Ang Huling El Bimbo”

Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year

• Denise Julia. – “Pity Ya”
• Inigo Pascual – “Okay Lang Ako 3”
• Jay R – “Blessed”
• SB19 – “I WANT YOU”

Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year

• Clara Benin – “small town”
• Dilaw – “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat)”
• Lola Amour – “Raining in Manila”
• SunKissed Lola – “Pasilyo”

Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year

• FELIP – “ROCKSTA”
• Gloc-9 (feat. Flow G) – “Bahay Yugyugan”
• kiyo – “Ikaw Lang”
• Yuridope (feat. Skusta Clee) – “Huli Na”

Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year

• Belle Mariano – “Somber and Solemn”
• Munimuni – “Matimtiman”
• SUGARCANE – “Leonora”
• TONEEJAY – “Bawat Piyesa (Secret Verse Ver.)”

Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year

• Freestyle – “Before I Let You Go”
• John Roa – “Sige Padayon”
• Muri – “Letters”
• Zack Tabudlo – “Pano”

Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year

• Frizzle Anne, John Roa – “Akin Ka Lang”
• Ocho the Bullet, Josh Cullen, and Angela Hermoso – “Sofa”
• Sponge Cola, Morissette – “So Close”
• syd hartha, kiyo – “3:15”

Wish Pop Song of the Year

• “Dati-Dati” – Sarah Geronimo
• “Palagi” – TJ Monterde
• “Saan?” – Maki
• “SIX7EEN” – HORI7ON

Wish Ballad Song of the Year

• “Bugambilya” – Belle Mariano
• “Hilom” – Moira Dela Torre
• “ILAW” – SB19
• “Kisame” – rhodessa

Wish R&B Song of the Year

• “Buti Na Lang” – Kris Lawrence
• “’Di Na Babalik” – Leanne & Naara
• “Nasa’king Damdamin” – Arthur Nery
• “Patawad, Paalam, Salamat” – Quest

Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year

• “Earth” – The Dawn
• “Panic In My Mind” – The Itchyworms
• “Parola” – Moonstar88
• “Saksi Ang Langit” – December Avenue

Wish Hip-hop Song of the Year

• “Kwentong Barbero” – Gloc-9 feat. Ramdiss and Lirah
• “Moment to Breathe” – Peaceful Gemini
• “Rapstar” – Flow G
• “Wild Tonight” – Josh Cullen

Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year

• “Back Home” – The Juans
• “gabay” – syd hartha
• “imposter syndrome” – Clara Benin
• “Musika” – Dionela

Wish Contemporary R&B Song of the Year

• “Could Be Something” – Ben&Ben
• “Dito Ka Lang” – KZ Tandingan
• “Paki Sabi” – SunKissed Lola
• “G.K.Y.A.M.” – Adie

Wish Song Collaboration of the Year

• “Gusto” – Zack Tabudlo and Al James
• “Intertwine” – Over October and The Ridleys
• “someone new” – Paolo Sandejas and Martti Franca
• “Tingin” – Cup of Joe and Janine Teñoso

Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year

• Belle Mariano
• Dilaw
• Josh Cullen
• SunKissed Lola

Wish Group of the Year

• Lola Amour
• Munimuni
• SB19
• The Juans

Wish Artist of the Year

• Clara Benin
• Flow G
• syd hartha
• TJ Monterde

Wishers can support their favorite artists by voting through the Wish Awards voting site or via the Wish 107.5 app (available on the App Store, Google Play, and Huawei App Gallery). The voting period begins on November 24, 2023, and concludes on January 5, 2024. The final scores will comprise 30% of the Wishers’ votes, while the remaining 70% will come from the scores given by the WMAs’ panel of judges.

More awards to be given

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Apart from the major categories, a special accolade called the Wisher’s Choice Award will also be presented to the nominee with the highest number of votes.

In addition, Wish 107.5 will also hand out prestigious KDR Icon awards, including the KDR Icon of Musical Excellence and the KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy. These recognitions honor icons who have left a remarkable mark in the industry and individuals who use their musical talents for noble causes.

“Maraming maraming salamat po sa karangalang ito. [N]agpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon for giving me this wonderful talent,” 8th WMAs KDR Icon of Musical Excellence Regine Velasquez said in her speech. For the younger generation of Filipino artists, the Asia’s Songbird advised: “Keep creating music. Kayo ang future ng OPM.”

During his 8th WMAs speech, Kuya Daniel Razon, the visionary behind Wish 107.5, shared how the station will continue supporting the industry,

“We at Wish look forward to more years of working silently, steadfastly, and passionately to bring OPM artists, both up-and-coming and well-known, to the global arena,” he enthused.

Star-studded night

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The 9th WMAs will feature performances and collaborations from renowned artists, headlined by OPM rock icon Rico Blanco. The lineup of performers also includes modern hitmaker Lola Amour, singer-songwriter Clara Benin, rapper Flow G, and more.

The 9th edition of the WMAs will be hosted by Christian Bautista, Karylle, Inka Magnaye, and Justine Luzares.

Ahead of the stellar awards night, Wish will also be giving Wishclusive Elite Circle awards to acts whose Wish Bus performances have garnered at least 10 million views during the said eligibility period.

READ MORE: 8th Wish Music Awards Winners, Highlights, and More

Witness the 9th Wish Music Awards live on January 14, 2023, 7 p.m. PHT, at the Araneta Coliseum. Stay tuned to Wish 107.5’s official social media pages for more updates. This event is presented by Spotify, “Let music find you on Spotify. Just press play and listen for free now!” and Rexona, “Unstoppable protection for the unstoppable you,” and co-presented by Puregold, “Always Panalo,” together with minor sponsors Skechers, “The Comfort Technology Company,” Astron, “Ang Murang Appliances na Maaasahan Mo!,” and CSquare Telecom, “Your Latest Gadget on Hand,” and partner Glambot Philippines.

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