With chart-topping tracks such as “Dilaw,” “Kahel na Langit,” “Namumula,” “Saan?” and “Kailan?,” singer-songwriter Maki has steadily become one of the biggest names in the OPM scene today. His songs, which are often centered on love, friendship, unspoken feelings, and quiet life realizations, have struck a chord with younger listeners.
Talking about his growing fanbase and the support from his fans, Maki revealed with PUSH ABS-CBN that he is still adjusting to the overwhelming support.
“I try to believe, I had to believe it every day kasi music, hindi lang sya entertainment. It really empowers people,” Maki said in an exclusive interview.
Aware of the influence he now carries, the singer said he takes his role seriously, especially at time when his platform can serve as a tool to influence others.
“If I were to make something sa day and age natin, ngayon na may nangyayari sa Pilipinas, I would use my music and I would use my platform to empower the youth, of course. That's why I always take responsibility whenever I write something because hindi na lang ‘to sa akin. Hindi na lang ako ang nakakarinig o yung mga kaibigan ko or mga pusa ko. Kumbaga, buong Pilipinas na ang nakikinig, even outside the Philippines,” he explained.
Still, he emphasized the importance of staying grounded.
“May nakikinig na rin so may responsibility, but at the same time I like to keep myself authentic din,” he added.
Maki is currently gearing up for the return of his Kolorcoaster The Concert: One More Ride! on February 21 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ahead of the repeat show, he toured several cities abroad, meeting and performing for his fans, collectively known as Zushis.
Despite having performed to different crowds, Maki admitted that touring overseas still came with doubts.
“The thing about touring kasi, I don't really know if people like me or how will they like na parang first time mo makikita ‘yung taong ‘to sa labas ng Pilipinas. That's why I always try to empty my cup before going there. I try to learn new things. I like take advice to people who knows how to do it,” he said, such as reaching out to fellow artist and close friend Gian Bernardino of Cup of Joe.
“Gustong-gusto ko kasing natututo. Para sa’kin ‘yun din ‘yung importante — na ‘pag lilipad kami may matututunan ako every time. But also with full confidence representing OPM, dapat ipapakita ko din ‘yun. Thank you kasi ang laking bagay na ‘yun eh — yung ‘support talaga, ‘yung talagang genuine support ng mga masa ng mga kabataan na sumusuporta sa sariling atin,” he continued.
As for what keeps him going, Maki said it’s the desire to stay credible and honest in his craft. His release of his full-length album, Kolorcoaster, is only the beginning, according to the singer.
“Kilala niyo ako. Hindi ako tumitigil. Hindi rin ako titigil. Sayang eh. Kasi before I release something, I plan everything from beginning to end. It took us 2, 3 years to make Kolorcoaster happen, and sa 3 years na ‘yun parang ano pa lang tayo sa Kolorcoaster, I think we are at 40% pa lang kasi ang dami pang mangyayari,” he shared.
“Sana abangan niyo kasi this kind of thing really inspires me a lot and my team, and it's a movement na talagang pinagpaplanuhan. We don't just release something; we make sure we release something very, very nice. ‘Yun din naman deserve ng mga fans,” he added.
Maki said he never wants to lose sight of the reason he started doing music. “Ayoko lang talaga nawawala ‘yung essence kung bakit namin ginagawa ‘yung mga bagay na ‘to, why they support me and why I do the things I wanna do and I'm doing. ‘Yun lang ‘yung ayaw kung nawawala: ‘yung core. And myself and my team are trying to expand. We're trying to do our best.”