Tarsier Records

Lore & Background

Tarsier Records was launched in 2017 by music producer Chris Lopez (also known as Moophs) as a subsidiary of Star Music. It debuted with a compilation album, 'Tarsier Records Presents: The First Wave,' which featured multiple genres and included established performers Sam Concepcion, Kiana Valenciano, Marion Aunor, and new artist Markus. By 2020, the label began collaborating with foreign artists such as Brian McKnight Jr., Zee Avi, and Eric Bellinger. By 2021, the label had grown to 33 artists signed across genres including EDM, R&B, and rap, and celebrated with a virtual concert at the end of the year. In 2023, Maki—who was signed in 2021—saw significant success on Spotify with his debut EP Tanong, and the following year he became the first artist to have the number-one track on Billboard Philippines' relaunched Philippines Hot 100 chart.

Reader's Guide

Tarsier Records represents a strategic effort by a major Philippine media conglomerate to expand the reach of Filipino music globally. Its founding by producer Chris Lopez under Star Music and ABS-CBN Corporation positioned it to blend local talent with international collaborations. The label's early focus on EDM and subsequent diversification into R&B and rap reflected broader trends in Philippine popular music. Its most notable achievement came in 2024 when Maki became the first artist to top the relaunched Billboard Philippines Hot 100, signaling the label's growing influence in the domestic and international music markets. The label's roster includes both established names like KZ Tandingan and emerging acts like Angela Ken, illustrating its role as a bridge between generations of Filipino artists. By collaborating with foreign artists such as Brian McKnight Jr. and Eric Bellinger, Tarsier Records has also facilitated cross-cultural musical exchanges, contributing to the globalization of Philippine pop music.

Did You Know?

• Tarsier Records was established on September 5, 2017 by Chris “Moophs” Lopez.
• The label launched with a compilation album, 'Tarsier Records Presents: The First Wave,' featuring a mix of genres.
• By 2021, Tarsier Records had 33 artists signed across genres including EDM, R&B, and rap.
• Maki became the first artist to have the number-one track on Billboard Philippines' relaunched Philippines Hot 100 chart.

Founding & Mission

Tarsier Records traces its origins to September 5, 2017, when music producer Chris Lopez—better known in the industry as Moophs—stepped into the role of launching a new imprint under the Star Music umbrella. Star Music itself sits within the broader ABS-CBN Corporation, one of the Philippines' dominant media and entertainment conglomerates, giving the young label both institutional backing and a clear pathway into the country's music infrastructure. Based in Quezon City, Tarsier was conceived with an ambitious mandate: to craft, produce, distribute, and promote Philippine music to audiences well beyond the country's borders. The label's debut release was an eight-track EDM album, signaling a forward-looking, genre-fluid identity from day one. Its inaugural roster blended seasoned performers like Sam Concepcion, Kiana Valenciano, and Marion Aunor with fresh talent such as Markus, establishing a philosophy of pairing proven voices with emerging ones under a single creative roof.

Growth & International Expansion

By 2020, Tarsier Records had begun pushing beyond purely domestic collaborations, opening doors to foreign artists who brought fresh perspectives to the label's sound. Notable among these early international partnerships were Brian McKnight Jr.—the son of the well-known R&B singer Brian McKnight—alongside Zee Avi and Eric Bellinger. This outward-looking strategy paid off in measurable ways: by 2021, the roster had swelled to thirty-three signed artists spanning EDM, R&B, and rap, reflecting a deliberate commitment to genre diversity rather than a single sonic identity. To mark that milestone of growth, the label organized a virtual concert called TY 2021 at the close of the year, giving fans a shared space to celebrate the expanded family of artists. The move demonstrated that Tarsier was no longer a small imprint experimenting with a debut album but a full-fledged operation capable of hosting multi-artist events and sustaining a broad, cross-genre catalog.

Roster & Artistic Range

The roster at Tarsier Records reads like a cross-section of contemporary Philippine and international music. Established names such as KZ Tandingan, Sam Concepcion, Marion Aunor, and Kiana Valenciano anchor the catalog with their proven track records, while newer voices like Iñigo Pascual, Angela Ken, Maki, and Markus bring energy and fresh perspectives. The label also counts Bugoy Drilon, Anji Salvacion, and AC Bonifacio among its signed artists, alongside the internationally connected Brian McKnight Jr. This breadth is no accident; by 2021 the label had deliberately cultivated artists across EDM, R&B, and rap, ensuring that no single genre defined its identity. The result is a catalog that can shift from electronic production to soulful R&B to rap in consecutive tracks, a flexibility that mirrors the label's founding ambition to represent Philippine music in its fullest, most varied form on the global stage.

Breakthrough & Chart Milestones

Perhaps no single artist better illustrates Tarsier Records' trajectory than Maki, who was signed to the label in 2021. His debut EP, Tanong, arrived with quiet momentum but then broke through in a significant way on Spotify during 2023, drawing widespread streaming attention and establishing him as one of the label's breakout stars. The following year brought a landmark achievement: Maki became the first artist to claim the number-one position on Billboard Philippines' relaunched Philippines Hot 100 chart. That milestone was more than a personal victory; it validated the label's strategy of nurturing artists over time rather than chasing quick hits. From an eight-track EDM debut in 2017 to a Billboard chart-topping single by 2024, Tarsier's story is one of patient investment in Filipino and international talent, paying dividends in the form of streaming numbers, chart positions, and a growing global footprint for Philippine music.