Unique (musician)

Unique Torralba Salonga, known mononymously as Unique, (born April 26, 2000) is a Filipino musician and singer-songwriter. He began his career as a vocalist and original frontman of IV of Spades and later pursued a solo career.

Unique Salonga
Birth name	Unique Torralba Salonga
Born	April 26, 2000 Manila, Philippines
Genres	Pinoy rock psychedelic rock experimental
Occupation(s)	Musician Songwriter Director
Instruments	Vocals Guitar Keyboards/Synths
Years active	2014–present
Labels	O/C Records
Associated acts	IV of Spades

Career

2014–2018: IV of Spades

In June 2014, Allan Silonga decided to form a band for his son Blaster, who would become the band's lead guitarist. The Silongas were able to recruit drummer Badjao de Castro and bassist Zild Benitez, who are the sons of Allan's friends. Unique Salonga, who was already writing his own music, was later recruited to become the band's lead singer.[1][2]

IV of Spades signed to a record label and released their first single "Ilaw sa Daan" under Warner Music Philippines.

The group's second single, "Hey Barbara" was released on July 9, 2017, and followed up by their third single "Where Have You Been My Disco?", released on December 9, 2017, via YouTube.

In 2018, the band released their fourth single called "Mundo". It became the group's highest viewed single on YouTube. The band's videos have over 100 million views on YouTube.

IV of Spades won the New Artist of the Year and the MYX Bandarito Performance of the Year and Nominated as Group of the Year at the annual Myx Music Awards.[3] The band also won the Dreams Come True with Air Asia, the airline's search for the most promising acts in the region. The band performed with David Foster as part of their prize. They also won the Favorite New Group award at the 30th annual Awit Awards.

On May 4, 2018, Unique Salonga left IV of Spades in order to pursue a solo career.[4]

2018–present

In 2018, Salonga released his debut single, Midnight Sky, under the label of O/C Records of VIVA. In the same year, Salonga released his debut album, Grandma,[5] and his first solo concert, slated for September 29, 2018.[6]

He released his sophomore album, PANGALAN: in 2020.[7][8]

Discography

Albums

Title	Year	Reference
Grandma	2018	[9]
PANGALAN:	2020	[10][11]

Singles

Title	Year	Album	Reference
Midnight Sky	2018	Grandma	[12]
Cha-Ching!			[13]
Sino	2019		[14]
Lamang Lupa		PANGALAN:	[15]
Bukod-Tangi			[16]
Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit	2020		[17]

with IV of Spades

Title	Year	Album
Ilaw Sa Daan	2016	Non-album singles
Hey Barbara	2017
Where Have You Been, My Disco
Mundo	2018

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Notable Works	Result	Ref.
2019	32nd Awit Award	Best Cover Art	"Grandma"	Won	[18][19]
	14th Myx Music Awards	Male Artist of the Year	Unique	Nominated
		Rock Video of the Year	"Cha-Ching!"	Nominated
2020	5th Wish Music Awards	Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year	"Bukod-Tangi"	Nominated	[20][21]
	15th Myx Music Awards	Rock Video of the Year	"Sino"	Nominated
2021	6th Wish Music Awards	Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Song of the Year	"Sino"	Won	[22]
		Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year	"Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit"	Nominated

References

1. Gloria, Gaby (October 21, 2017). "IV of Spades is ready to boogie". The Philippine Star. Youngstar. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
2. Fernandez, Denise (December 1, 2017). "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band". Scout Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
3. "The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx | BusinessMirror". businessmirror.com.ph. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
4. "IV of Spades vocalist Unique Salonga leaves band". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
5. "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
6. "Ticketnet Online". www.ticketnet.com.ph. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
7. "LISTEN: Unique Salonga drops strange new album, 'Pangalan'". www.rappler.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
8. "Unique Salonga unveils sophomore album Pangalan – listen". www.bandwagon.asia. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
9. "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
10. "LISTEN: Unique Salonga drops strange new album, 'Pangalan'". www.rappler.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
11. "Unique Salonga unveils sophomore album Pangalan – listen". www.bandwagon.asia. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
12. Bandwagon (July 13, 2018). "Unique debuts somber solo single 'Midnight Sky' – watch". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
13. Bodegon, Kara (September 3, 2018). "Unique shows his darker side with self-directed 'Cha-Ching!' video – watch". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
14. Bodegon, Kara (March 19, 2019). "Behind the Lens: Unique's 'Sino' – watch". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
15. UDoU (July 8, 2019). "LATEST DROP: Lamang Lupa by Unique". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
16. Losa, Rogin (August 16, 2019). "Fame is not what it seems in Unique's 'Bukod-Tangi'". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
17. "Unique Salonga drops new music video for 'Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit' - watch". Unique Salonga drops new music video for 'Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit' - watch | Bandwagon | Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
18. "Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". ABS-CBN News. July 23, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
19. "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019". Rappler. October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
20. "COMPLETE LIST: 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Nominees". Wish 107.5. December 14, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
21. "5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish 107.5. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
22. "The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees". Wish 107.5. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

External links

• Unique on Facebook