Maki

Music Highlights

• Known for his alternative-pop sound, nostalgic melodies, and emotionally relatable songwriting.
• Gained widespread recognition through Saan? and Dilaw, two of his breakthrough songs.
• Reached a major career milestone when Dilaw topped the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 in July 2024.
• Explores themes of love, longing, heartbreak, and relationships through his music.
   

Notable Songs

• Dilaw
• Saan?
• Kailan?
• Bakit?
• Namumula
• HBD
• Tanong
• Sikulo (with Angela Ken and Nhiko Sabiniano)
• Hiwaga
• Kahel na Langit
• habangbuhay pansamantala
• luck (with James Reid)

Music and Performances

• Performs at OPM concerts, music festivals, and live showcases in the Philippines and abroad.
• Held his first solo concert, Maki-Concert, at New Frontier Theater in Quezon City in November 2024, with both shows selling out.
• Released habangbuhay pansamantala in May 2026, featuring a music video with Justin de Dios of SB19.
• Collaborated with James Reid on luck, an alternative indie-pop song released in 2026 that compares love to taking a chance.
• Expanded his international reach through performances in Singapore and Indonesia during his KOLORCOASTER concert tour in 2026.
   

Career Highlights

• Began pursuing music as an aspiring songwriter before gaining recognition as a recording artist.
• Independently developed his music career before signing with Tarsier Records, a label under ABS-CBN Music.
• Released the Tanong EP in 2023, featuring Kailan?, Bakit?, and Saan?.
• Achieved his major breakthrough with Dilaw, which became the first song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 in July 2024.
• Released Namumula in August 2024, which debuted at No. 45 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.
• Continued his musical journey in 2026 with habangbuhay pansamantala, luck with James Reid, and international tour performances.

Life and Public Image

• His full name is Ralph William Datoon, and he is professionally known as Maki.
• Is a Filipino singer-songwriter associated with the contemporary OPM and alternative-pop scene.
• Became widely recognized for writing songs that capture the uncertainty and vulnerability of romantic relationships.
• Has built a recognizable musical identity through nostalgic arrangements, expressive storytelling, and distinctive visual concepts in his music videos.

Fun Facts

• His stage name has a personal origin: “Maki” was a nickname given to him by his parents before he adopted it as his professional name.
• “Dilaw” made chart history: It became the first song to top the Billboard Philippines Hot 100.
• “HBD” explores a relatable experience: The song tells the story of remembering a former lover’s birthday and wondering whether to reach out or move on.
• His music videos feature fellow Filipino artists: Justin de Dios of SB19 appeared in the visualizer for habangbuhay pansamantala, creating a visual connection to the yellow imagery associated with Dilaw.
• He continues to collaborate across the OPM scene: His 2026 release luck brought him together with singer and actor James Reid.