Unique (musician)

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

This article is about the Filipino musician. For the English musician, see Darren Styles.

In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Torralba and the surname or paternal family name is Salonga.
Unique Salonga
Birth nameUnique Torralba Salonga
Born (2000-04-26) April 26, 2000
Manila, Philippines
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • Songwriter
  • Director
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
  • Guitar
  • Keyboards/Synths
Years active2014–present
Labels

Career

2014–2018: IV of Spades
Main article: 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 was held on September 29, 2018.[6]

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

On September 29, 2023, Salonga released his third album, Daisy.[9]

Discography

Albums
List of Studio Albums with Selected Details
Title Album Details Ref
Grandma [10]
PANGALAN: [11][12]
Daisy [13]

Singles

as Solo Artist

Title Year Album Reference
Midnight Sky 2018 Grandma [14]
Cha-Ching! [15]
Sino 2019 [16]
Lamang Lupa PANGALAN: [17]
Bukod-Tangi [18]
Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit 2020 [19]
Mga Katulad Mo 2021
Reality Checklist Non-album single
Oblivion 2022
Panahon 2023 Daisy

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 [20][21]
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 [22][23]
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 [24]
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. https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/unique-salonga-releases-new-album-daisy-oc-records-listen-september-2023
  10. "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  11. "LISTEN: Unique Salonga drops strange new album, 'Pangalan'". www.rappler.com. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  12. "Unique Salonga unveils sophomore album Pangalan – listen". www.bandwagon.asia. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  13. https://www.bandwagon.asia/articles/unique-salonga-releases-new-album-daisy-3oc-records-listen-september-2023
  14. Bandwagon (July 13, 2018). "Unique debuts somber solo single 'Midnight Sky' – watch". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  15. Bodegon, Kara (September 3, 2018). "Unique shows his darker side with self-directed 'Cha-Ching!' video – watch". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  16. Bodegon, Kara (March 19, 2019). "Behind the Lens: Unique's 'Sino' – watch". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  17. UDoU (July 8, 2019). "LATEST DROP: Lamang Lupa by Unique". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  18. Losa, Rogin (August 16, 2019). "Fame is not what it seems in Unique's 'Bukod-Tangi'". Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  19. "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.
  20. "Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". ABS-CBN News. July 23, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
  21. "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019". Rappler. October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
  22. "COMPLETE LIST: 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Nominees". Wish 107.5. December 14, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  23. "5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish 107.5. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  24. "The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees". Wish 107.5. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
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