Unique (musician)
Unique Salonga | |
|---|---|
 Salonga in 2024 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Unique Torralba Salonga |
| Born | April 26, 2000 Manila, Philippines |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments |
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| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels | |
| Member of | IV of Spades |
Unique Torralba Salonga (born April 26, 2000) is a Filipino singer-songwriter and musician. He began his career as the vocalist and original frontman of IV of Spades, departing from the band in 2018 to pursue a solo career. He returned to the group in 2025.
Career
[edit]Band frontman
[edit]2014–2018: IV of Spades
[edit]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.[3]
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.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
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.[4] The band also won Dreams Come True with AirAsia, 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.[5]
On May 4, 2018, Unique Salonga left IV of Spades in order to pursue a solo career.[6]
Solo career
[edit]2018–present
[edit]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,[7] and his first solo concert was held on September 29, 2018.[8]
He released his second album, PANGALAN: in 2020.[9][10]
On September 29, 2023, Salonga released his third album, Daisy.[11]
Reunion with IV of Spades
[edit]2025-present
[edit]In July 16, 2025, Salonga made his official return to the band by releasing their new single, "Aura" , which also marks the official return of IV of Spades.[12]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Title | Album Details | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Grandma |
|
[13] |
| Pangalan: |
|
[9][10] |
| Daisy |
|
[14] |
Singles
[edit]As lead artist
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHL [15] | ||||
| "Midnight Sky" | 2018 | — | Grandma | |
| "Cha-Ching!" | — | |||
| "Sino" | 2019 | 34 | ||
| "Lamang Lupa" | — | Pangalan: | ||
| "Bukod Tangi" | — | |||
| "Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit" | — | |||
| "Mga Katulad Mo" | 2021 | — | ||
| "Reality Checklist" | — | Non-single album | ||
| "Oblivion" | 2022 | — | ||
| "Panahon" | 2023 | — | Daisy | |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region. | ||||
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Notable Works | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 32nd Awit Award | Best Cover Art | "Grandma" | Won | [16][17] |
| 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 | [18][19] |
| 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 | [20] |
| Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year | "Huwag Ka Sanang Magagalit" | Nominated |
References
[edit]- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Here's why IV OF SPADES is about to become your new favorite band - Scout Magazine". December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
- ^ "The boys of IV of Spades get into the Myx | BusinessMirror". businessmirror.com.ph. March 22, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2018.
- ^ "QUEST, Autotelic, IV of Spades win at the 30th Awit Awards". Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "IV of Spades vocalist Unique Salonga leaves band". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
- ^ "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ "Ticketnet Online". www.ticketnet.com.ph. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
- ^ a b "LISTEN: Unique Salonga drops strange new album, 'Pangalan'". www.rappler.com. March 27, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ a b "Unique Salonga unveils sophomore album Pangalan – listen". www.bandwagon.asia. March 26, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ "Unique Salonga evokes "simplicity, peace, and love" in surprise album, 'Daisy' – listen". September 29, 2023.
- ^ Go, Mayks (July 16, 2025). "IV Of Spades Make Long-Awaited Return With New Single "Aura"". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "Unique surprises fans with solo debut album Grandma". www.bandwagon.asia. August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ "Unknown".[permanent dead link]
- ^
Peak chart positions on the Philippines Hot 100 charts:
- "Sino": "Philippines Hot 100 (Week of April 26, 2025)". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
- "Sino": "Philippines Hot 100 (Week of April 26, 2025)". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
- ^ "Awit Awards 2019: Full list of nominees". ABS-CBN News. July 23, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "FULL LIST: Winners, Awit Awards 2019". Rappler. October 11, 2019. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ^ "COMPLETE LIST: 5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards Nominees". Wish 107.5. December 14, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "5th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners". Wish 107.5. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "The 2021 Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Official List of Nominees". Wish 107.5. October 23, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2020.