MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Filipino-Australian producer Mark Feist, whose illustrious credits include global icons such as Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, John Legend and Regine Velasquez, has returned to Manila – this time with a sharper vision, deeper collaborations, and a powerful strategic alignment set to transform the region’s music landscape.
Feist, known for his genre spanning versatility and global chart successes, is at the helm of Hitmakers Entertainment, a full-service label, publishing and production company. With a recently announced partnership with Symphonic Distribution, a leading tech enabled music services company, Feist is positioning his platform as a catalyst for elevating Southeast Asia’s talent to the global stage.
Central to his Manila comeback is a series of high-profile collaborations, starting with two new tracks featuring the Philippines’ very own R&B King, Jay R. Their first release, “Tunay,” debuted on July 25, 2025, fusing a nostalgic New Jack Swing rhythm with modern R&B stylings – a sonic throwback that remains undeniably fresh and globally competitive. A second single, a duet between Jay R and emerging pop artist Shanice, is slated for release in the coming months.
“Jay R is an artist who truly inspired me,” says the multi-platinum producer. “His talent, his voice, and his work ethic are world-class. Our collaboration on Tunay came from deep creative conversations, and what we created together is something I genuinely believe can sit alongside today’s biggest global releases. At this point in my career, I only work on music that can compete at the highest level, and Jay R absolutely meets that standard.”
“Jay R is an artist who truly inspired me,” said producer. “His talent, his voice, and his work ethic are world-class. Our collaboration on Tunay came from deep creative conversations, and what we created together is something I genuinely believe can sit alongside today’s biggest global releases. At this point in my career, I only work on music that can compete at the highest level, and Jay R absolutely meets that standard.”
Feist’s deep connection to OPM is personal as well as professional. As the nephew of Philippine music icon Pilita Corrales, his roots in Filipino musical tradition are undeniable. Yet his career has been built on an international scale, contributing to over 35 million units sold worldwide, including the chart-topping Destiny’s Child single, “Emotions.”
Hitmakers Entertainment is the manifestation of Feist’s commitment to developing next-generation talent. One of the label’s breakout artists, Australian pop sensation TASH, was discovered at just 15 with no existing fanbase. Today, TASH boasts over 80 million streams and a loyal international following, selling out shows globally.
“Real artist development in the streaming era is our core mission at Hitmakers Entertainment, and TASH is the perfect example of that,” shares Feist. “We signed her at 15 with zero fanbase – now she’s built a formidable catalog, amassed millions of streams, and is selling out shows with fans flying in from around the world. TASH is a once-in-a-generation artist, and she’s just getting started.”
This ethos of sustainability and scalability now gains further momentum through Hitmakers’ strategic partnership with Symphonic Distribution. The alliance is more than a distribution deal – it’s a multi-faceted collaboration designed to empower both emerging and established artists from Australia and Southeast Asia.
As the global music industry continues to evolve, Feist’s return to Manila signals a promising convergence of international expertise and regional talent.
