How being a ‘soft boy’ empowered Maki to stay true to himself

Maki. Image: Instagram/@clfrnia_maki

“I turn anxiety into excitement,” said Maki when sharing how he deals with self-sabotage, as he navigates his growing popularity after his songs “Saan?,” “Dilaw,” and “Namumula” made their way on the charts.

Aside from his chart-topping singles, Maki is ending the year with a bang after capping off his “Maki-Concert sa New Frontier Theater” show last November, with stops in Cebu, Baguio, and Cagayan de Oro in 2025.

The singer-songwriter also dropped his new single “Bughaw” which talks about the love one receives from friends, and vice versa.

But before arriving at his “soft boy”-esque sound and identity, he admitted there was a time he conformed to the usual “bad boy” image of male artists.

“Nagkaroon ako ng point sa career ko na nag-conform ako. Nangyari [ito] noong naga-audition ako (There was a point in my career where I conformed. This happened when I went to auditions), I was trying to be someone who I’m not,” Maki told select reporters, moments after the first day of his concert in Quezon City ended.

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With this in mind, Maki hopes that artists won’t hesitate to embrace the “best versions” of themselves, noting that staying firm to his identity is a way of “watering the seed” for his counterparts.

“It’s about time we release ourselves. We release our best versions. Hindi ka kasi magiging best version mo kung hindi ka real,” he said. “I’m trying to water the seed ng kung ano ako, kung nasaan ako, ‘yun ang ipapalago ka. Mahirap magtagal sa industry na ‘to kung hindi ka totoo. Ito na talaga ako.”

(It’s about time we release ourselves. We release our best versions. You’re not going to be the best version of yourself if you’re not real. I’m trying to water the seed that who and where I am is how I’ll prosper. But it’s hard to last in the industry if you’re not true to yourself. This is who I am.)

When asked what he had to learn and unlearn throughout his fame, Maki said he is still learning how to deal with self-sabotage and overthinking.

“‘‘Yun ang gusto kong tanggalin,” he added. “Umabot na kasi sa point na lagi kong sinasabi na ang sarili ko ang aking rival. You can be your worst enemy. But it can also be your best friend. ‘Yun ang lagi kong ginagawa. Kapag kinakabahan ako, I turn anxiety into excitement.”

(That’s what I want to conquer. I reached the point where I always point to myself as my worst rival. You can be your worst enemy. But it can also be your best friend. That’s what I always do. When I’m nervous, I turn anxiety into excitement.)

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On the current state of OPM

Maki is considered one of the new-generation artists shaping the landscape of OPM. While he acknowledges the recognition, he hopes the current generation will appreciate the messages he shares through music.

“Malaking bagay ‘yun… I’m happy that I’m part of [the current generation’s] lives and I’m hoping na kahit matanda sila, maaalala nila ako,” he said. “Ang daming naiinfluence sa’tin ng social media. I just want to be the artist who doesn’t just sing.”

(It’s a huge thing. I’m happy that I’m part of the lives of people in the current generation. I’m hoping even if they’re older, they will remember me. Social media has been a huge influence. I want to be the artist who doesn’t just sing.)

For the singer-songwriter, he considers the “relatability” of his songs as one of the factors that make people tune in to his music.

“I’m just glad na I’m not alone sa lahat ng mga sinusulat ko,” he said. “Gusto kong magbigay ng message and statement when it comes to my music. I want to give my audience and fans the kind of mindset I have, kagaya ng ‘Dilaw,’ you’re not alone.”

(I’m just glad that I’m not alone with the songs I write. I want to give a message and statement when it comes to my music. I want to give my audience and fans the kind of mindset I have, like “Dilaw,” you’re not alone.)

Per reports, Maki was originally planning to leave the music industry when he was about to graduate from college. But the discovery of his demo tape by Tarsier Records (his current label) is what made him change his mind.