Erik Santos – Prince of Pop

The Prince of Pop/The Ultimate Serenader

It was October 10, little did the world know, a talented boy is born in Bagong Bayan in Malabon. Years past this young boy with a song in his heart have taken the music scene by storm!

The journey of being a famous singer begins when ASAP Mania (then) held a singing contest as part of their show. Every week each contestant has to prove that they are worth to be in the battle for the ultimate Star in a Million or at least to stay in the game. It was September 7, 2003 when he joined the contest after several weeks of competing, a then anonymously Erik Santos had his dream crash down when he was eliminated. But what is meant to be will always find a way, Erik was called to prove his worth again this time as the wild card entry!

Because of the popularity of Star In A Million this was given its own time slot and was separated from ASAP as an all-new show. Still every week Erik and the rest of the contestant have to sing at their best for them not to be eliminated. To his delight he made it through to the final 3.

At the final night of Star In A Million Erik wasn’t confident that he was going to make it since his strong contender is consistent number 1 throughout the competition but he was hopeful he had one final chance to make an impression. It’s good that night all scores are back to zero!

Erik chose “This Is The Moment” as his final contest piece. When it came to the moment that the winner was about to announce the tension took hold. And who would have thought that a wild card entry would emerge as the first-ever grand champion of the Star In A Million?

Since Erik won in Jan of 2004 the growth of his popularity has been unstoppable. He recorded hit songs. His carrier single Pagbigyang Muli off his first double platinum album “This is The Moment” is a huge success! Hit song followed another hit song, successful mall tours, sold out shows here and abroad! He’s also one of the country’s favorite special guest of the stars in their concert, he shared stage with the likes of Jasmine Trias, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasques, Pops Fernandez, Gary V, Sharon Cuneta, Martin Nievera to name a few and had a hugely successful back to back concert with Ai Ai De Las Alas dub as The Prince of Pop And the Comedy Concert Queen in Araneta Coliseum back in November 27, 2004. He lived up to being named as “PRINCE OF POP“.

Indeed there’s no stopping Erik Santos,  Since Erik Santos burst into the music scene in 2003 blessing just kept pouring on his way.

He had received numerous awards and recognitions from various awards giving body like IFM Awards, Myx Music Awards and Aliw Awards.

Awards and Recognitions:

2004

- Aliw Awards – Best New Male Artist

- Awit Awards – Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist

- Star Awards for TV – Best New Male TV Personality

- People’s Choice Award – Most Promising Balladeer

- Outlook Magazine’s Top 10 Most Influential Youth of 2004

- Dangal Ng Malabon – Gintong Parangal for the Performing Arts

- Chalk Magazine – Top 50 Philippine Heartthrobs

2005

- Aliw Awards – Best Major Concert (Collaboration) “Night of the Champions”

- Star Awards For Television – Best Talent Search Program “Search For A Star In A Million”

- ASAP Platinum Circle – Platinum Male Artist for the album “This is the Moment” (Double Platinum)

2006

- IFM Pinoy Music Awards – Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist

- ASAP Top 10 OPM Ballad – I’ll Never Go

- Homeboy #1 Awards – Favorite Singer

- MYX Music Awards – Favorite Male Artist

- ASAP Platinum Circle – Platinum Male Artist for the album “Loving You Now”

- ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards – Pop Male Artist

- ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards – Pop Male Performance (Bakit ba Iniibig Ka?)

- Yes! Readers’ Choice Awards – Celebrity Home of the Year

- Pinoy Music Chart – Artist of the Year

2007

- MYX Music Awards – Favorite Male Artist

- MYX Music Awards – Favorite Remake (Your Love)

- MYX Music Awards – Favorite Collaboration with Regine Velasquez (Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka)

- Aliw Awards – Best Male Performance in a Concert

- iFM Pinoy Music Awards – Most Popular Song by a Male Performer (Your Love)

2008

- MYX Music Awards – Favorite Male Artist

- Catholic Mass Media Awards – Best Music Video for the song Balik Sa Bayan

- ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards – Pop Male Artist

- ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards – Pop Male Performance in a Music Video for the song “Here I Am”

2009

- MYX Music Awards – Favorite Male Artist

- WAKI OPM Music Awards – Listener’s Choice (Male)

- 1st Malabon Music Festival – Malabon Musicians Alliance Awardee

- Awit Awards – Best Inspirational/Religious Song “Never Give Up” duet with Christian Bautista

- ASAP 24K Gold Awards – Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Songbook

2010 -ASAP Platinum Circle for Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Songbook

- Star Awards For Music – Male Pop Artist of the Year

- Star Awards For Music – Pop Male Recording Artist of the Year

- Star Awards For Music – Pop Album of the Year (Erik Santos: The Jim Brickman Songbook)

- ASAP Pop Viewers Choice Awards – Pop Song (My Love Is Here)

Best-selling albums:

2004 Star In A Million         (Double Platinum)

2004 Star In A Million (Repackaged)

2004 This Is The Moment – first major solo album  (Triple Platinum)

2005 I’ll Never Go (CD-lite) (Platinum)

2005 Loving You Now         (Platinum)

2006 Your Love         (Platinum)

2007 Your Love (Limited Platinum Edition) (Platinum)

2007 All I Want This Christmas

2008 Face-Off (compilation of hits, with Christian Bautista)

2009 The Jim Brickman Songbook         (Platinum)

2010 All I Want This Christmas (Repackaged)

2011 Awit Para Sa’Yo

Chart-topping Songs:

Pagbigyang Muli

Kung Akin Ang Mundo

This Is The Moment

Di Ko Kaya

I’ll Never Go

Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka?

Who’s Loving You Now

Goodbye’s Not Forever

Kung Maaalala Mo

Your Love

Say You’ll Never Go

Here I Am

Never Give Up

My Love Is Here

If I Just Believed

Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka

The biggest moment came when Erik had his first major solo concert in Araneta Coliseum, every singer dream venue, in October 19, 2007, dubbed as Erik Santos…Solo at the coliseum. He really meant solo. Despite of the unfortunate happened earlier that day, with the bombing and everything, still, this was a hit, people of all walks of life flocked to the coliseum to witness this very special moment on Erik’s career. Erik never failed us, in return, he received a heartwarming “standing ovation” from the crowd after belting out songs that means a lot to him, it was the songs he sang during the contest proper of Star in a Million, this same medley earned him numerous “standing ovations” abroad.

Other sold-out concerts:

2009 Pop Icons (Araneta Coliseum) – with Christian B, Piolo P., Sam M. and Mark B.

2009 Perfect Combination (CanadaTour)-with Toni Gonzaga

2010 Heartsongs Valentines Concert (Teatrino)

2010 Power of One (Meralco Theater)

2010 Extra Ordinary Songs-with Sitti

2011 Power Ikons (MusicMuseum)

Erik also debut on his first acting stint September, 2010 as the lead actor in MMK episode “Bus”. He also had some various cameos such as in Kimidora and Catch Me I’m Inlove.

He also became the host of Star Power: The Search for Next Female Pop Superstar.

An ASAP Rocks mainstay.

Erik debut on theater as Prince Eric for “The Little Mermaid” Manila staging.

And the story goes on…

Here’s what they say about Erik:

“Erik was a delight and a pleasure to work with. He was a guest at one of my concerts and I remember him being very nervous about performing with me. He need not have worried, he did wonderfully. I also like that he’s a humble performer, accepting critiques and advice without arrogance. I wish there were more performers with that attitude.”–Lea Salonga

“Working with Erik is not only fun and stress-free but believe it or not I learn a lot from him. He shows me dedication and reminds me of the drive I once had when I was his age in the business. I think we 80’s singers can still learn a lot from these champions. I think Erik’s best trait is his humility. Erik never forgets where he came from and this reality will be his secret weapon for surviving in a world of overnight successes and trying hard sound-a-likes. Erik sings like a concert king, but never acts like one. That’s Erik Santos! When I grow up I wanna be just like him.”–Martin Nievera

“I performed with Erik in Queens on Fire. It started out as two major shows in Araneta Coliseum then we toured in the United States. Erik has a tremendously fantastic voice. It gets even better in time. He has gained more confidence now. He has remained so down-to-earth. He likes to ask questions about life and the industry. The fact that he constantly asks questions means he’s eager to learn more. The last show we did was in Alaska. Apparently, it’s his first time to see snow and we were watching a little boy dive into snow. I think it’s his simple persona with the gifted voice that makes him the ERIK SANTOS that his followers love. They see his heart thru his songs and performances.“–Pops Fernandez

“I first performed with Erik in Songbird & Songwriter. He was our guest together with Sarah Geronimo. He already had a strong voice then and a commanding presence. He had charisma. As a performer, he is very original and classy, traits that will make him last long in the business. As a person, I admire his humility.”–Ogie Alcasid

“Erik Santos is superb, impressive!” – Jim Brickman

To contact Erik’s management company:

Cornerstone Talent Management Company