Erik Santos - Prince of Pop

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, In May 6, 2005 he launch a CD lite album which contain his version of Nexus I’ll Never Go, the video for the said single, allowed him to try out his acting talents. I will Never Leave You came next fallowed by yet another achievement to date, the Loving you Now album which launched at the Music Museum in September 28 2005. A few weeks after its release the album went gold and the follow up video for I Will Never Leave You is collaboration with Asia songbird Regine Velasques the song is called Bakit Ba Iniibig Ka a song penned by Ogie Alcasid.

Since Erik Santos burst into the music scene in 2003 blessing just kept pouring on his way and the greatest thing to do is to give back to the people what he was given. On December 3 2005 at the Riverbanks Amphitheater in Marikina City held the Paskong Pasasalamat ni Erik Santos, a free concert to all the people which love and support made his dreams come true.

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

Then came “Your Love” album, this proves that Erik can give justice to songs he remakes. He owned every song he sings and again turned it into a hit. Your Love, Say You’ll Never Go, Parting Time, Next In Line and Here I Am were among those. Who can forget Maging Sino Ka Man, from the teleserye with the same title.

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.

His regular stint with fellow Champions in ASAP is one of the most anticipated segments on the said show, Music Room and the Grand-Face Off. ASAP Live produced another hit concert in Araneta, Ol 4 Luv top billed Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista, Sarah Geronimo and Erik Santos.

And so this is the Prince of Pop 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: BACKROOM, INC. Unit 206 CRM Building 2, 116 Kamias Road cor. Kasing-Kasing St., Quezon City, call 928-3121, 435-1108 or 435-1120 or e-mail backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net.