Underrated, Unrushed: Kenaniah Is Playing the Long Game

Manila, Philippines — The industry loves to reward immediacy. Viral hits, quick numbers, and instant recall. In a space where artists are often expected to arrive fully formed, Kenaniah is choosing a different route—one that is rooted in long processes, patience, and constant learning while putting in the work.

Starting young in the scene, Kenaniah is no stranger to the rollercoaster ride. That is why he knows how to play his cards well. Learning and reading the crowd and going all-in at the right moment. Still evolving and creating, he’s an artist everyone should keep an eye on that even Spotify’s RADAR is locked-in.

Still Learning

“I’m a singer, songwriter, and producer… music lang, ganun ako,” he shares. But beyond the simplicity of that description is a young artist navigating the industry with the mindset of a student, both literally and creatively.

Currently taking up a music business course, Kenaniah isn’t positioning himself as a finished product, balancing academic insight with real-world immersion. Classrooms can offer structure, but it’s the industry itself—its people, its sound—that serves as his primary learning ground.

For him, understanding the industry isn’t separate from making music, he considers it as part of the same journey. “Focus lang ako ngayon kung saan yung path ko, yung journey ko,” he shares. “Hindi ko masyado iniisip yung comparison or kung ano man.” That sense of focus defines how he moves.

Even the label of being “underrated”—something often framed as a limitation—he reframes with quiet optimism.

“For me, yung underrated means maganda pero hindi masyadong napapansin,” he explains. “Which makes me feel like may mga taong nakakita ng potential ko… and I like that feeling of support.”

Outside the Four Walls

Before entering the wider industry, Kenaniah describes himself as a “bedroom artist,” with his process usually solitary, where his ideas were explored without external pressure.

Today, that environment has expanded. Surrounded by different artists and influences, he finds himself continuously evolving. “Dati, isa lang akong bedroom artist… ngayon, marami akong namimeet na bagong tao, maraming napapakinggan na bagong tunog,” he says. “And I believe nagiging part siya ng journey ko rin sa pagkakilala sa sarili ko.”

Still, with exposure comes the risk of losing direction—something he remains conscious of. The influx of influences, if left unchecked, can easily dilute an artist’s sense of identity. “Sa pag-explore, may tendency ka rin maligaw,” he admits. “So tinatry ko lang din na maging grounded and ‘wag masyadong maligaw.”

The Process

At the center of his artistry is a process that feels both spontaneous and intentional. His ideas don’t come from structured sessions in the studio alone. They arrive in fragments, often in the middle of everyday life, whether he’s doing household chores or simply lost in thought. “Nag-start yung mga ideas ko sa melodies kapag may ginagawa ako sa bahay, naglilinis, naliligo,” he shares. “Hindi ko pinapalampas yung idea. Inuupuan ko agad siya.”

This immediacy is one of his strengths as a self-producing artist. As both a songwriter and a producer, Kenaniah benefits from a streamlined creative process. Without needing to pass ideas through multiple hands or intermediaries, he’s able to translate instinct into output quickly. But that same independence also brings its own weight. “Both siya—freedom and pressure,” he says when asked about producing his own work. “Wala akong masyadong tao na aabalahin… pero ako rin yung perfectionist.”

It’s a tension he’s still learning to manage. With no clear endpoint in sight, the process can stretch indefinitely—each listen to his work in progress revealing something new to fix or refine. “Every time na pakikinggan ko siya, may gusto akong i-adjust,” he admits. “Pero doon pumapasok yung deadline.”

Collaborations and Connections

Recently, Kenaniah has begun opening his process to collaboration, which is something that doesn’t come naturally after working alone for so long. “Tinatry kong makipag-collab ngayon with other artists,” he says. “Isa yun sa mga lesson na tinuturo sa’kin recently—yung makipag-work with others.” It’s part of a broader shift: from creating in isolation to engaging with a larger creative community. And while the adjustment is ongoing, it reflects his willingness to grow beyond his comfort zone. Engaging with other artists not only broadens his creative perspective, but also introduces new workflows.

When it comes to trends and the evolving soundscape, Kenaniah approaches it with balance.

“I believe kailangan mo maging flexible as an artist,” he says. “Pero kailangan mo rin maging firm sa kung ano yung gusto mong gawin.” That clarity—knowing when to adapt and when to hold ground—is something he continues to refine as he moves forward.

Looking ahead, Kenaniah is preparing to release new material, including an upcoming single that will lead into a larger project. “May paparating akong single sa June… papunta siya sa album this year,” he shares. “Mas may message siya ngayon… parang diary ng buhay ko the past two years.” It’s a direction that feels aligned with how he’s always approached his music: personal, reflective, and rooted in new lived experiences.

In a fast-paced environment often driven by metrics and momentum, Kenaniah’s perspective remains steady. He doesn’t dwell on being overlooked, nor does he rush toward validation for the art that he produces. “Focus lang sa paggawa,” he says simply. And perhaps that’s what sets him apart—not just the music he creates, but the way he chooses to grow within it. A student of the scene.