Kiana V

Filipina singer/songwriter Kiana V is a powerhouse, possessing a quiet intensity that strikes bone deep and a knack for undeniable melody. Her music is a delectable confection of R&B and pop that never overdoes its pace, instead luxuriating in wispy synth soundscapes and Kiana’s feather light vocals. Kiana has already made a name for herself in her native Philippines and is now poised to bring her R&B/Soul sound to the rest of the world.

Prior to music, Kiana briefly sought a career in fashion, graduating from Raffles Design Institute and then capping her studies in London at Central Saint Martins. Her keen eye for style - which she describes as high fashion meets athleisure - paired with her distinctive look led her to be chosen as Australian makeup brand BYS’ first Filipina brand ambassador in 2016. She garnered additional partnerships with Converse and beloved Filipino restaurant chain Jollibee.

Kiana, however, never strayed far from her first love, music. “Music hits the heart in ways other artforms don’t,” Kiana shares. “People who have never met can feel the same way and connect over lyrics or a melody or a few notes played on an instrument.” She counts Janet Jackson, Brandy, Jojo, Solange, and fellow API artist Jhene Aiko as some of her influences. “Their music has a way of touching the heart while still making you wanna move your feet” Kiana reflects.

In 2016 she released her debut single “Circles,” which was quickly followed up with "Does She Know.” To date the song has garnered over 36 million Spotify streams. In 2018, Kiana released her debut EP, “Grey,” which was nominated for the 2019 Awit Awards (the biggest awards for music in the Philippines) for Best Performance by a Female Artist. Kiana continued her relentless pace and put out her first full-length album “See Me” later that same year. Kiana’s exhaustive output and penchant for writing heartrending music was acknowledged in 2019 when she received the McMillan Woods Global Award (Malaysia) for Most Promising Female Recording Artist of the Year. in 2020, Kiana was then recognized in the Philippines by the Awit Awards where she won Favorite Female Artist.

Soon after, the world outside Southeast Asia began to open up to Kiana, with 88rising taking notice and including her on their very first compilation under their PARADISE RISING banner. Her track "Safe Place” was featured among songs by fellow Filipino artists like Fern., Massiah, Leila Alcasid, and Jason Dhakal. Additionally, the song earned a placement in the second season of CW’s “Kung Fu.” The rising prominence of K-Pop additionally helped pave the way for a broader Asian diaspora, reinforcing the idea that music transcends geographic boundaries. “There’s so much talent, so much passion, and it’s so well blended with our culture,” Kiana shares of the Filipino music community. “I just want it to be heard. I want it to be perceived as world-class, because it is.”

In 2021, Kiana released her “DAZED” EP, a five-track collection of songs that examines how self-love affects the love we are able to give to others. The record earned praise from SPIN, NME, HYPEBAE, Office Magazine, Paper Magazine, and more. The title track hums with quiet intensity, mirroring the song’s contemplative lyrics about being overwhelmed by inner thoughts. Here, Kiana documents her journey to finding inner peace and healing the disparate pieces herself. Her single “I Want To Be Here”, in partnership with mental healthcare app KonsultaMD, is also a call for greater mental health. “I want to be here / Want to feel free here / I want to be real,” Kiana proclaims over a moody beat.

Kiana’s 2022 single, “Heartbeat on Me,” showcases a different side to the artist. Opening with infectious synths and gently tapping drums, the song is a delectable confection of R&B and pop. It’s a display of both patience and a rush towards pleasure, and sways seamlessly between emotive verses and an addictive call-and-response chorus.

Kiana says about the track: “‘Heartbeat On Me’ is a song about when you feel like you can really dive in and fall in love with someone, but you want to make sure the feeling is mutual first. You want to know that they’ll be there for you the way you are for them.”

Continuing her artistic journey, Kiana maintained a steady stream of compelling music in 2023 and 2024. In 2024, she released two singles, "Dare You" and "Sweet Release," both receiving great responses from her current fanbase and garnering new fans in the US. Notably, her single "Sana," released in 2024, pulls from her roots in the Philippines and is inspired by the classic song, "Sana Maulit Muli." She, along with her co-writer Rosemarie Tan, wrote the song primarily in English, but added Tagalog words to pay homage to the iconic OPM hit by Gary Valenciano. This track, like her other releases during this period, further explored the nuances of love, self-discovery, and modern relationships, all delivered through her signature ethereal vocals and expertly crafted R&B-infused pop soundscapes. These releases resonated with her growing fanbase and continued to showcase her evolution as a songwriter and performer, solidifying her position as a distinctive voice in contemporary music.

Looking ahead, anticipation is building for Kiana V's upcoming full-length album, scheduled for release in 2026. Her upcoming project captures her at the height of evolution – genre-bending, emotionally fearless in storytelling, and poised to resonate with a wider audience than ever before. With a dedicated global fanbase eagerly awaiting new material, this album is poised to mark a significant step forward in Kiana V's burgeoning international career.