Note: This article has been updated on January 4, 2022, to change the event venue and remove the part about having live audience members on the awards night. A new update was made on January 12 to further reflect the postponement of the WMAs from January 16 to a later date.

Primed to be a landmark musical revelry, the 7th Wish Music Awards (WMAs) is set to be held on January 30, 2022, Sunday.

The annual awarding ceremony, which recognizes the country’s musical cream of the crop, will take place at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. Only the performers, hosts, and the event’s production crew will be at the venue. All attendees are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 and present a negative Covid test result as per IATF guidelines.

The 7th WMAs will feature performances from KZ Tandingan, Moira Dela Torre, Ben&Ben, SB19, The Juans, Arthur Nery, Zack Tabudlo, Zephanie, Lyca Gairanod, and VXON.

 The entire awards show will be streamed on the Wish YouTube channel on a separate date.

7th Wish Music Awards Nominees

Showcasing the station’s unwavering commitment to celebrate OPM, the 7th WMAs will have 53 acts vying across 19 major categories. The eligibility period is from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. 

Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year

• BGYO – “The Light”
• Morissette – “Phoenix”
• SB19 – “Ikako”
• TJ Monterde – “Inday”

Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year

• KZ Tandingan – “Dodong”
• Lyca Gairanod – “Akala Ko Ba”
• SB19 – “Hanggang Sa Huli”
• The CompanY – “Sumakabilang Puso”

Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year

• Darren – “Tama Na”
• Elha Nympha – “Do It”
• Jay R – “Hinay”
• Kyle Echarri – “Panaginip”

Wishclusive Rock/Alternative Performance of the Year

• Bandang Lapis – “Kabilang Buhay”
• The Juans – “Pangalawang Bitaw”
• Zack Tabudlo – “Binibini”
• Zild – “Kyusi”

Wishclusive Hip-hop Performance of the Year

• 1096 Gang – “Pajama Party”
• Ez Mil – “Panalo”
• MC Einstein ft. Flow G, Yuri Dope, and Jekkpot – “Bahala Ka”
• Smugglaz – “HakunaMatata”

Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year

• Adie – “Paraluman”
• Ben&Ben – “Sa Susunod na Habangbuhay”
• Janine Teñoso – “Art of Letting Go”
• juan karlos – “Boston”

Wishclusive Contemporary R&B Performance of the Year

• Arthur Nery – “Binhi”
• James Reid – “Soda”
• Leanne & Naara – “Who’s Gonna Love You”
• Quest – “Tuloy Tuloy”

Wishclusive Collaboration of the Year

• Jay R and CLR – “Pangako”
• KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde – “Simula”
• Monty Macalino and Rangel Fernandez – “Kailan Ba Ako Gagaling?”
• Young JV and Khel Pangilinan – “Come Thru”

Wish Pop Song of the Year

• “Born to Win” – BINI 
• “Sigurado” – Belle Mariano 
• “Trophy” – Morissette 
• “What?” – SB19

Wish Ballad Song of the Year

• “Dulo” – The Juans 
• “Halong” – SUD 
• “Manatili” – Ebe Dancel 
• “Orbiting” – Reese Lansangan

Wish R&B Song of the Year

• “Anticipation” – Leanne & Naara 
• “Take All The Love” – Arthur Nery 
• “Try Love Again” – Julie Anne San Jose 
• “YK” – Cean Jr.

Wish Rock/Alternative Song of the Year

• “Bungantulog” – Zild 
• “Fragile and Human” – Gabby Alipe 
• “Guillotine Drops” – Bita and The Botflies 
• “Wala Lang” – I Belong To The Zoo

Wish Hip-hop Song of the Year

• “Beautiful Day” – Mike Swift, D-Coy, Alisson Shore, kiyo, and Mark Beats 
• “Ibong Adarna” – Flow G ft. Gloc-9 
• “Operation 10-90” – Shockra 
• “Teknik” – Shanti Dope ft. DJ Buddah

Wish Contemporary R&B Song of the Year

• “Angel Baby” – GIBBS, Moophs 
• “Hello” – James Reid 
• “Lagi” – Skusta Clee 
• “Paagi” – UDD

Wish Contemporary Folk Song of the Year

• “Ako Naman Muna” – Angela Ken 
• “Maligaya” – Munimuni 
• “Paubaya” – Moira Dela Torre 
• “Upuan” – Ben&Ben

Wish Song Collaboration of the Year

• “Happy W U” – Arthur Nery and Jason Dhakal 
• “Lunod” – Ben&Ben, Zild, and juan karlos 
• “Pelikula” – Janine Teñoso and Arthur Nery 
• “Sugat” – Ben&Ben and Munimuni

Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year

• Adie 
• Bandang Lapis 
• BGYO 
• Zack Tabudlo

Wish Group of the Year

• Ben&Ben 
• Leanne & Naara 
• SB19 
• The Juans

Wish Artist of the Year

• Arthur Nery 
• Moira Dela Torre 
• Morisette 
• Zild

Continuing its tradition of championing charity, Wish 107.5 will donate Php100,000 to each of the winning acts’ respective beneficiaries. The winners themselves will receive Php25,000.

Apart from the major awards, special recognitions will also be given including the KDR Icon of Musical Excellence and the KDR Icon of Music and Philanthropy. The awards, which were first bestowed in 2020, are respectively handed out to an industry luminary and an individual or a group that uses music to inspire and further a charitable cause.

Wishclusive Elite Circle citations will also be awarded to artists whose Wishclusive videos have reached at least 10 million views within the eligibility period.

READ MORE: 6th Wish 107.5 Music Awards: Complete List of Winners

During the 6th WMAs, Wish 107.5 innovator Kuya Daniel Razon lauded the important role that musicians play in today’s pandemic-stricken world.

“At a time when the world needs to run on hope, fight an unseen foe, we found music that helps bring people together; melodies that have become the rallying point for unity; songs that embody our strength over hopelessness; lyrics that express our courage and resiliency; and music that calls on God for mercy and thanksgiving,” he remarked

“From me — and the millions of hearts that your works have inspired — what you do is and without a doubt, absolutely essential,” he further enthused, underscoring how powerful music can be especially in times of uncertainties.