The Beat Manila’s Up-and-Coming Artist: Trans Pinay Pop Star Stef Aranas
The Beat Manila’s Up and Coming is a series where we feature rising talented artists from the Philippines, giving them a platform to share what they’re passionate about and to promote the music they (and us too!) would love for the world to hear. Do you want or know someone who wants to be featured? Email us at [email protected] or slide through our DMs on Facebook or Instagram!
Queer artists have always played a vital role in shaping the music industry, bringing in unique perspectives and breaking barriers with their creativity. However, despite growing visibility, many still face challenges navigating a world that often resists their authenticity.
Meet Stef Aranas, an up-and-coming pop and R&B singer-songwriter whose star shines brightly despite these debacles. From belting show tunes as a theater kid and becoming part of the duo Stef & Euge to juggling music and a career in marketing, she is taking new steps, now as a full-time musician and the first transgender artist under the independent local music label Offshore Music.
In an exclusive interview, Stef sat down with The Beat Asia to talk about her musical journey, the challenges of being a trans artist in such an industry, her latest single, and what her listeners can look forward to from her this year. Read on and get to know more about the "trans Pinay pop superstar!”
From Theater Kid to Full-Time Artist: Stef’s Musical Evolution
Stef was no stranger to performing. With a talent for singing and writing, music is something that just came to her naturally. She joined a theater group during her school days and began writing her first song at the young age of 13, which was inspired by her own teenage heartbreak and Taylor Swift’s “Teardrops on My Guitar.”
However, it was in college that she picked up the courage to start releasing her own music. She also became a part of the duo, Stef & Euge, releasing tracks such as “Expectations,” and “Unrest.” While doing all these, she has also been making a living in the field of digital marketing.
But this year was a big one for Stef. Deciding to fully commit to the craft, she signed with Offshore Music and quit her day job, making her a full-time singer and songwriter. Stef then made her first solo comeback under Offshore Music with the fierce and quirky hip-hop track “Cvnty.”
Like her personality, Stef’s music carries a multitude of colors: from the beat-heavy reds to the rhythmic and sentimental blues. “Music, in a lot of ways, is my therapy. Literally, I’ve cried while writing certain songs,” she shared.
But more than anything, Stef wants her music to empower her listeners.
“Especially with my latest release, ‘Cvnty.’ It’s really all about empowering queer people, especially femmes, in all shapes and forms. Femininity is such a powerful thing, and it’s something we all should be proud of and embrace. It’s something that deserves to be celebrated."
Aside from her songs that ooze confidence, she also delves into sentimentality with songs that are more on the emotional side. “With the more vulnerable tracks that I’m going to put out, I hope that [they] are able to provide comfort to people, especially in this horrible world we live in,” she added.
On Representing Trans Artists
“I guess the most major challenge is getting people to understand what I do.” This is what Stef had to say about the biggest hurdle she faced being a trans woman in the music industry. According to her, in a society that continues to hold transphobic and misogynistic views, it was difficult for her to introduce herself to the public and break their misconceptions about trans people.
“Yes, people are more open to queerness and transness, now more than ever, pero (but) at the same time, it’s still a smaller group of people compared to the general public. People are still not yet well-informed about SOGIE,” she added.
On how people can better support queer artists in the music industry, Stef has simple-to-follow advice: “Sign us. Book us. Stream our music. Like our posts, shout it out. Shedding light on what we do and consuming what we do intentionally is the best way to support us.”
She also has a message for other queer artists striving to share their craft with the world: “Just keep doing what you’re doing and standing [by] your truth because that’s your superpower.”
What’s next for Stef?
From signing with Offshore to releasing her latest single, “Cvnty,” Stef’s listeners have a lot more to look forward to this year. Come Aug. 29, the singer will be releasing a remix for the said track, made in collaboration with talented rapper Kumare Harvey.
That’s not all, because she is also set to release multiple singles and her first solo debut album before the year ends!
“A lot of good things are happening this year,” Stef teased with a smile.
While Stef has a lot more to conquer and more music to put out, we can't wait to see her strut her way to becoming one of the country's pop superstars!
To learn more about Stef Aranas, follow her on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, or stream her music on Spotify or YouTube.
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