Freestyle (Filipino band)
Freestyle is a pop/R&B band formed in Davao City, Philippines in 1996 currently fronted by Top Suzara since 2022, who returned seventeen years after he initially left in 2005. The band was formed in 1996, hit the mainstream in 1998 and popular for the songs "Before I Let You Go", "So Slow", "This Time", "Till I Found You", "Para Sa 'Yo", "Once in a Lifetime" and their rendition of "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?" with Pops Fernandez.
Background
The band was originally founded by former guitarist Richard Felix "Tat" Suzara in Davao City. Two of the most notable members of the classic lineup include vocalists Jinky Vidal and Top Suzara, the band's primary songwriter, who left the band in 2011 and 2005 respectively and went on to have solo careers. Post-Freestyle, Vidal and Top Suzara had a reunion concert together in 2013. Other notable band members were vocalists Joshua Desiderio, Mike Luis, Ava Santos, and drummer Gerald Banzon who were with the band until Top Suzara returned and took over in 2022.In mid-2022, after the pre-"Top Suzara-comeback" lineup disbanded, Suzara took over and continued the "Freestyle" brand accompanied by his own all-male session musicians. Suzara had his first comeback performance as Freestyle at 19 East in October 2022 in a sold-out gig. Suzara also trademarked "Freestyle" in the Intellectual Property Office solely under his name. The IPO ruled that "Freestyle" is synonymous with the name Top Suzara and is deemed the rightful owner.
Members
Current members
- Christopher "Top" Suzara – vocals/guitar/chief songwriter '
- IJ Garcia – keyboards/vocals/musical director '
- Ian Tan – bass/vocals '
- Bouy Manalo – guitar/vocals '
- Gibson Viduya – drums/vocals ''''
Former members
- Jinky Vidal – vocals '
- Joshua Desiderio – vocals/keyboards/guitars '
- Mike Luis – vocals/keyboards '
- Tat Suzara – lead guitar/backing vocals/founder '
- Gerald Banzon – drums/percussion '
- Ava Santos – female vocals '
- Rommel dela Cruz – bass guitar '
- Bobby Velasco – keyboards/arranger '
- Joel Guarin – bass guitar '
- Gino Aguas – lead guitar '
- Nikki Cabardo – keyboards '
- Carlo Tapia – bass guitar '
- Obet Luzon – keyboards '
- Tzuki Garcia – drums/percussion '
- Jun Masamayor – keyboards
- Lerod Cailao – drums/vocals ''''
Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
Collaboration albums
- Closer to Home
- Closer to Home 2
- Servant of All Jubilaeum A.D. 2000
- Tunog Acoustic 1
- Acoustic Lokal
- Senti: 18 Pinoy Love Hits
- Senti Dos
- Hit Covers
- Senti 3
- Simly Fied
- Senti Four: It's Complicated
- '' Sing-along with Freestyle''
Live albums
- Freestyle Live
- The Love Concert: The Album
- All Hits Live at the Araneta
- ''Live @ 19 East''
DVDs
- Freestyle Live
- The Love Concert: The Album
- All Hits Live at the Araneta
- ''Live @ 19 East''
Singles
Original
- Before I Let You Go
- Bes Pren
- So Slow
- This Time
Covers
- Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang
- Half Crazy
- Paano
- We Are Gifts
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
| 2008 | Awit Awards | Best R&B Recording | "Rainbow Coloured Sky" |