Hitmaker on a Mission: Mark Feist returns to Manila with collabs, strategic partnerships, and industry-backed initiatives

Mark Feist—renowned for his work with global icons like Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, John Legend, The Spice Girls, Outkast, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, Regine Velasquez, and many more—is back in the Philippines to bring with him a wave of exciting musical projects and industry-shaping collaborations.

Leading the charge are two new tracks produced by Feist, in collaboration with the Philippines’ R&B King, Jay R. Their first release, “Tunay,” which dropped on Friday, July 25, 2025, delivers a refreshing New Jack Swing-inspired beat paired with a slick R&B hook, capturing the effortless cool of a laid-back summer anthem. The second one, still under wraps, is a duet between Jay R and rising pop newcomer Shanice. 

“Jay R is an artist who truly inspired me,” says the multi-platinum producer. “His talent, his voice, and his work ethic are world-class. Our collaboration on Tunay came from deep creative conversations, and what we created together is something I genuinely believe can sit alongside today’s biggest global releases. At this point in my career, I only work on music that can compete at the highest level, and Jay R absolutely meets that standard.”

A proud nephew of OPM legend Pilita Corrales, Mark has built an impressive international career as a producer and composer, contributing to albums and singles that have collectively sold over 35 million units worldwide, including the worldwide no. 1 hit “Emotions” by Destiny’s Child. He recently started HITMAKERS ENTERTAINMENT, a full-service label/production/publishing company. One of their success stories so far is Australian pop artist Tash, whose music continues to rack up more than 80 million streams across different platforms. 

“Real artist development in the streaming era is our core mission at Hitmakers Entertainment, and TASH is the perfect example of that,” shares Mark Feist. “We signed her at 15 with zero fanbase—now she’s built a formidable catalog, amassed millions of streams, and is selling out shows with fans flying in from around the world. TASH is a once-in-a-generation artist, and she’s just getting started.”

Further cementing Hitmakers’ forward-thinking approach, Feist recently announced a strategic partnership with Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists. The partnership, according to a recent press release, “marks the beginning of a broader relationship between Symphonic and Hitmakers, with future initiatives planned to support emerging and established artists from Australia and Southeast Asia.”

Mark sees the alliance as a game-changing initiative to develop and support some of the most promising new talents in Asia and the Pacific. 

“Symphonic Asia’s Guji Lorenzana is a rare kind of music executive: he brings together sharp instincts, profound industry experience, and a forward-thinking approach to tech and streaming,” explains Mark. “His perspective allows him to see opportunities others might miss. Jorge [Brea], as CEO, is a true visionary—he builds exceptional teams and has a clear sense of where the music industry is headed. Together, Symphonic and HME form a powerhouse partnership that’s poised to break barriers, set new standards, and create the next generation of post-streaming superstars.”