POP MONEY WORLDWIDE is a DIY collective from Manila, built on two core ideas: “Make cool stuff with your friends” and “Take care of each other.” This philosophy shapes everything they do, from music to visual art, and fosters a sense of community that transcends the usual boundaries of genre and style.
Made up of musicians, producers, stylists, videographers, and streamers, POP MONEY is more about a shared mindset than a unified aesthetic. Formed in 2023 from various creative groups, the collective thrives on differences, believing they’re key to great art. “We’re trying to blur the lines between subcultures, genres, and media forms,” they explain. For them, diversity in backgrounds and influences is a strength, not a challenge.
What sets POP MONEY apart is their willingness to experiment. “That sounds like a terrible idea, let’s try it,” they often say, embracing risky combinations of styles and forms. “Art has no rules. Who says an underground artist can’t make funny short-form content? Who says a pop artist can’t put a metal breakdown in their song?” This openness to trying new things—without overthinking—guides their creative process. “If it feels right and seems cool, we try it. No deeper than that.”
At the heart of POP MONEY is collaboration. The collective believes in sharing ideas, sounds, and influences to create something greater than the sum of its parts. “It’s not fun if only one of us wins,” says one member. “We’re trying to make sure everyone eats—from the artist to the producer, the mixing engineer, the stylist, and the photographer. Everyone involved deserves to feel heard and compensated for their work.”
This approach is reflected in how they credit their projects. While individual members maintain their own profiles, most works are credited to POP MONEY WORLDWIDE as a whole. “Even if Hijo or serro aren’t in the studio, maybe we take an idea from a song Hijo linked in the group chat or use a kick serro made. It’s all collaborative, whether directly or indirectly.”
Despite their wide range of influences, POP MONEY’s work is surprisingly cohesive, often evoking the feeling of “I didn’t know I needed this.” They aim for more than just mixing genres—they focus on capturing the energy and emotion of the people involved. “We’re all massive fans of each other, and I think it shows,” says the group.
Pop Money Worldwide
While music is central to POP MONEY, they’re equally active in other forms of media. Richard Webb (@richieweaves) handles videography and photography, while Fumi Paderes (@fumikuri_) takes charge of graphic design. Kyle Lim (@kdlimlim) serves as the collective’s stylist, and Johann Go (JoZuraPlays, TikTok) and Camille Santos (carrotsailor, Twitch) are exploring content creation and streaming. For POP MONEY, there’s no boundary between art forms—each medium offers another way to connect with people.
In October, the group will host their first live event, “POP MONEY NIGHT! WITH FRIENDS!” at Sari Sari Makati. Although the members frequently attend each other’s shows, this will be the first time they perform together as a collective. “We’re all really stoked. It almost feels like a birthday party for the group,” they share. True to their DIY roots, the members are handling every aspect of the event, with Fumi designing the graphics and Oz Kabuhat leading art direction.
The event promises intersecting setlists, a costume contest, and a surprise guest. In true POP MONEY fashion, they offer a playful challenge: “We have 500 pesos and a pack of Mighty cigarettes for anyone who can guess the guest correctly.”
As they continue to grow, POP MONEY WORLDWIDE remains committed to its DIY ethos. Their success comes from collaboration, experimentation, and a refusal to be boxed in by tradition. Whether through music, art, or content creation, they aim to push boundaries and create spaces where everyone has the chance to shine.
“We don’t know what tomorrow holds, but if we keep doing things our way, we’re pretty sure it’ll be something cool.”
