Started in Davao City, Philippines, the music and dance style known as budots has a kinetic, vernacular energy that puts it in conversation with a global array of hardcore electronic music genres, from British rave to Baltimore club to baile funk. Its unrelenting beat is the soundtrack to Filipino life, both online and on the hard concrete. Within the coiled parameters of the music, which is at once electrifyingly tinny and EDM-style huge, budots has the ability to take on any number of novel characteristics, making it the perfect style to represent the polyglot culture it comes out of.

We recently sent some questions over to DJ Love, DJ Danz, and DJ Ericnem, all three of whom are legends of the genre. Read their responses, and listen to Budots World: 3-Hit Combo! below.

For those unfamiliar, could you talk a bit about the origins of budots music?

Budots originated in Mindanao, particularly in Davao City. It began around 2008 or 2009 and was first known as “budong” before becoming “budots.” The genre spread through videoke machines, mobile disco setups, and local mix club groups, which helped it become widely popular.

How did the three of you meet?

We connected through our shared love for music and remixing. Social media played a big role, especially through the remixes we were already making and sharing online.

What were some of your influences when you started, and how has that developed over the years?

We were influenced by disco, budots, and remix groups like DMC and DMD, as well as international DJs. In the early days, people laughed at budots and called it baduy, but over time the sound gained recognition. Some of us also came from backgrounds in techno and hardtek, which influenced how our style evolved.

How would you say that each of your styles differ?

Each of us has our own approach to remixing, especially in how we use synths, bass lines, and rhythmic elements. Even within budots, we each bring something distinct to the sound.

Budots has been getting more attention from the international press lately. What has that experience been like?

We want to show people a genre they may not have encountered before and let them enjoy the music we’ve created. Seeing people dance to budots internationally has been very meaningful for us.

What is the all-time greatest Budots track?

“Tiw Tiw” by DJ Love—it became extremely famous and could be heard everywhere.

What’s the one restaurant someone needs to eat at if they find themselves in Davao City?

Restaurants that support and celebrate budots culture—especially places that proudly show budots as a Davao City—made, pure Pinoy genre.

What are you excited to do in 2026?

We hope that the three of us can play abroad together and host a budots event overseas, representing our sound on an international stage.