The Early Years of Darren Espanto

Who is Darren Espanto?

The 14 year old teenager mostly known as the contestant with distinct powerful pop voice who performed his own version of the OPM classic hits “Ngayon” and “You Are My Song” and was mentored and coached by Sarah Geronimo in The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1. This stint solidified him not only as a familiar name in every Filipino household but also attracting fans all over the country instantly.

At the age of 2, Canadian-born Darren Lyndon Gonzales Espanto discovered his love for singing. His Filipino parents both had the same passion for arts and music.

But prior to his rise and fame due to his appearance in the said competition, what most people little know was he also joined a reality TV show in Canada back in 2012. YTV’s “The Next Star Season 5” paved the way for his career as a singer and performer. He was the youngest finalist to ever grace the competition.

Fast-forward to present, Ivory Music discovered that Darren joined the said TV show. Known for supporting and promoting talented Filipino musicians, Ivory Music initiated a little research about Darren and his music. Upon learning that all recordings were produced overseas and released by Sony Music Canada through ITunes Canada but not available for purchase in the Philippines, this gave them the impetus to compile the songs he performed into an album.

Alongside YTV Canada, Inc., Country Music Television, and Inc. TRICON Television59, Inc. on board, Ivory Music has finally released The Next Star Chronicles: The Early Years in his home country on December 4, 2015.

It is a compilation of eight pop and upbeat tracks including, “Gotta Give A Little Extra” an original by Darren Espanto “Build A Girl” by The Foo, “Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)” by The Jacksons, “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” by Michael Jackson, “Locked Out of Heaven” by Bruno Mars, “Diamonds” by Rihanna, “Puppy Love” by Paul Anka, and “Oh Oh Santa” by The Next Star Top 5 Contestants.

The Next Star Chronicles: The Early Years will be available in all AstroPlus and Odyssey records stores in malls near you! Also available for digital downloading at iTunes, Spotify, Deezer, Guvera, Rdio, Amazon and soon on Spinnr.ph

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