From Radiohead-inspired roots to 10M streams: the rise of fitterkarma

Exploring the dark romance and Gen Z resilience of OPM’s newest breakout act

“Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II” has become one of those songs that keeps resurfacing online. On Spotify’s Top 50 Philippines chart, the track holds a strong position and has crossed the 10-million-stream mark on the platform. 

Behind this song is the Gen Z band fitterkarma, whose sound formed when its members met at De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, created their breakout hit as vocalist Joao de Leon’s thesis project. Joao, also the band’s guitarist and songwriter, shared this origin in their Instagram reel series “Behind The Lyrics.”

With a passion for creativity and experimentation, the band began to develop the style and collaboration that would eventually define their music.

The origin: a Benilde thesis turned viral hit

The band performed in the Gimenez Gallery, UP Diliman, on November 22, where radar Entertainment spoke with them after their five-song set.

“It started as a solo project of mine,” Joao said, recalling his beginnings as a soloist back in 2019. Over time, he grew to enjoy collaborating with other musicians and turned the project into a full band.

In 2023, it rebranded as fitterkarma, partly because marketing his own name was challenging and hard to pronounce.

The band’s name was inspired by Radiohead, combining two “OK Computer tracks:” “Fitter Happier” and “Karma Police,” in the same way Radiohead took their name from a Talking Heads song.

The band’s musical influences are as wide-ranging as their sound, drawing from both international and local artists that many Gen Z listeners are familiar with. Sanders Bayas, the band’s drummer, mentioned Radwimps, the Japanese rock band known for their cinematic soundtracks. Joao and bassist Sophia Miranda added names like Pink Floyd, Bon Iver, Phoebe Bridgers, and Steak, a UK-based stoner/alt-rock band. 

Their newest guitarist, LORY, mentioned Greta Van Fleet, referencing the modern rock band heavily influenced by classic ’70s rock.

fitterkarma also pays homage to local acts. Their favorite bands include Queso, Typecast, Urbandub, and Autotelic, while their preferred solo artists feature Sexy Jay and Unique Salonga.

Initially, guitarist Calvin Borja was part of the band, leaving “cordially and on good terms,” as he shared on Reddit. Addy Pantig, the voice behind their breakout song, is also departing.

Dark aesthetic: love as “Cannibalism”

fitterkarma’s connection with their audience starts with a simple fact. “We connect dahil Gen Z din kami,” Joao said, explaining how their experiences and perspectives naturally resonate with listeners of the same generation.

The band says their songs’ impact comes from a personal touch. “Our process is about being authentic, true to ourselves,” Joao explained, adding that they value flexibility so listeners can connect in their own way. “It doesn’t matter where the audience relates the song or how they apply it. It doesn’t just belong to us.”

Joao and his partner wrote their single “Sumpa” in February 2024, a reflection of his long-standing belief in his lack of luck in love. 

“I used to believe na may sumpa ako when it comes to it,” he said, explaining that he had avoided writing songs for his girlfriend for fear of jinxing the relationship. Seeing how far they had come, he wanted to capture the fear of losing someone you love and the process of overcoming it. The song was also shaped by distance, as Joao navigated a long-distance relationship while feeling homesick, adding deeper emotional weight.

fitterkarma leans into a dark aesthetic, blending horror and romance. In “Pag-ibig ay Kanibalismo II,” an all-consuming love is imagined through cannibalistic lovers, with macabre imagery softened by mutual reassurance. As the primary songwriter, Joao builds the concepts for each track, which the rest of the band then brings to life with their own creative touch.

The live grind: from Marikina to UST

The band has long dreamed of performing live, shaped by years of attending gigs individually—Joao from age 19 and Sanders from 22. fitterkarma’s journey as a live act began in 2023 with their first show at Pit88 in Marikina City. “We experienced playing empty venues,” the band shared. For nearly two years, they performed in spaces where only a handful of people showed up, but those nights became their training ground. 

From that slow beginning, they gradually witnessed their audience grow. Their biggest show so far happened this year at UST during the College of Fine Arts and Design Week 25th Year closing concert, a milestone that felt surreal compared to their earlier gigs. Today, they find themselves performing no less than four times a week.