Global Rising R&B Star Denise Julia Announces New Partnership With Empire

Rising Filipina R&B singer/songwriter and producer Denise Julia makes smooth, sensual R&B that blends ‘90s and early-2000s influences with modern R&B and pop production. Her sound is equipped with airy vocals, layered harmonies and flirtatious lyrics – as seen is her brand her single, “Changes” out today on 2nd Floor Entertainment in a new partnership with global independent record label EMPIRE. EMPIRE is a global music company operating across label, distribution, and publishing. Founded in 2010 by Bay Area native Ghazi, EMPIRE has played a key role in developing and supporting some of today’s most influential artists, including Kendrick Lamar, Fireboy DML, Shaboozey, Asake, XXXTentacion, and Anderson .Paak. Beyond the U.S., EMPIRE has also worked with global artists such as Afgan, G-DRAGON, and EL CAPITXN, continuing to expand its presence across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America while connecting artists and audiences worldwide.

The partnership is officially announced today, but Denise shared an early track with the indie powerhouse last month titled “2GOOD4U” that earned praise from Billboard, VIBE, Okayplayer, Sweety High, and many more. The single also landed on more than two dozen new music Friday playlist placements from Spotify, Audiomack, Apple Music, and more.

Denise Julia caught attention in 2022 with her song "NVMD" which helped solidify her as a rising star within the global music landscape. The single accumulated 200M streams on Spotify and reached the Top 20 of Spotify’s Global Viral chart. She continued her rise in 2023 when she collaborated with her now labelmate–the RIAA certified rapper P-Lo–for their single “B.A.D.” off her debut EP, Sweet Nothings (Chapter 1). The single peaked at #7 on Spotify Philippines, entered the Top 50 of Spotify’s Global Viral Chart, and reached #4 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100. She has since followed up with Sweet Nothings (Chapter 2) and performed the title track on On The Radar. 

Born and raised in the Philippines, Denise Julia is known for her smooth R&B sound and emotionally resonant songwriting because she was heavily influenced by early 2000s R&B and pop. She first captured widespread attention through viral covers and original releases on TikTok before breaking out globally. Denise Julia quickly became the most-streamed Filipina artist on Spotify for three consecutive months and remains one of the country’s top-streamed acts, with nearly 2 million monthly listeners.