11/06/2025
On this day, June 11, 2022, a moment in independent music history was marked with the official founding of SJE MUSIC GROUP, formerly known as SJ RECORDS PH. What began as a humble collaboration between two passionate visionaries has since evolved into a dynamic home for independent record labels and artists, setting a new standard in music innovation and artistry.
The story traces back to 2016, when Mr. Estabillo, the founder of SJ RECORDS, crossed paths with Mike Jeremy at Sweet Radio 97.7 during the "My Time To Shine: Search for Campus Jocks" competition. Both competing for their respective schools, their initial rivalry quickly transformed into a shared vision for music. Mike Jeremy, already an accomplished songwriter, impressed Mr. Estabillo with his original compositions, planting the seeds for a creative partnership.
In 2017, fueled by ambition and limited resources—a low-end PC and a single faulty boom mic—they recorded Mike Jeremy’s song “DAWAN” at Mr. Estabillo’s bedroom. Though their equipment was modest, their determination was anything but. This grassroots effort laid the foundation for SJ RECORDS, although it was not yet a formal recording studio.
The pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 became a crucible for growth and resilience. During this period, Mike Jeremy independently reproduced and released “DAWAN,” while the duo reconnected to launch Mike Jeremy’s album "Lovedemic" under SJ RECORDS. This album marked the label’s first official release, signaling the transition from passion project to professional enterprise.
By June 11, 2022, SJ RECORDS had matured into a fully established record label dedicated to cultivating independent talent and fostering creative freedom. This milestone was soon followed by the founding of SJE STUDIOS, which became the parent company overseeing and supporting the label’s operations, providing a robust infrastructure for artists to thrive.
Following the launch of SJE STUDIOS, SJ RECORDS was transformed into the home for independent labels—now known as SJE MUSIC GROUP.
Today, SJE Music Group stands as the home for independent artists and labels, driven by a philosophy that champions authenticity over conformity. With a growing catalog of breakout tracks—like studioghela’s “To Be Loved By Me” (over 160,000 Spotify streams) and Toni Duerme’s “Madaya” (over 130,000 streams)—SJE Music Group has proven that indie doesn’t mean invisible.