It seems breaking up is a popular trend nowadays not only among local celebrities but those in Hollywood as well.

News broke out recently that renowned acoustic duo MYMP have split and more, that Chin Alcantara reportedly kicked out Juris Fernandez due to a “disagreement.”

In line with the buzz, Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online presents five musical duos with members that have gone solo.

M2M

Norwegian duo M2M rose to fame with their single “Don’t Say You Love Me,” which was featured in “Pokemon: The First Movie.”

In 2000, that hit song, along with 15 other tracks which M2M members Marion Raven and Marit Larsen personally wrote, ended up in their debut album, “Shades of Purple.”

The CD, upon release, produced more hits such as  “Mirror, Mirror,” “Pretty Boy,” “The Day You Went Away,” “Girl In Your Dreams,” and “Everything You Do,” which charted in many countries including the Philippines.

Two years later, M2M returned with their sophomore album, “The Big Room,” which featured an edgier sound. However, the two singles off it, “Everything” and “What You Do About Me,” did not achieve the same success as previous releases.

Eventually, while M2M was touring with American singer-songwriter Jewel, Atlantic Records, the duo’s label, dropped them from the roster due to poor record sales.

Surprisingly, Atlantic signed back the duo’s other half, Marion, with plans to turn her into the next superstar “ala Shania Twain.” This development officially marked the split of the two childhood pals.

Marion has so far released two rock-oriented albums---“Here I Am” and “Set Me Free”---but she is yet to live up to what was envisaged for her. She is currently working on her third studio album under the indie label, Eleven Seven Records.

Marit, on the other hand, went in the opposite direction, opting for a musically refreshing sound. Her 2005 solo album, “Under The Surface,” garnered commercial success and critical acclaim.

MTV Europe Music Awards also named Marit “Best Norwegian Act” of 2006, while Spellemannprisen (the Norwegian equivalent to the Grammys) hailed her as “Best Female Artist” and bestowed on her video for the song “Don’t Save Me” a “Best Video” honor.

The Wreckers

Michelle Branch of “Everywhere” and “All You Wanted” fame was at the top of her game as one of music’s pop-rock princesses when she took a hiatus as a solo artist and recruited friend and back-up singer Jessica Harp to form the duo, The Wreckers.

Their first release titled “Stand Still, Look Pretty”---a fusion of Michelle’s pop-rock style and Jessica’s country flair---enjoyed commercial and critical success, yielding the single “Leave The Pieces.”

This song not only landed at the number one spot in the country charts, but also earned for the duo a 2006 Grammy award for “Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group.”

Further, their song “The Good Kind” was picked by the CW series’ “One Tree Hill” for inclusion in the soundtrack with The Wreckers even performing in one of the show’s episodes.

Much to the fans’ dismay, however, creative differences led to the disintegration of the partnership.

In an interview, Michelle said, "It was getting to the point where she (Jessica) and I both looked at each other and said, 'You know what? If we're going to continue to be friends and not kill each other, we should probably take a break.'”

Michelle cleared, though, that the split is not permanent. For now, fans can delight on their separate endeavors.

Michelle is set to release her third album, “Everything Comes and Goes,” while Jessica has released her debut album, “A Woman Needs,” early this year.

Simon & Garfunkel

Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel used to call themselves “Tom and Jerry” when they were still in elementary at Forest Hills High School in New York. Later, they combined their respective surnames to establish themselves as one of the '60s’ most popular folk-rock groups.

When they were not on a break-up status (the two split twice in between their career together because of unsuccessful releases), the two made hits such as “The Sound of Silence,” “I Am A Rock,” “Scarborough Fair/Canticle,” and “A Hazy Shade of Winter.”

Simon & Garfunkel also contributed a song for the 1967 classic comedy-drama film “The Graduate” called “Mrs. Robinson,” which won “Record of the Year” in the 1969 Grammy’s.

Their last album together, “Bridge Over Troubled Waters,” must have been a foreshadowing of the group’s fate. Paul’s acting career occupied his schedule, which almost left no time for his musical obligations. His creative differences with Art also created tension while making the said album.

Simon & Garfunkel ultimately bid their fans goodbye as a duo in 1970. Some 20 years later, in 1990, they were elevated into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Paul pursued a solo music career. He was named by Time Magazine as one of the “100 people who shape our world” in 2006.

Art also tried his hand at a solo music career, but later on focused on acting.

Brooks & Dunn

Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn created noise in the music scene in 1991 with their 6x Platinum-certified album, “Brand New Man.”

Since then, the act has become regular fixtures in the country music charts, placing 26 out of the 50 songs they released at number one.

They have also won several awards from the Academy of Country Music, Country Music Association, American Music Awards, Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and People's Choice Awards.

Of their 10 studio albums, nine have been certified platinum. People may very well remember the duo for their songs “My Maria,” “Brand New Man,” “My Next Broken Heart,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and “I Ain’t Missing You.”

More than two decades of Brooks & Dunn had fans hoping that they will do more.

However, on Aug. 10 of this year that after the final leg of their tour next year, Brooks & Dunn suddenly announced that they will “call it a day.”

"After 20 years of making music and riding this trail together, we have agreed as a duo that it's time to call it a day. This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed.... We owe it all to you, the fans. If you hear rumors, don't believe them, it's just time,” said they through their official website.

Sonny & Cher

It was a case of ‘career meets love’ for pop culture icons Sonny Bono and Cher.

The duo met in 1964 when Sonny was still a Phil Spector protégé for songwriting. Two hit songs in the year 1965, “I Got You Babe” and “Baby Don’t Go,” catapulted the couple to rock and roll fame, following failed attempts at getting media attention. Eventually, Sonny and Cher tied the knot.

More hits for the two came with “The Beat Goes On,” “Little Man,” “Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves,” and “The Way of Love” after that. Further, their three studio albums earned them recording sales amounting to 80 million.

Striking while the iron was hot, the couple starred on their very own hit TV shows, “The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour” and “The Sonny & Cher Show.”

However, during the second half of the ‘60s, the marriage crumbled, and eventually, so did their career as a duo. After divorcing in 1975, Sonny and Cher parted with each trekking his own path.

Sonny ran and won his mayoral candidacy in Palm Springs, California, in 1994. He got married a second time with a Mary Bono and had three kids with her. Unfortunately, Sonny died in a skiing accident in 1998.

Cher, on the other hand, pursued her own career in music, television, and movies. She has won an Academy Award for Best Actress in the film “Moonstruck.”

In the music front, her single, “Believe,” became 1999’s most successful single.