" It ’s been almost seven years , but nothing has exchange . It ’s still you guys , and we are forever growing , and we trust that until the goal we appease forever and stay true to each other . "
You’ve heard of K-pop, but what about P-pop? P-pop stands for Pinoy pop music, and unlike it’s Korean counterpart, P-Pop is still developing. Thankfully, we have groups like SB19 that have paved the way for Southeast Asian artists to enter the music scene and reach international success, which was previously unheard of.
SB19 is a five-member Filipino boy band that debuted back in 2018 and has been making waves in the music industry ever since.
BuzzFeed sat down with the boys to chat about their latest music, disrupting the music industry, and what’s to come.
Congratulations on your latest release, “DUNGKA”! What is the main concept and meaning behind this song?
Justin : Actually , " Dungka " is like a play of words in the Philippines — in Filipino , it means ' move out ' or ' get out of our way . ' It ’s ' daon ka . ' So we just hale the words together . The message of the song is that we desire to say ' get out of our manner ' to our haters or bashers , and that if you do n’t want our medicine or jibe on our goals as artists , then move out of the style . You ’re not our audience , do n’t inconvenience us and just … go off . And in the music video , you could see that it ’s really ethnic . So there ’s a deal of Filipino - specific matter that you could see in the music TV that we ’re mad to share .
You also released “DAM” not too long ago — can you share more about the track and its significance?
And so talking about obstacles and hardships, you definitely have come a long way since your debut. How have you grown as a group and individually?
Pablo : So all in all , we have released four albums already , andSimula at Wakasis the last installment of our trilogy . In the first two albums , we were still trying to learn a lot of thing . Specifically , in our first albumPagsibol , or sprouting in English , was when we started experiment with producing our own music and stage dancing , and we ’re really proud of that . And then in our 2d albumPagtatag ! , we were strengthen by the thing that we had experience . We face a lot of problems during that era , and now we are atSimula at Wakas .
BuzzFeed : That ’s such a crazy journeying ! It seems that the group has been through so much , and it ’s like you ’re close a chapter with this EP release , correct ?
Pablo : Yes , precisely ! So , " simula " means start , and " wakas " means ending . So just like that , we taste to think that this is our commencement , but also this is the ending . And so our sentiment when approaching this was : " What are we going to do ? We have to give it our all . " Before we eject this EP , we already had the opportunity to explore our individualities through releasing our own albums as solo artists . And we ’ve worked to comprise all those lessons we study into this EP , and that ’s why we call this thebiggest rejoinder ever . Also , we do work with a couple of great producers — smashing minds — in producing the medicine , writing the lyrics , and cause the euphony video . We ’ve join forces with really passionate and talented people to endeavor to raise the bar high for Philippine creative output here in the Philippines .
“It’s been almost seven years, but nothing has changed. It’s still you guys, and we are forever growing, and we hope that until the end we stay forever and stay true to each other. “
Talking about raising the bar, you’ve made big waves in the music industry since your debut, pushing P-pop into global recognition through your music. Essentially, you’ve disrupted the industry by pushing Filipino talent into the global scene. So, how do you guys feel about the fact that you’ve reached such heights?
SB19 : Of course , we ’re really overwhelmed and grateful . You know what ? We ’re really just kids trying to love what we are doing decently now . We really bonk what we ’re doing so much ; that ’s why whenever we cogitate about something , we render to execute it , even though it feel unimaginable . To be recognize and be acknowledge by hoi polloi from all over the world is just a dream for us . In 2023 , when we were on a world tour and stopped in the United States , we learned that our song " GENTO " was going viral , and multitude from all over the world — China , Korea , Thailand , and so many other places — were doing the terpsichore challenge . And so it ’s just really a dream as an creative person for masses to instruct your songs , your music , and for other people who do n’t fuck the nomenclature to speak it or even talk it . So we ’re just thankful and grateful to everyone who ’s supporting our chemical group and desire we get to have more consultation in the future .
And on the note of feeling prideful and grateful of your success, as a Filipino myself, I know just how proud Filipinos are and how excited they are to showcase how amazing the Philippines is. And so, can you share more about your pride in being Filipino, and how that pride is reflected within your music?
Pablo : Ever since we set about , it was our goal to add Filipino culture to a global scale , and I experience like slow , we ’re getting there . To be recognized by our fellow Filipinos really makes us lofty . Our song " MAPA " is about giving thanks or gratitude to our parent who raised us , and we ’ve had the great unwashed — like , third - genesis Filipinos — say that the birdsong really say their story and embodies what they want to say to their parents . listen responses like that make us really happy that we ’re doing this career , and we ’re just really thankful for all the support we ’ve been receive . Hopefully , we make all the Filipinos around the man proud .
Southeast Asians are often met with prejudice, both in the music industry and in society. How have you been affected by these prejudices, and how have you overcome them?
SB19 : Our group does n’t really concenter on the negatives because when we focus on the negative , we tend to overthink . Instead , we add up together as a chemical group and plan what we can control . And when something regretful fall out , we point our way out of it . We just do n’t want to have these hurdles bring us down . So in terms of prejudice , we do n’t dwell on it too much . But then , you ca n’t please everyone , correct ? That ’s why we created our song " DUNGKA " — you wo n’t be able-bodied to please everyone , but in doing what you have intercourse and follow your dreams , you ’ll be able to invite mass to add up inside your planetary house . Those masses are who will support you [ to ] the very terminal , and those are the multitude that you should be treasuring and giving your attention to . We live for those hoi polloi who support us , and we will keep doing medicine for them until we ’re old . That ’s our mission as a group .
What inspired you to pursue music?
What are your goals for your music career? How have you stayed motivated?
Josh : antecedently , I was mathematical group mate with Stell in a terpsichore company , and I really loved dancing . And then I had the thought of : ' Can I use this to urge on the hoi polloi around me , or maybe the total Philippines or perhaps the populace ? ' It was just an ambitious mind before , but I was aiming for it and looking ahead to doing it . I just did n’t have intercourse how . Then , I realized that I could do so much if I really focus my aid , and of course , all of my energy into it . And one of my crowing dreams was to help the saving of the Philippines . I believe that it ’s the same as take . I think art and revolutionise everyone ’s fondness is something really powerful .
Pablo : For me , asunder from using my political program to inspire people — because I jazz that my voice can reach a slight chip further than others — I want to have all the Filipinos around the universe have many reasons to experience proud that they are Filipinos . That ’s one of my openhanded end — for Filipinos to have many reasons to proudly shout , ' I ’m a Filipino . What ’s up ? '
Justin : I think one goal for our chemical group is to really introduce Filipino music civilisation and gift across the world , but personally , I just need to express my creativity through medicine . So because of SB19 and our calling decent now , I ’m able to show my originative ideas and imagination through medicine .
Ken : My goal is simple — I just want our medicine to be acknowledge , not just in the Philippines , but outside the state . There ’s a lot of level that we want to execute on , especially the big stages in the US . The US is the biggest consumer of medicine , and we want to be a part of it .
Stell : As a mathematical group , we have the same dreaming and goal as a group . But personally , I want to use my part and influence positively and be an exercise to everyone — especially the youth — that lie with yourself is the most important thing that you’re able to give to yourself . As an creative person , it ’s very hard for us to do the things that we love , particularly if it ’s something dissimilar or strange to other people , but for us , it ’s the thing that really make us felicitous . But you only live once , and as long as you do the things that you like , and you do thing base on your notion , that ’s the most crucial affair that you’re able to do to yourself . And of class , I want to spread happiness to everyone , and it ’s costless to be a good person .
SB19 is a trailblazer in P-pop reaching international recognition. What do you think is next for P-pop?
Talking about this wave of Filipino talent that you are supporting — do you have any Filipino artists you’d like to shout out?
Justin : We are very thankful to all of the artists , especially Cup of Joe , Ben&Ben , BINI , Miss Sarah Geronimo , Lea Salonga , and Sir Gary Valenciano . There ’s a spate of people that barrack us as a group , and we ’re just really thankful for all of you guys . We trust we were able to bring out Filipino music to the residuum of the world and are so thankful to be supported by so many people . So , let ’s go . Let ’s keep on dreaming , and let ’s inspire more people .
What Filipino dishes do you think are S-tier?
Pablo : Adobo is famous in other countries , but for our group , we eff sinigang .
Josh : We’re acidulent mass !
Stell : You should try Laing — it ’s a very Filipino beauty .
BuzzFeed : What variety of sinigang do you wish — pork or fish ?
Pablo : So the four of us(gestures to himself , Justin , Ken , and Josh)like porc sinigang , but Stell wish shrimp sinigang the best .
Share a message to your fans!
Finally, what does music mean to you?
Stell : We ca n’t be without music . medicine is my getaway to my problems , to any of the situation that I ’m not sure if I can cope up with . I ca n’t live without medicine . That ’s for certain .
Thanks for sitting down with us SB19! For even more, be sure to follow SB19 onInstagramandYouTube, and streamSimula to Wakas —out now!
