As one of the acts responsible for putting Pinoy pop or simply P-Pop into the global stage, sensational boy band SB19 are determined on seeing through their mission of spreading Filipino music with their latest EP, Pagsibol.
Containing six songs, including the single “What?” and “MAPA”, they describe the EP as a “rollercoaster” that documents their growth and a thank you letter to both their families and their fans, who are collectively known as A’tin.
“Direct na siya,” explained main dancer Ken about the EP’s title during the Pagsibol’s launch and virtual press conference hosted by Spotify and Sony Music Philippines. “So ‘pag-sibol’-germination, because we talk about everything about our growth and about our journey as SB19 from the beginning up to where we are today,”
Riding on the waves of the explosive, rugged tone of “What?,” the six songs on the EP give off a homegrown feel that can swing from the polished EDM beat of “Mana ” to the mature rework of their earlier ballad “Ikako.”
Other songs include “Bazinga,” a hip-hop influenced song about their doubters, and “SLMT” (Salamat), which is a bright and summery thank you to their many supporters. With such diversity packed into six tracks, the EP is full of surprises for both A’tin and casual listeners alike.
“Ayaw namin na iisang tunog lang pag pinakingan nila yung whole EP,” explained leader Pablo. “Parang pag nakinig sila sa EP, the next song will be a different sound from what they have heard doon sa nauna. So parang gusto namin na sumakay sila sa rollercoaster na paibaiba yung mood,”
After fully breaking away from the ‘K-Pop inspired” image of their early stages, the group expressed that this EP allowed them more creative ways of showing their “purely Filipino soul,” as the company allowed them full creative control for “Pag-sibol.” This creates a unique blend of K-Pop’s polished flashiness and the down to earth, more acoustically driven style of Filipino music. Rapper Josh described the experience as “applying what they can to grow” and making it their own.
“We have been working for a Korean company, so pwede mo kaming ikumpara sa call center agent. Nagwo-work sila for other countries but at the same time ang soul namin is purely Filipino,” Josh explained.
Despite achieving global success, even reaching as far as being nominated for the Billboard awards and being part of an interview with the prestigious music magazine, Rolling Stone, the group remains humble when it comes to talking about their success. They state that though they are seen as trailblazers for the genre of P-Pop, they always want to show their “truest selves” on stage no matter what. They also emphasized that for the next generation of P-Pop idols after them, all they want to say is “be proud of who you are.”
“SB19 alone wouldn’t be successful na kami lang,” said Josh. “Kailangan namin ng kasama sa industry na ito. Isa sa mga main goals namin ay magbigay inspiration sa mga bata or sa new generations na gustong sumubok. SB19 alone can’t establish yung pop culture dito sa Pilipinas, kailangan namin yung susunod na generation.”
Released by Sony Music Philippines, SB19’s Pagsibol is now streaming on Spotify and other digital platforms.