Get ready, world! The multi-talented pop artists in the Philippines rise rapidly and boldly towards dominating a game-changing genre in the global music scene.
Did you know that P-pop groups are garnering significant attention and making waves locally and globally with their music brand nowadays?
Yes, that’s right, as the genre of P-pop is becoming more appealing to Filipino audiences, it is also rapidly entering the global music market with Pinoy boy bands and female groups unraveling their own identity.
Let’s get to know some of the established, rising, and promising groups in the Philippines who have accelerated the recent boom of P-pop:
SB19
SB19, known as the “Kings of P-Pop”, paved the way for the cultural revival and boost of P-pop, raising the bar high on championing the global stage with their original brand on sounds, storylines, and powerful live performances.
Besides making “Mapa” and “Gento” a global hit, SB19 are also widely recognized as “live vocal monsters”. ILAW is one of their ballad tracks that showcases their vocal power and astounding harmonization skills. The song was composed by the band’s leader PABLO and reflects about one’s authenticity and struggles to be heard when the light around you becomes too blinding or overwhelming. [Video: Wish 107.5 Official YouTube]
So far, they have achieved 58 wins out of 104 nominations, including “People’s Choice Award” at the 2020 Aliw Awards, “Favorite Breakthrough of the Year” at the 2020 Awit Awards, as well as “Best Artist Award” and “Hot Trend Award” at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, and many to mention. They were also appointed as ambassadors for Youth and Sentro Rizal by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2021.
Considered game-changers in the Filipino music scene, it’s unknown to many that SB19 were self-taught in terms of singing, rapping, dancing, songwriting, recording, and producing music. They helped each other as brothers hone their skills and worked together to achieve their vision. Although they were first managed by a Korean company based in the Philippines, most of the training they received from the agency was for personality development, as revealed by PABLO in an interview.
SB19 made history as the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act to be nominated in US Billboard’s Social Artist Awards and hit the charts for weeks, the first P-pop to be nominated in Nickelodeon’s Favourite Asian Act, the first Filipino act to perform a song in one take on the acclaimed Japanese YouTube channel, “The First Take”, and the only Filipino act on the list of Favorite Boy Bands of All Time by Teen Vogue.
SB19 is in a league of their own and the group continues to flourish, reaping their phenomenal successes amid the rise of newer groups, managing their own established company named 1Z Entertainment, and achieving new milestones with their music style as solo artists. They’re also in the process of forming and training their own girl group.
Here are ten more things you probably didn’t know about SB19 and the reasons why this iconic boy band attracts thousands of fans and receives immense love across the globe: Click here
G22
Hailed as the “Female Alphas of P-Pop”, G22 is a rising girl group who attracts attention for their undeniable package of outstanding visuals and dynamic vocals.
G22 wowed audiences during their guesting on “Show It All”, a Chinese reality show, flaunting their vocal power and electrifying stage presence with their single, BOOMERANG.
A three-member girl group under the management of Cornerstone Entertainment that debuted in 2022. They won the Rising P-Pop Group of the Year at the 2022 Asia Pinaccle Awards and P-pop Group of the Year at the 2023 Saludo Excellence Awards.
BINI
Dubbed as the “Nation’s Girl Group”, BINI is a new generation of girl power who brings something fresh and vibrant with their polished productions, riding the wave of POPularity towards the global music scene.
CHERRY ON TOP is BINI’s latest bubblegum pop track that showcases the overall uniqueness and charm of the group. It was released on July 11th and grew rapidly in millions of views on YouTube in less than 24 hours.
An eight-member girl group that was formed through ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy, they underwent two years of training with the assistance of South Korean coaches from MU Doctor Academy and Filipino mentors. They released a pre-debut single, “Da Coconut Nut” late in 2020 before making their official debut in 2021.
So far, they have achieved 14 wins out of 37 nominations, including “Outstanding Female Group of the Year” at the 2022 Diamond Excellence Awards, “P-pop Icon of the Year” at the 2022 P-Pop Awards, “P-Pop Group of the Year” at the 2022 TikTok Awards Philippines, “National Outstanding P-pop Female Group of the Year” at the 2024 Excellent Filipino Awards, and more.
BINI made history as the first artist to be honored the “Women in Music: Rising Star Award” by Billboard Philippines, the first Filipino artist to grab the top spot on Spotify’s Daily Top Artists Philippines chart, and the first P-pop group to achieve the most monthly listeners on Spotify. Teen Vogue also mentioned them as one of the twelve girl groups to watch in 2024.
After a successful 3-day concert at the New Frontier Theater in June 2024, BINI is set to hold their first big concert at the Araneta Coliseum called, The Grand BINIverse, on October 4th.
ALAMAT
ALAMAT is known for their distinct identity in the P-pop scene, making a mark as the first multilingual and multiethnic boy band that performs their songs in various Philippine languages and creates content based on Filipino culture.
MAHARANI is Alamat’s single track on the theme of romance that reimagines folktale, mixing indigenous instruments with modern elements and sounds.
A six-member boy band that sings, raps, and dances, managed by VIVA Artist and Ninuno Media. The members hailed from different parts or provinces of the country and are known to sing in seven local languages such as Ilocano, Kapampangan, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Waray, and Tagalog. They are also known to write their songs and produce their own music.
Alamat made history as the second P-pop group to achieve a spot on the Billboard chart and debut at no. 2 on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart.
1ST.ONE
Labeled as “the new kids on the block”, Ist.One are known for their cool image, unique energy, awesome dance skills, enchanting melody, and quality music videos.
SHOUT OUT is 1st.One’s single that intends to pay tribute to the Filipino soldiers who fought alongside Korean soldiers during the Korean War in the 1950s.
A six-member boy band who underwent three years of training and debuted in 2020 under First One Entertainment, a Seoul-based company. Their single, “Problem Child” is known to be the highest budget P-pop music video worth P20 million early in 2023.
Before their official debut, they won first place in the dance category at the 2019 Philippine-Korea Cultural Exchange Festival and announced as the grand winner of Dance To Your Seoul competition at the 2019 Seoul Music Awards.
1st.One made history as the first Pinoy boy band to perform at the Seoul Music Awards in 2020 and the second Filipino act to make it to Billboard’s Hot Trending Song chart.
So far, they have achieved the “P-pop Group of the Year” at the 2021 P-Pop Best Chart Awards and “Live Performance of the Year” at the 2022 PPOP Awards.
HORI7ON
Labeled as “Global Rookies”, Hori7on is the first-ever Pinoy boy band to debut in South Korea with their music style combined with K-pop and P-pop, and songs written in Filipino, Korean, and English.
LUCKY is Hori7on’s single track that aims emphasis on feeling lucky to have their loved ones and fans.
A seven-member Filipino boy band that is based in South Korea under MLD Entertainment, but was first formed through ABS-CBN’s survival show, “Dream Maker: The Search For The Next Global Pop Group”. They were trained by ABS CBN Talent and KAMP Korea before they debuted in 2023.
Hori7on made history as the first P-pop to perform in South Korea’s major shows such as KBS Music Bank, SBS Inkigayo, Mnet M Countdown, and MBC Show! Music Core.
So far, they have achieved “Top Global Artist of the Year” at the 2023 PPOP Awards, “Focus Award” at the 2023 Asia Artist Awards, and “Fearless Global Filipino” at the 2024 Nylon Manila Big Bold Brave Awards. They were also honored with the “Popular Culture Award: Overseas Rising Star” at the 2023 Korea Hallyu Awards.
BGYO
Known as the “Aces of P-Pop”, BGYO has redefined what it means to be a Pinoy boy band with their music and style that focus on Filipino youth and relevant social issues.
BGYO’s single, HE’S INTO HER, was selected as one of the official soundtrack of a Pinoy teen romantic-comedy series of the same title in 2021. It also won the “Best Theme Song” at the 2021 Asian Academy Creative Awards.
A five-member boy band that was formed through ABS-CBN’s Star Hunt Academy in 2018 and debuted under Star Magic in 2021. Trained for two years by Filipino and South Korean coaches from MU Doctor Company, their sounds are known to be electronic dance beats with their songs revolving around the themes of empowerment, hope, and love mostly written by the members.
BGYO made history for staying the longest on the top on iTunes Philippines Top 100 Albums chart with their album “The Light” and for being featured in the list of Grammy’s “The Many Sounds of Asian Pop” in 2023.
So far, they have achieved the “People’s Voice Favorite Group Artist” at the 2021 Awit Awards, “P-Pop Boy Group of the Year” at the 2021 P-Pop Awards, “Best Male Group” at the 2021 Saludo Excellence Awards, and “P-Pop Group of the Year” at the 2022 TikTok Awards Philippines, and more.
VXON
Dubbed as “the monsters of P-pop”, VXON envisions to to offer something new with their music and solidify their main sound being “kalye sound”.
THE BEAST is VXON’s debut single that is heavily influenced by hip hop with a dark concept. It took the no. 1 spot on iTunes, Spotify Fresh Finds, and OPM Rising Playlist during its launch week.
VXON is a five-member boy band that debuted in 2022 under the management of Cornerstone Entertainment and trained by the best in the industry.
They have participated in several events locally and internationally, performed in various festivals, held their own concerts, and been featured in magazines. So far, they have achieved the “Band of the Year” at the 2022 TAG Awards Chicago, “Favorite Rookie P-Pop Group” at the 2023 Nylon Manila’s Big, Bold, and Brave Awards, “Best Male Pop Group” at the 2023 Philippines Choice Awards from Saludo Excellence Awards, and more.
DIONE
A four-member girl group that debuted in 2022 under the management of First One Entertainment that “comprises well-rounded artists with a singing, dancing, and rapping talent”.
BLING BLING is DIONE’s single upbeat pop track that empowers listeners to pursue their dreams amid life’s challenges.
KAIA
A five-member girl group that debuted in 2022 under ShowBT Philippines and “takes inspiration from their inner character and the strength they find in overcoming challenges”. They won the “P-Pop Girl Group of the Year” at the 2023 P-POP Awards.
KAYA is KAIA’s pre-debut single that talks about self-empowerment with an electro-pop feel. It also introduces their vocals and dance ability.
More promising P-pop groups are emerging nowadays and more will be produced in the future as the trend is on the rise and audiences, both local and international, anticipate with fresh eyes.
These P-pop groups, both new and established, may differ in style and themes, but they share the common goal of breaking boundaries to make Filipino talents known to the world, and that’s awesome.
If enormously lent support or championed by the government as part of the economic development strategies, P-pop’s expansion will not only boost the Filipino music industry but definitely contribute largely to the country’s economy as well. And if P-pop groups and P-pop fandoms passionately unite as one and uplift one another, working for the same goal and striving to reach a destination, the Filipino music on the global scene will absolutely see an explosion.
Break a leg, P-POP!
Research and write-up: KORB Blog Team | Cover photos: G22 Official, SB19 Official, The First Take, BINI Official via Instagram
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