As P-pop fans fiercely debate who and what it was that sparked the genre's rise, SB19 remains unbothered.
While its all-female counterpart BINI—both groups have openly expressed mutual admiration of each other's contributions to the scene—commands headlines with a finely tuned PR machine amplifying its success, SB19 quietly stands by the sidelines, unfazed by the buzz.
But make no mistake, the boys aren’t resting on their laurels.
In fact, 2024 has been a banner year for Josh, Pablo, Stell, Ken, and Justin.
The group has been racking up awards locally and internationally, recently clinching the International Male Group prize at Brazil's BreakTudo Awards.
SB19 edged out other boy bands like Seventeen, Stray Kids, and TXT, among others, to take home the award, proving the group's international appeal alongside fellow Filipino groups BINI and BGYO.
Without doubt, SB19 has come a long way since its very modest beginnings in 2016, when its members underwent rigorous training under the South Korean entertainment company ShowBT Philippines.
The all-male band made its debut in 2018 with the release of its first single "Tilaluha," but struggled to find its footing in the cutthroat, ever-evolving music industry.
The following year, 2019, SB19 had a breakout year with its viral social media hit, "Go Up"; and since then has consistently gone on to make history, cementing its status as a trailblazer in the P-pop industry.
Read: SB19: The future of P-pop is here
In 2020, the SB19 boys became the first and only Filipino artists to rank in Billboard’s Top Social 50 Artists chart.
With chart-topping hits like “Bazinga” and “Gento,” they also left their mark on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, climbed to No. 6 on the Next Big Sound chart, and reached No. 8 on the World Digital Songs Sales chart.
NEW SONG RELEASES IN 2024
SB19 kept fans hooked with three noteworthy singles, each a collaboration with esteemed artists that the group admired.
In May 2024, SB19 dropped the dance-pop track, "Moonlight," a collaboration with American record producer Ian Asher and Chinese record producer Terry Zhong.
The song's music video was directed by Kerbs Balagtas, whose other works include BINI's "Salamin, Salamin" and Maris Racal's "Carelessly."
"Salamin, Salamin" went on to win the Music Video of the Year award at the MYX Music Awards 2024 held in November 21.
In June, SB19 unveiled “Ready,” its much-anticipated collaboration with Black Eyed Peas singer-rapper Apl.de.Ap, which came with a music video.
In August, SB19 released the single "Kalakal" in collaboration with hit rapper Gloc-9.
In 2024, the boys, still with SB19, ventured into solo music careers.
Pablo dropped three tracks: "Edsa," "Determinado," and "Akala."
Josh released the songs "Get Right" and "Yoko Na."
Ken, under his solo moniker Felip, unveiled "Fake Faces" along with his debut album, "7Sins."
Justin introduced "Kaibigan" and "Surreal" to his audience.
And Stell launched his first extended play album, Room.
WINNING AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
By the time you read this, SB19 would have collected more awards over the past ten months, with even more expected before 2024 ends, as several nominations still await final results.
Internationally, they've earned the Voices of Asia Award from the Billboard Korean Power 100 and the Favorite Asian Act at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
Read: SB19 gets landslide win at Billboard Fan Army Face-Off 2024
On August 27, 2024 in Seoul, Josh, accepting the trophy at the Billboard Korean Power 100 awarding ceremony, said: “This milestone belongs not just to us, but to the entire P-pop movement, OPM, and of course, everyone sharing Filipino creativity across Asia and the world."
Read: SB19 gets landslide win at Billboard Fan Army Face-Off 2024
Pablo remarked, "To every Filipino artist, creative, and to the music legends before us: you inspire us to keep growing and to excel without losing heart.
“This award represents the P-pop community’s mission and that is to bring Filipino artistry to the global stage, starting right here in Asia."
On home soil, SB19 dominated the Nylon Manila Big Bold Brave Awards, winning Favorite P-pop Group, Favorite Pop Culture Moment, and the Gen-Z Approved Hit for “Gento.”
It also triumphed at the PMPC Star Awards for Music, bagging multiple honors, including Duo/Group Concert Performer of the Year and Concert of the Year for their Pagtatag! World Tour.
The Box Office Entertainment Awards awarded SB19 with the Most Popular Recording/Performing Group award.
At the Wish 107.5 Awards, SB19 was named Group of the Year, and its performances of “I Want You” and “Gento” earned Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year and Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year, respectively.
Capping off these achievements, the group shone at the recently concluded MYX Music Awards, taking home Music Video of the Year for “Moonlight” and the coveted Artist of the Year trophy.
CONQUERING THE STAGE AND THE SCREENS
The year 2024 marked the conclusion of the group's second world tour, Pagtatag!, which took the boys to different parts of the Philippines and various cities overseas, particularly in the U.S., Canada, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates.
Pagtatag! kicked off on June 24, 2023, and wrapped up on May 19, 2024, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum before a jam-packed crowd.
Read: Highlights of SB19's PAGTATAG! Finale concert
A movie titled Pagtatag!: The Documentary, featuring behind-the-scenes footage and clips taken at the concerts during their world tour, was released in cinemas on August 28, 2024.
Billboard Philippines describes the documentary as "satisfying" and "emotional," despite a commentary on its "lack of cinematic feel" and "rushed" execution.
On September 2, 2024, the group posted on Instagram that Pagtatag!: The Documentary made history as the "highest-grossing Filipino documentary film to date."
The film reportedly earned a total of $365,214 worldwide, equivalent to over 21 million Philippine pesos.
Beyond Pagtatag! SB19 also graced several live shows this year organized by corporate brands Puregold, Acer, Pepsi, Xiaomi, and Watsons.
It also performed in festivals like the Aurora Music Festival in Mabalacat in April and the Pistang Pinoy sa Korea staged in June.
SB19 also took to the stage in Busan, South Korea, for the Wish South Korea: The Unveiling, the Binibining Pilipinas 2024 pageant, and the Billboard K Power 100 in Seoul, to name some appearances.
In addition to concert stages, the boys have extended their presence to television, making appearances on GMA-7's All Out Sundays. Some of their standout TV moments took place on It's Showtime, where they joined Vice Ganda's team for the show's annual Magpasikat competition. Stell and Pablo were also selected as coaches for GMA-7's The Voice Kids Philippines.
Internationally, SB19 has appeared on the Taiwan TV show Atom Boyz II. The all-male band also reached a milestone when it became the first Filipino act and Southeast Asian group to perform on the Japanese YouTube channel The First Take.
SB19 AS BRAND AMBASSADORS AND INFLUENCERS
Like many celebrities with flourishing careers, the SB19 boys have successfully crossed over from music to other media platforms, both traditional and modern.
Seizing the moment, they eagerly graced the pages of prominent magazines such as Preview, Billboard Philippines, MEGA, and Esquire, which meant more exposure for the P-pop titans.
As the hottest ticket in town, the boys also caught the attention of brands and corporations, making them highly sought-after endorsers.
The group has leveraged its growing fame to accept endorsement deals, representing big-name brands like Lucky Me, Pepsi, GCash, Puregold, Xiaomi, Selecta, Acer, Dunkin', and fast-food giant McDonald's.
SB19's social media accounts, now lucrative platforms for artists to collaborate with brands, have also become a significant financial asset for the group.
Estimates suggest that the group charges over Php 3 million for brand postings or mentions on TikTok alone, approximately Php 2 million on Facebook, and around Php 1 million on Instagram.
These figures apply to social media alone, as the group's talent fees for guest appearances and performances come with separate and undoubtedly heftier price tags.
Read: Bini, SB19 panalo sa concert attendance; milyones na ang TF?
It’s also worth noting that the SB19 guys manage themselves through their own company, 1Z Entertainment. This means that the group members are likely enjoying the lion’s share of profits from any SB19-related ventures.
Of course, running their own ship has not been easy, as Josh shared with Philstar.com last September.
“Mahirap po na mga artists din po kami tapos kami rin yung may-ari, so parang parati siyang conflict,” admitted Josh.
“Sometimes, we have to determine if we are currently wearing the management hat or the artist hat.
“Maraming pagtatalo pero, I think, yun yung nagpapa-grow sa amin."
No one can say for certain how long the P-pop bubble will last.
Some suggest that the SB19 members’ solo projects are a way for the boys to test the waters, should they ever find themselves contemplating a future apart.
Read:
- Versatile, edgy: Felip shows mettle in 7sins album concert
- SB19 Pablo surprised by offer to join The Voice Kids as coach
- JulieXStell: Ang Ating Tinig, a collaboration to look forward to
No matter what the future holds, SB19 is leaving its mark. It is not easy to reign supreme in the P-pop kingdom, work out your legacy, and aim to inspire another generation of OPM artists.
But, hey, SB19 is doing it. Right here and now.
Who will bag the title of Social Media Superstars at PEP.ph's Most Influential in Entertainment 2024? The reveal happens on December 6, 2024.
Read:
PEP Most Influential in Entertainment 2024: How it took shape
PEP Most Influential OPM Superstars: SB19
PEP Most Influential P-pop Phenomenon: BINI
PEP Most Influential 2024 Social Media Superstar: ESNYR
PEP Most Influential 2024 Social Media Superstar: Niana Guerrero
PEP Most Influential 2024 Ultimate Love Team: DonBelle
PEP Most Influential 2024 Ultimate Queen: Pia Wurtzbach
PEP Most Influential 2024 Most In-Demand Endorser: Joshua Garcia
PEP Most Influential 2024 Most In-Demand Endorser: Heart Evangelista
PEP Most Influential 2024 TV Royalty: Bea Alonzo
PEP Most Influential 2024 Sure Bet: Kathryn Bernardo
PEP Most Influential 2024 Sure Bet: Alden Richards
PEP Most Influential 2024 Box-Office Royalty: Marian Rivera
PEP Most Influential 2024 Box-Office Royalty: Dingdong Dantes