From being a YouTube sensation to becoming an OPM boy group, 1:43 (pronounced as “one forty three”) is slowly making its way up to stardom by releasing its third album.
In a recent interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Yuki, Anjo, Gold, and Argee describe what makes them stand out from other artists.
Technically, 1:43 is a K-pop group but by their own definition, K-pop music means "Kalye-pop," a mix of different genres that aims to cater to Filipino music enthusiasts.
“K-pop, pero ano yun, e, 'Kalye pop' [ang] ibig sabihin. Marami nagsasabi na K-pop kami, [pero] ginawa naming Kalye pop," says Anjo.
"Yung 'Kalye pop' kasi parang ano yan, e, parang gusto namin yung mga kanta namin nakakanta ng kahit na sino.
“Kahit na masang Pilipino, lahat may masasabayan. Yung mga tambay lang, kahit na sino ka pa, pwedeng masabayan, masi-sing along ng mga Pilipino rin.
"So para siyang ano, kung pwede naming icompare siguro parang music ng Parokya [ni Edgar], na parang yung mga ganun, Eraserheads, mga ganyan. Lahat ng kahit na sino alam yan, e, na kinakanta kahit saan mapa-kung sino ka pa.
"So yun rin yung dream namin sa next album namin na lahat ng tao makaka-relate."
"HAYOP SA GANDA." 1:43 gained popularity after releasing its sophomore album Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, which contains the popular single of the same title. This song gave the band members their big break and was even used the official soundtrack of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4.
The band members are hopeful that their third album will be just as successful.
Gold explains, "Iba-ibang genre din, may pop rock, may dance, may novelty. So ganun yung atake namin dito sa album.
“Hopefully yata this month matatapos na yung album namin. Dalawa na lang kasi yung kulang sa album, ire-record namin yata yung dalawa this week. So siguro by two weeks, three weeks tapos na."
When asked what their fans can expect from the third album, the members of 1:43 proudly reveal that this new album will contain original songs that they composed themselves.
Gold emphasizes, "Kami lang talaga, original lang talaga. Plano talaga namin original lang muna ngayon.
“Bale, si Yuki po yung nagco-compose, minsan kasi kanya-kanyang trip lang din, e. Kung saang part mo gusto, saka minsan bigayan."
Part of the third album is 1:43's newest hit, "Hayop sa Ganda," which not only dominates airwaves but also cyberspace because of catchy lyrics and entertaining music video that features popular gay celebrities Negi Negra and Miss International Queen 2013, Kevin Balot.
The band's sophomore album, Sa Isang Sulyap Mo, is still available in local music stores nationwide.