SB19

Quick Facts

Photo: SB19 – ‘GENTO’ Music Video

About SB19

Five Trainees and a Long Shot

SB19 began seemingly like an experiment. In 2016, Korean company ShowBT launched a talent search in the Philippines, hoping to build a homegrown group trained with the same discipline behind K-pop’s biggest acts.

The training was famously punishing. Days stretched past nine hours of vocal work, choreography, and conditioning, and several early trainees walked away before the lineup settled into five: Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin.

The group debuted on October 26, 2018 with “Tilaluha,” a heartfelt breakup ballad. Almost nobody noticed. For months the five performed in mall shows to thin crowds, and the project came close to shutting down entirely.

The Dance Practice That Changed Everything

Everything turned in the second half of 2019. A dance practice video for their single “Go Up” spread across Philippine social media, and the clip’s mix of crisp choreography and obvious hunger won the group an army of new believers.

By December 2019, Sony Music Philippines had signed them, and their single “Alab (Burning)” arrived the same day. That month they also became the first Filipino act ever to enter Billboard’s Social 50 chart, eventually climbing all the way to number two.

The milestones kept compounding. In 2021, SB19 became the first Filipino and first Southeast Asian act nominated at the Billboard Music Awards, earning a Top Social Artist nod alongside BTS, Ariana Grande, and Seventeen.

Their music matched the moment. “MAPA,” a tender thank-you letter to parents, became a generational tearjerker and later crossed 100 million views as a lyric video, while the ferocious “Bazinga” spent a record-setting run at number one on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs chart, overtaking BTS’ “Butter” for the longest streak at the top.

Taking Charge: The 1Z Era

In 2023, SB19 opened a new chapter. Their contract with ShowBT Philippines ended, and rather than sign with another agency, the five members chose to manage themselves.

They launched their own company, 1Z Entertainment, on October 1, 2023, with leader Pablo as chief executive. In December of that year, SB19 and ShowBT jointly announced they had reached an amicable agreement through a fair and equitable resolution in relation to the group’s name and brand, and the group carried on under their own banner.

Creatively, the EP Pagtatag! became deeply embedded in this era. Its swaggering lead single “Gento,” became a viral phenomenon that handed the group their first entry on a Billboard sales chart. A world tour followed, later immortalized in Pagtatag! The Documentary, which ran in Philippine cinemas before streaming on Netflix.

Alongside their growing body of work as a group, the members have also built impressive solo careers. Ken produces jaw-dropping, genre-bending solo music as FELIP; Justin crafts magical, soft-focus pop as justin; Pablo excels as a prolific songwriter and produces as a solo artist; Josh built a hip-hop catalog of his own; and Stell’s heavenly voice continues to soar solo and has worked in TV coaching and hosting.

Simula, Wakas, and the World Stage

The years since have played like a victory lap that keeps accelerating. The 2025 EP Simula at Wakas and its single “DAM” gave SB19 their first entry on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100, while the rowdy anthem “DUNGKA!” became an awards-season juggernaut.

That May, they became the first local act to headline and sell out two consecutive nights at the massive Philippine Arena. At the inaugural Filipino Music Awards in October 2025, they swept six trophies, including Artist of the Year.

In March 2026 came Wakas at Simula, a 24-track second studio album that pulled in international collaborators, including Taiwanese pop icon Jolin Tsai on “Emoji” and Japanese group BE:FIRST on “Toyfriend.” The group also teamed up with OPM royalty, releasing “Umaaligid” with Sarah Geronimo in 2025.

The world stage keeps calling. SB19 were announced as the first Filipino act ever booked for Lollapalooza in Chicago, sharing a 2026 bill with Charli XCX, Lorde, and Jennie. Wherever P-pop goes next, the road runs through these five.

Videos

Albums

• Get in the Zone (2020)
• Wakas at Simula (2026)
• Simula at Wakas: Kickoff Concert Album (2026, live album)

EPs

• Pagsibol (2021)
• Pagtatag! (2023)
• Simula at Wakas (2025)

Singles

• Tilaluha (2018)
• Go Up (2019)
• Alab (Burning) (2019)
• Hanggang sa Huli (2020)
• What? (2021)
• MAPA (2021)
• Bazinga (2021)
• Ligaya (2021)
• WYAT (Where You At) (2022)
• Nyebe (2022)
• Gento (2023)
• DAM (2025)
• DUNGKA! (2025)
• Burn the Flame (2025)
• VISA (2026)

Song Collaborations

• MAPA (Band Version) (Ben&Ben – 2021)
• Kabataang Pinoy (BINI and Jonathan Manalo – 2022)
• Golden Hour (SB19 Remix) (JVKE – 2023)
• Moonlight (Ian Asher and Terry Zhong – 2024)
• Ready (apl.de.ap – 2024)
• Kalakal (Gloc-9 – 2024)
• Umaaligid (Sarah Geronimo – 2025)
• Emoji (Jolin Tsai – 2026)
• Toyfriend (BE:FIRST – 2026)

TV

• ASAP Natin ‘To (2019-2025) – recurring performances
• It’s Showtime (2020-2026) – recurring guest performances
• I Can See Your Voice (2020, 2023)
• All-Out Sundays (2021-2025)
• Pinoy Big Brother (2022)
• Family Feud Philippines (2023)
• The Voice Generations (2023) – Stell as coach
• Running Man Philippines (2024) – Josh as guest star
• Pagtatag! The Documentary (2024) – theatrical release, now on Netflix
• The Voice Kids Philippines (2024-2025) – Pablo and Stell as coaches

Awards

Aliw Awards

• People’s Choice Award (2020)

Asia Artist Awards

• Best Artist Award, Singer (2023)
• Hot Trend Award (2023)

Awit Awards

• People’s Voice Favorite Breakthrough Artist of the Year (2020)
• People’s Voice Favorite Song (Hanggang sa Huli – 2021)
• Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (MAPA – 2022)
• Most Streamed Artist (2022)
• Most Streamed Song (MAPA – 2022)
• Best Pop Recording (Bazinga – 2022)
• Best Dance Recording (Bazinga – 2022)
• Best Vocal Arrangement (MAPA – 2022)
• Best Global Recording (What? – 2022)
• Best Dance/Electronic Recording (WYAT (Where You At) – 2023)
• Best Performance by a Group (GENTO – 2024)
• Best Dance/Electronic Recording (GENTO – 2024)
• Best Global Collaboration Recording (Moonlight, with Ian Asher and Terry Zhong – 2025)
• Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording (Kalakal, with Gloc-9 – 2025)
• Best Music Video (Kalakal – 2025)
• Best Cover Art (Kalakal – 2025)

Billboard Korea

• Voices of Asia Award (2024)

Box Office Entertainment Awards

• Promising Recording/Performing Group (2020)
• Most Popular Recording/Performing Group (2024)

BreakTudo Awards

• International Male Group (2023)
• International Male Group (2024)

Filipino Music Awards

• Artist of the Year (2025)
• Pop Song of the Year (DUNGKA! – 2025)
• Concert of the Year (Simula at Wakas World Tour Kickoff – 2025)
• Tour of the Year (Simula at Wakas World Tour – 2025)
• People’s Choice: Artist (2025)
• People’s Choice: Song (DUNGKA! – 2025)

Myx Music Awards

• Song of the Year (Go Up – 2020)
• Artist of the Year (2020)
• New Artist of the Year (2020)
• Artist of the Year (2021)
• Song of the Year (Alab (Burning) – 2021)
• Music Video of the Year (Alab (Burning) – 2021)
• Artist of the Year (2024)
• Music Video of the Year (Moonlight, with Ian Asher and Terry Zhong – 2024)

NCCA SUDI National Music Awards

• SUDI National Music Award, 2022 honoree (conferred 2025)

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards

• Favorite Asian Act (2024)

NYLON Manila Big, Bold, Brave Awards

• Favorite P-pop Group (2021)
• Favorite P-pop Group (2022)
• Favorite P-pop Group (2023)
• Favorite Pop Culture Moment (2024)

PMPC Star Awards for Music

• International Chartbusting Award (2022)
• Song of the Year (MAPA – 14th edition, 2024)
• Album of the Year (Pagsibol – 14th edition, 2024)
• Pop Album of the Year (Pagsibol – 14th edition, 2024)
• Dance Recording of the Year (Bazinga – 14th edition, 2024)
• Music Video of the Year (Bazinga – 14th edition, 2024)
• Duo/Group Artist of the Year (14th edition, 2024)
• Duo/Group Concert of the Year (Our Zone: SB19 Third Anniversary Concert – 14th edition, 2024)
• Music Video of the Year (WYAT (Where You At) – 15th edition, 2024)
• Song of the Year (GENTO – 16th edition, 2024)
• Album of the Year (Pagtatag! – 16th edition, 2024)
• Dance Recording of the Year (GENTO – 16th edition, 2024)
• Duo/Group Concert Performer of the Year (Pagtatag! World Tour Manila – 16th edition, 2024)
• Music Video of the Year (Kalakal, with Gloc-9 – 2026)
• Concert of the Year (Pagtatag! World Tour Manila – 2026)
• Duo/Group Concert of the Year (Pagtatag! World Tour Manila – 2026)
• Playtime Fan Favorite Award (2026)

PPOP Music Awards

• Philippine Pop Boy Group of the Year (2022)
• Philippine Pop Icon of the Year (2022)
• Philippine Pop Top Global Artist of the Year (2023)
• P-Pop Icon Award (2024)
• Artist of the Year (2025)
• Album of the Year (Simula at Wakas – 2025)
• Song of the Year (DUNGKA! – 2025)
• Music Video of the Year (DAM – 2025)
• Collaboration of the Year (Umaaligid, with Sarah Geronimo – 2025)
• Concert of the Year (Simula at Wakas Kickoff at the Philippine Arena – 2025)
• Best Choreography in a Live Performance (DUNGKA! – 2025)
• PPOP Favorite Group of the Year (2025)
• PPOP Favorite Fandom of the Year (A’TIN – 2025)

RAWR Awards

• Favorite Group of the Year (2019)
• Favorite Group (2020)
• Favorite Performer (2020)
• Breakthrough Artist of the Year (2020)
• Song of the Year (Alab – 2020)

TikTok Awards Philippines

• Top Celebrity Award (2021)
• P-pop Group of the Year (2022)
• Filipino Song of the Year (Gento – 2023)

Village Pipol Choice Awards

• Group Performer of the Year, won in three consecutive editions (the first grand slam of the category in VPCA history)

Wish 107.5 Music Awards

• Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year (Go Up – 2020)
• Wish Breakthrough Artist of the Year (2020)
• Wish Pop Song of the Year (Love Goes – 2021)
• Wish Group of the Year (2021)
• Wishers’ Choice Award (2021)
• Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year (Ikako – 2022)
• Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year (Hanggang sa Huli – 2022)
• Wish Pop Song of the Year (What? – 2022)
• Wish Group of the Year (2022)
• Wishers’ Choice Award (2022)
• Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year (Bazinga – 2023)
• Wish Pop Song of the Year (WYAT (Where You At) – 2023)
• Wish Group of the Year (2023)
• Wishers’ Choice Award (2023)
• Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year (GENTO – 2024)
• Wishclusive R&B Performance of the Year (I Want You – 2024)
• Wish Group of the Year (2024)
• Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year (Ilaw – 2025)
• Wish Song Collaboration of the Year (Kalakal, with Gloc-9 – 2025)
• Wishclusive Pop Performance of the Year (DAM – 2026)
• Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year (Time – 2026)
• Wish Pop Song of the Year (DUNGKA! – 2026)
• Wish Song Collaboration of the Year (Umaaligid, with Sarah Geronimo – 2026)
• Wishers’ Choice Award (2026)

Nominations

Aliw Awards

• Best Collaboration in a Concert (Pagtatag! World Tour Finale – 2024)

Awit Awards

• Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (Hanggang sa Huli – 2021)
• Best Music Video (Alab (Burning) – 2021)
• Song of the Year (MAPA – 2022)
• Album of the Year (Pagsibol – 2022)
• Record of the Year (MAPA (Band Version), with Ben&Ben – 2022)
• Best Collaboration (MAPA (Band Version), with Ben&Ben – 2022)
• Song of the Year (2023)
• Best Performance by a Group Recording Artist (2023)
• Best Collaboration (2023)
• Music Video of the Year (2023)
• Best Ballad Recording (2023)
• Best Vocal Arrangement (2023)
• Album of the Year (Pagtatag! – 2024)
• Record of the Year (GENTO – 2024)
• Song of the Year (GENTO – 2024)
• Best Pop Recording (GENTO – 2024)
• Best Music Video (GENTO – 2024)
• Best Music Video (I Want You – 2024)
• Best Dance/Electronic Recording (Crimzone – 2024)
• Best Ballad Recording (Liham – 2024)
• Best Engineered Recording (I Want You – 2024)
• Best Global Collaboration Recording (Golden Hour (SB19 Remix), with JVKE – 2024)

Billboard Music Awards

• Top Social Artist (2021) – the first Filipino and first Southeast Asian act nominated at the BBMAs

BreakTudo Awards

• International Music Video (Moonlight, with Ian Asher and Terry Zhong – 2024)

Filipino Music Awards

• Album of the Year (Simula at Wakas – 2025)
• Song of the Year (DAM – 2025)
• Pop Song of the Year (Umaaligid, with Sarah Geronimo – 2025)

MTV Europe Music Awards

• Best Southeast Asia Act (2021)

Music Awards Japan

• Oshikatsu Request of the Year (2025) – the first Filipino act nominated at the ceremony

PMPC Star Awards for Music

• New Group Artist of the Year (2020)
• Duo/Group Artist of the Year (2021)
• Music Video of the Year (2022)
• Concert of the Year (WYAT (Where You At) Tour – 15th edition, 2024)
• Duo/Group Concert Performer of the Year (15th edition, 2024)
• Duo/Group Artist of the Year (16th edition, 2024)

PPOP Music Awards

• Song of the Year (Moonlight – 2024)
• Collaboration of the Year (Kalakal, with Gloc-9 – 2024)
• Concert of the Year (Pagtatag! World Tour – 2024)

Wish 107.5 Music Awards

• Wish Group of the Year (2025)
• Wish Group of the Year (2026)

Perspective

SB19’s work is filled with echoes of the past, and glimpses of five people perhaps repaying a debt to their younger selves. Every immaculate formation and every gang vocal carries the memory of the empty mall shows where nobody clapped. That is what makes their music hit so hard: the polish of a world-class pop act, powered by the hunger and hard work of a group that was once one bad month from giving up.

Today, after a long and difficult climb to the top, these five, nearing legendary status, truly embody the power of Kings.

Praise for the Artist

Whatever I saw surpassed everything I expected. There was entertainment, dance, music, messages, laughter, and tears. But it was really all heart and soul poured out by five young men known as SB19 who electrified the atmosphere and simply were remarkable and outstanding

– Gary Valenciano
Gary Valenciano commends SB19’s ‘Simula at Wakas’ concert: ‘You touched our hearts’
ABS-CBN

I really admire their passion for music and performance. The style and choreography of ‘Emoji’ are something I haven’t explored before and I had so much fun working with them on this track.

– Jolin Tsai
SB19 Extend P-Pop’s Global Story With 2nd Full Album ‘Wakas At Simula’
Forbes

SB19 is the Philippines’ undeniable breakout pop group, but as their latest single and tour put them in a position for greater international attention, the band has a grander vision for themselves and their home country.

– Jeff Benjamin
SB19 Is Eyeing the Global-Pop Market & Bringing the Philippines Along
Billboard

Contact

• facebook.com/SB19Official
• x.com/SB19Official
• instagram.com/officialsb19
• youtube.com/SB19 Official
• tiktok.com/@officialsb19

Bookings

• 1Z Entertainment

Listen

• Spotify – SB19
• Apple Music – SB19

Apple Music

On Instagram

Trivia

• The name is a code. “SB” stands for Sound Break, while 19 comes from adding the digits of the Philippine and South Korean country codes: 6 plus 3 plus 8 plus 2 (a nod to the group’s origin story).
• Their fandom name A’TIN is pronounced “eighteen.” Just as 18 comes before 19, the fans come before SB19, and it also puns on the Filipino word “atin,” meaning “ours.”
• Fans affectionately call the five members MAHALIMA, a mashup of mahal (love) and lima (five), a nickname that came to be in their early years, and became widely used by fans after the members temporarily dropped “SB19” from their Instagram handles.
• SB19 crossed into video games in 2025 when SNK’s fighting game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves released an official collaboration music video built around “DUNGKA!”
• McDonald’s Philippines held its first-ever artist fan meet for SB19, hosting 400 lucky A’TIN in September 2024.
• Their Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award came with the classic rite of passage: the members were doused in green slime when the trophy was handed over in Manila.

Posted: July 18, 2026