A momentum that refuses to slow, SB19 are stepping into a new global phase.
With their March 27, 2026 album Wakas at Simula, the group expands both sound and scope. The record includes “Toyfriend,” a cross-border collaboration with BE:FIRST, while their growing international presence is underscored by upcoming appearances at Lollapalooza in the United States and SUMMER SONIC. What once felt like a regional breakthrough now reads as something far larger: a movement gathering global force.
At the center of it all is a radical sense of ownership. Through their independent label 1Z Entertainment, SB19 have committed fully to self-production, shaping everything from songwriting to visual direction on their own terms. It’s a creative stance that feels less like strategy and more like conviction.
Emerging from the Philippines — a nation of more than 7,000 islands and over 180 languages — the five members continue to redefine what P-POP can be. In this interview, they unpack the ideas behind their latest work, from humor-laced critiques of social structures to a deeply held resolve to cut through the noise and remain unapologetically themselves. Five distinct voices, one unified vision—this is where SB19 stand now.
INDEX
Five Distinct Identities, One Unified Vision
Self-Production at the Core of SB19’s Sound
First, how would you describe SB19 as a group?
Pablo: We’re a unique group made up of five individuals, each with a distinct personality. When we create music, we bring our own “ingredients” — our styles, perspectives, and individuality — and blend them together. That’s what allows us to create something rich, something that only SB19 can make.
A five-member boy group from the Philippines, consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin. As pioneers of P-Pop, they have helped propel the genre onto the global stage, selling out tours around the world. In March 2026, they performed at D.U.N.K. Showcase in K-Arena Yokohama 2026, where they showcased their collaboration track “Toyfriend” with BE:FIRST.
Looking ahead, SB19 are set to appear at major international festivals including SUMMER SONIC and Lollapalooza in 2026. On March 27, they also released their latest album Wakas at Simula, which features the aforementioned collaboration track.
Pablo, as the central figure in producing your music, what do you keep in mind when it comes to valuing each member’s individuality and style as “ingredients”?
Pablo: When it comes to vocals, I seriously think about who can best express and deliver the message of each part of the song. The five of us all have different vocal ranges, so I write with each member in mind. Like, “This is a low register part, so Ken,” or “This would suit a higher range, maybe Stell,” or “This section has a playful feel, so maybe Josh or me.”
Josh: Pablo is a natural-born storyteller. He’s been writing poetry for as long as I’ve known him, and I think he even used to write something like novels. When we first met, I honestly thought he was a bit unusual — but the longer we’ve spent together, the more I’ve come to understand him. He’s incredibly good at putting everything in his head into words. That’s one of his biggest strengths.
Pablo: That’s why I’m the best [laughs].
That said, building a career as self-produced artists can’t be easy.
Pablo: Self-production just felt like the most natural way to express what SB19 is. Back when we were trainees, the only formal guidance we really received was on stage presentation. Everything else—how to sing, how to dance, even how to approach recording—we had to learn on our own, or teach each other. Because of that, we’ve always valued our own experiences and our way of doing things.
In the past, we were involved in almost every aspect of production ourselves—members would create choreography, direct music videos, and handle much of the creative process. So even now, whenever we’re working on a new song or putting something out into the world, we always start by coming together as a group and building a solid foundation on our own. From there, we collaborate with a team who truly understands us, and together we elevate it into something even better.
Hikaru Utada, ONE OK ROCK, Fujii Kaze
Japanese Artists Who Shaped Their Sound
When it comes to self-production, are there any artists who have influenced you?
Pablo: There are so many incredible artists and works out there in the world. Personally, I’ve been watching a lot of theater and films lately, and even when they’re not directly related to music, I find inspiration in those forms of art. If you take a moment to pause and really look at the beautiful and meaningful things around you, there’s always something to take away from them.
Stell: Sometimes we also draw inspiration from our own past experiences. But since we’re a group of five, and each of us sees the world differently, it really depends on the situation.
By the way, are there any Japanese artists who have influenced you?
Pablo: Definitely ONE OK ROCK. They were my favorite band back in high school and college. Songs like “Be the light” and “Wherever you are” are so powerful — they really lift you up.
Josh: I’d say Hikaru Utada. They’ve worked on so many original soundtracks, right?
Ken: For me, it’s WANDS! We really love Japanese bands and Japanese music in general.
Justin: For me, it’s RADWIMPS. I first heard their music through Your Name., and I instantly thought it was amazing.
Pablo: It’s such a great film, right?
Stell: I often listen to Fujii Kaze when I’m driving. Every time I hear his music, it brings back memories of when I used to live in Ehime, so I really love it.
While you clearly value diverse influences and individuality, you also seem to have a strong awareness of the global market. Is there anything you consciously do to balance your own identity with a global outlook?
Pablo: The global market… honestly, it’s not something we think about that much. I believe that the most important thing in truly communicating with people is being honest with yourself. If we put out something real, it will reach people — it will feel authentic. And I think listeners will connect with our music and see parts of themselves in it.
So we don’t really focus on things like “global sounds” or trying to figure out how to appeal to everyone. What matters is what we, as a group, are seeking, and who we are as individuals. That’s how we create music that feels real.
Josh: At the end of the day, we all have different tastes. But I still believe that if you approach anything with conviction and give it your all, there will always be people out there who will find you.
