SB19 steps confidently into the world with 'Wakas at Simula' album

SB19 is no stranger to collaborating with other artists, both local and international. Before "Wakas at Simula," their collaborations were released as singles and not included in their EPs.

But as they close off this trilogy era and step into their next chapter, SB19 is embracing going global. Their upcoming album includes two collaboration tracks: "Toyfriend" featuring the Japanese group Be:First and "Emoji" featuring JOLIN.

The choice of artists to work with perfectly aligns with the path SB19 is taking to reach new audiences. Be:First is a rapidly rising boy group from Japan, the second biggest music market in the world. JOLIN is the Queen of C-pop and a household name among Mandarin speakers, another large demographic that numbers around a billion people.

"Tina-target po talaga namin 'yung going global para ipakita kung ano 'yung meron ang mga Filipinos. So, I'm just so happy na itong mga opportunities na ganito dumarating siya sa amin. Hindi naman po siya madali talaga dumarating and talagang bibihira 'yung mga ganitong klaseng opportunity," Pablo said in the media launch for "Wakas at Simula" on Monday.

SB19 worked hard to create those opportunities for themselves, winning over new fans one stage at a time. Their Simula at Wakas world tour included stops in Japan and Mandarin-speaking Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

In Taiwan, they performed at the Hito Music Awards last year and appeared in the Taiwanese show "Atom Boyz" in 2024. In Japan, they performed at the DUNK Showcase earlier this March and appeared in the Japanese YouTube channel The First Take four times.

And this year, they are set to perform at the Lollapalooza in Chicago, one of the biggest music festivals in the world.

"Sabi nga po ni Josh eh ever since we started our career as artists, parang 'yun talaga 'yung pinaghahandaan namin. Itong moment na 'to na makapagperform sa Lollapalooza and show them how talented Filipinos are," Pablo said.

"S'yempre may mga pakulo kami pagdating sa music na ipe-perform namin dun. S'yempre, definitely new arrangements, mas matinding production just to show them kung ano talaga 'yung kaya nating gawin. So sobrang excited. Gigil na gigil na po kami," he added.

As they step into the wider world, SB19 is now more confident to explore new things in their music after eight years as a group.

"Hindi na kami parang walking on tiptoes. So parang may assurance na kami sa mga sarili namin sa gusto naming gawin. Na ito 'yung gusto naming i-try, ito 'yung gusto naming ipakita," Justin said.

"'Di ba po, for example with 'VISA,' we're trying out different things. May utot, may tae sa lyrics and whatnot. So parang mas meron kaming power, or talagang confidence siguro. Mas confident na kami sa gusto naming gawin."

SB19 was never shy about trying other genres, and in "Wakas at Simula," Josh said they dabbled into rage-pop and Brazilian funk.

Yet SB19 never forgets their roots. "Wakas at Simula" is a 24-track collection that combines six new songs with all 18 songs from their EP trilogy. The six songs from "Pagsibol," their first EP, come with new "Wakas at Simula" versions. It's their journey truly coming full circle.

"For us, ito pong closure ng trilogy po namin it's a milestone na parang puwede naming balikan na ito na 'yung narating namin," Pablo said. "So, itong album po na i-release namin, it's a celebration for everything that we have achieved together."

SB19 will release "Wakas at Simula" on Friday, March 27. —CDC, GMA Integrated News