P-Pop’s Dynamic Duo: SB19 and BINI
You’re scrolling through your playlist—the usual, familiar original Pilipino music (OPM) hits playing—when suddenly, a new track drops. You find yourself hitting repeat without thinking twice. Before long, you’re queuing up the rest of the album, checking out similar artists, and soon enough, your playlist is filled with tracks from this genre. If you’ve been anywhere near the Filipino music scene recently, you’ll know exactly what this is about: the meteoric rise of P-pop. In a country where music has always been a staple of culture, groups like SB19 and BINI have made their way onto the stage with beats impossible not to sing along to, adding a pinch of new yet distinctly Pinoy sounds to countless playlists.
P-pop isn’t just a rebranding of OPM; it’s a reinvention. Over the years, OPM has been the heartbeat of Filipino culture, evolving from soulful serenades and ballads to the inclusion of several other genres. In its emergence, P-pop blends with Filipino flavors that have long defined OPM, creating a new wave of music. This scene has ushered in a new era for Filipino music, where sound, performance, and appeal are everything.
SB19, a Filipino boy band formed in 2016, gained recognition after its members officially came together in 2018. The group consists of five members—Ken, Stell, Justin, Josh, and Pablo—and is known for blending pop, hip-hop, and dynamic choreography. Their breakthrough came with tracks like “Gento” and “KALAKAL,” merging international pop trends with Filipino influences. SB19’s rise marked the beginning of a new era in P-pop, pushing creative boundaries in both music and performance. Their success has helped shape the future of P-pop, inspiring new talent and expanding the genre’s influence.
In more recent years, BINI, a girl group formed in 2020, has steadily raised the bar for P-pop with an empowering perspective, especially for women. With eight members—Aiah, Maloi, Mikha, Colet, Stacey, Sheena, Jhoanna, and Gwen—the group caught attention for their standout vocals, dance, and distinct style. With tracks like “Pantropiko” and “Salamin, Salamin,” BINI taps into the global contemporary vibe set by SB19 while adding their own touch. Their rise has opened doors for more female acts in P-pop, pushing the boundaries of the scene by embracing hype, kilig, and diversity. BINI’s impact isn’t just shaping the genre; it’s driving P-pop forward, making it a vibrant, ever-evolving force.
As P-pop hits continue to blast, it’s safe to say this genre has found its place, not just in the charts but in the hearts of fans everywhere. Since their rise in 2024, SB19 and BINI have shown no signs of slowing down, with BINI set to go on a world "Biniverse" tour soon. With every release, P-pop shows it’s not just about music; it’s about the identity of the Filipino spirit through cultural expression. The genre’s evolution is clear, as it constantly unveils new waves of sounds.
