Philippine pop or P-pop groups like SB19 and Bini are taking the world by storm.
For years, the P-pop industry has struggled with limited resources and a lack of recognition from the public. Lately, however, P-pop has made huge strides in terms of fan support and music or aesthetic quality. It’s high time that P-pop groups get the spotlight too. Here are five other super talented groups that you can check out:
1) Alamat
Alamat’s debut song “Kbye” included seven Philippine languages in its lyrics. The R&B-pop track made them the second P-pop group to ever enter Billboard USA’s Next Big Sound Chart. Even Lea Salonga was impressed.
The group is also musically diverse. “Dayang” is pure pop goodness, while “Noli,” “Say U Love Me,” and “Maharani” deliver silky R&B rhythms. “Day and Night” (a Bisaya-heavy track co-written by Vispop legend Therese Villarante-Langit) and “Hiraya” show that the Alamat boys can pull off a more bubblegum sound as well. The members are heavily involved in producing and writing their own music, an impressive feat for the young artists.
2) YGIG
YGIG (You Go, I Go) debuted with “Shaba Shaba,” a hip-hop track that cleverly interpolates a nursery rhyme in the chorus. Fans fondly refer to them as the Princesses of P-pop. But they are not the type of princesses who sit around and do nothing. The members of YGIG all have writing credits for their catchy, confident music.
A few members have left the group over the years — most recently Alexei, now an SB Town soloist and actress — but YGIG is staying strong. They are currently preparing for their comeback. They will also sing the heartfelt ballad “Where You At,” the theme song of Finding Santos, a Korean-Filipino film starring none other than morena beauty Maeg, YGIG’s gorgeous visual.
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3) Kaia
After a few years of trying to find their niche, five-member group Kaia finally struck gold with “Walang Biruan.” The heartfelt love song, with its breathy phrased melodies and thumping Jersey club kicks, has given the young ladies of Kaia some well-deserved recognition.
Kaia released another bouncy electro-pop single, “Tanga” (produced by Zack Tabudlo!), accompanied by an impressive one-take MV. Although the girls’ sweet tones sound magical with the dreamy electronic soundscapes of Jersey club and UK garage, they can’t be boxed into just one genre. After all, “You Did It” gave Kaia their first award.
At the 9th P-pop Awards, the girls nabbed the Vocal Arrangement trophy for the hip-hop track.
4) G22
G22 debuted with a bang (or, more accurately, “Bang!”) in 2022. Their first single fully leaned into the girl crush concept. The music video had a muted color palette that complemented the song’s trap beats. Over the past few years, they have explored softer sounds as well, like the ballad “Babalik,” easy-listening “One Sided Love,” and R&B-pop “I Hate Boys.”
The trio have returned to their girl crush roots with the swaggering singles “Limitless” and “Pa-Pa-Pa-Palaban.” Whether it’s a cool or soft song, the G22 girls deliver confidence and attitude. Behind the scenes, they’re empowered too, taking control of their image and sound. In particular, their leader AJ has accumulated multiple creative credits for G22 songs and MVs. For instance, she co-wrote “Loka”; its lyrics candidly discuss topics that Pinoys often consider taboo, especially for young women.
Also Read: Dilaw Releases Latest Single, “Mahal”
5) Vxon
This five-member boy group doesn’t shun the sound of the people. Instead, they’re committed to elevating kanto music, the kind that the Filipino masses usually hear playing on the radio while walking down the street or hanging out in Internet cafés.
Like most groups, it took them a while to find their niche. Their debut, “The Beast,” is sonically very different from their newer songs, but growth takes time. “SSP (Saksak sa Puso),” “KNT (Kanta ng Tanga),” and “Tabi-Tabi Po” are some of Vxon’s recent pop-rock comebacks that really capture the feeling of enjoying a chill afternoon in the Philippines.
Photo credits: Billboard Philippines, @Official_ALAMAT, @ygig_official, @KAIAOfficialPH, @G22Official, and @vxonofficial on X
