SB19 Makes the Case That Pinoy Pop Belongs on Every Global Stage

SB19 is the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act ever booked on a Lollapalooza bill, and for a lot of the American crowd, their set will be a first brush with Pinoy pop (P-pop) entirely. The group knows what that means. “First, it’s an honor to represent the Philippines and Southeast Asia on a stage like Lollapalooza. At the same time, there’s pressure because we’re introducing P-pop to people who may be hearing it for the first time,” they tell Hypebeast.

Rather than shying away from the pressure, the group instead chose to lean on the work. “We approached the set with excellence and confidence, believing we were chosen because we have a story to tell through our music and who we are as artists,” they shared. More than the performance itself, they want the crowd to clock who they are and where they come from. “We hope people walk away seeing us as artists first. We write our music, perform it live, and most importantly, we hope they see the Philippines through us as a country full of talent, great stories, and world-class artistry. Being the first is a statement that Filipino music belongs on the global stage.”

The festival caps a run that’s come together quickly — a GRAMMY Museum moment, a Billboard Music Awards nomination, a Philippine Arena sellout — but none of those milestones have changed how they see the group. “For us, we’re always focused on becoming better and preparing for what’s next. These milestones remind us to keep training, keep improving, and stay true to who we are throughout the journey,” they revealed. The point, for them, is to stay level. “It’s important for us to stay grounded and present while continuing to push ourselves toward the level of excellence and caliber we want to achieve as a group.”

Meanwhile, their latest single “LAWLESS” lands at the peak of this breakout stretch. The track runs heavy on outlaw energy and deliberately moves between English and Tagalog without slowing down. “For us, it’s important to introduce who we are as Filipinos and share our story with the world. Incorporating our own language creates a connection point that allows people to experience where we come from, while the energy of ‘LAWLESS’ represents our readiness for the global stage,” they proudly say. “The song carries the message that nothing can stop us from pursuing what we believe in. We chose ‘LAWLESS’ because this moment represents who we are now: braver, more mature, and more confident in our sound. It reflects the journey, challenges, and growth that brought us here, and we’re ready to share that with the world one step at a time.”

Stream SB19’s “LAWLESS” on Spotify and Apple Music.