When K-pop festival KCON took place in Los Angeles last month, eight-member girl group Bini made history as the first P-pop act to grace the line-up, alongside the likes of artists like Taemin, NCT127 and Zerobaseone. For the uninitiated, P-pop refers to Pinoy pop music—and Bini’s appearance at the major festival is only one of many things that signals the genre’s rapid rise.
While it might confuse some to see a P-pop act amongst K-pop artists, a brief dive into the history of the genre will explain why. Originating from Original Pilipino Music which began in the 1970s, P-pop underwent a huge evolution in the 2010s and emerged with a heavy influence from K-pop. Implementing similar training systems and group structures, the new wave of contemporary P-pop idol groups began emerging in 2018.
Despite its many similarities to K-pop, however, there’s also plenty about P-pop that sets it apart as its own unique genre. Language aside, P-pop draws from and incorporates local Filipino culture—from its local folklore and shared histories to its indigenous instruments and traditional dance forms. In short, it is Filipino music that has evolved in the everchanging modern landscape to become something entirely its own.
The first group that comes to mind when one thinks of the genre is, of course, none other than Bini, with their string of viral hits including ‘Pantropiko’ and ‘Salamin, Salamin’. But Bini is certainly not the only group on the rise. With their growing popularity having opened the door for the genre to take on the global stage, we spotlight the P-pop groups to keep on your radar.
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VXON
VXON’s sound is an undeniably distinct one. Having carved out a unique space for themselves in the P-pop scene by drawing inspiration from local hip-hop, the group describes their own sound as kalye—or street—music. Coupled with powerful dance performances, the group certainly lives up to their moniker, the ‘Monsters of P-pop’.
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SB19
If you were on TikTok some time in the middle of last year, chances are, you’ve probably heard SB19’s ‘Gento’, or seen its dance challenge—performed by everyone from Zerobaseone’s Hanbin and Gunwook to 2NE1’s Minzy. As one of the pioneering groups of contemporary P-pop, the quintet is known for their strong vocals, choreography and stage presence, which come together to create undeniably impressive stages. Becoming the first Southeast Asian act to be nominated on the Billboard Music Awards, SB19 is one of the groups leading the charge when it comes to taking P-pop to the global stage.
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Kaia
When Kaia stands onstage, they are the picture of strong, empowered young women. From the cheerful and upbeat ‘Kaya’ to the sensual and powerful ‘You Did It’, each of the group’s title tracks reveals new sides of the quintet, but one thing they all have in common is a message to young people to love themselves and be comfortable in their own skin. While the group humbly admits that they are still in the process of finding their own sound, the versatility they are showcasing in the process certainly signals promising artistry.
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BGYO
From the same company as Bini comes BGYO. Blending elements of pop and R&B while staying true to their Filipino roots, the group has caught the attention of the public from the moment they made their debut—with their debut single ‘The Light’ charting on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart. Since then, they’ve only grown, venturing into new musical territories and making a name for themselves as the ‘Aces of P-pop’.
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G22
If you’re a fan of K-pop’s popular girl crush concepts, check out G22. Since their debut in 2022, the group has won fans over with their bold looks, strong performances and empowering songs. But don’t be misled by their fierce demeanors—their B-sides reveal a gentler side of the trio that is just as captivating.
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Alamat
What sets six-member boy group Alamat apart is its deep connection to local culture. Performing in seven Philippine languages, the multi-ethnic group weaves references to local folklore into their lyrics, production and costumes—from ‘Maharani’ which incorporates indigenous instruments and folk dance singkil, to ‘Dagundong’ which contains lyrical and visual allusions to the Philippine struggle against oppression and injustice. The result? Powerful, catchy tracks that capture universal experiences through a distinctly Filipino lens.
