BGYO members (from left) Akira, JL, Nate, Mikki and Gelo. Image: Twitter/@StarMusicPH
P-pop boy group BGYO is emerging as one of the global music scene’s rising stars, as they were featured as one of the Asian artists to check out by the US-based Recording Academy.
The quintet are “redefining what it means to be a boy band in the Philippines,” as seen in a May 12 feature on the Filipino group by the music institution, which gives out the yearly Grammy Awards. The feature also noted the overdue attention on Asian artists in the music industry, particularly focusing on 10 other acts from South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Japan and Vietnam.
“The quintet mix elements of pop and R&B, and attribute their music and style to their Filipino roots. BGYO’s lyrics focus on social issues relevant to youth such as self-love, empowerment and hope,” the Grammys story on the homegrown artists read.
Prior to its 2021 debut, BGYO was formed by ABS-CBN under its Star Hunt Academy as a way of introducing Filipino music to the global scene. The Recording Academy also took note of the boy group’s training, which is said to be “similar to the K-pop trainee system in South Korea.”
“Their debut single ‘The Light’ made the group the fifth Filipino artist ever to appear on the Billboard Next Big Sound chart, debuting at No. 2. BGYO capped off their debut year with more than 10 million streams on Spotify and 12 million views on YouTube,” the feature added.
Also included in the list are Car, The Garden, Lexie Liu, So!YoON!, Pretzelle, Baek Yerin, Phum Viphurit, Sexy Zone, Tyson Yoshi and Min.
BGYO, which recently held its “Be Us” album showcase at North Edsa’s SkyDome in Quezon City, is composed of Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki and Nate. The group is best known for its hit songs “Magnet,” “Be Us” and “He’s into Her,” among others.
In a recent exclusive interview with INQUIRER.net, group leader Gelo said “they’re happy” about using their music to contribute to the growth of P-pop.
“We’re so happy about [being seen as one of the top P-pop groups]. Natutuwa kami na nasasama kami sa mga sinasabing nagpapa-usad ng P-pop. Dati, pinapangarap lang namin ‘yun. Ngayon, kasama na namin ang ibang idols na hinahangaan ko before. Tuwang-tuwa kami na dumadami na ang P-pop groups at masarap sa feeling na may kasabay ka na para i-angat ang OPM,” he added. /ra