SB19 members (from left) Ken, Justin, Pablo, Josh, Stell. Image: X/@SB19Official
SB19 — consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin — took a leap in their careers as they officially launched their own company 1Z Entertainment, months after declaring they have transitioned into being self-managed stars.
The P-pop supergroup made the announcement during a YouTube live on Sunday, Oct. 1, where their leader Pablo will take on the role as the chief executive office (CEO). The video also showed SB19 unveiling 1Z’s “identity and logo,” which they hoped will create a “new standard of Filipino artists.”
“Sobrang excited ako kasi pinaka-pride namin itong 1Z Entertainment. Isa ito sa mga biggest achievements namin in life… 1Z Entertainment is built by the members of SB19 together with all the people behind the camera. Kasama namin sila sa 1Z (I’m so excited because 1Z Entertainment is our pride. It’s one of our biggest achievements in life. 1Z Entertainment is built by the members of SB19 together with the people behind the camera who are with us),” Pablo said.
Pablo said their company aims to “challenge everything we see in the industry,” while promoting “Filipino music, Filipino talent, and the whole Filipino culture.”
“Sometimes, nabi-view pa kami as nagma-magaling kasi gusto namin ay hands-on kami sa lahat ng ginagawa namin. But in truth, we’re just so focused on our goal, on the vision that we want to achieve that’s why we couldn’t just blindly follow the things that we were told to do… Tinake namin ang wheel. Since this is also our future, gusto namin hands-on kami sa ginagawa namin,” he said.
(Sometimes, we’re viewed as know-it-alls because we want to be hands-on in everything that we do. But in truth, we’re just so focused on our goal, on the vision that we want to achieve that’s why we couldn’t just blindly follow the things that we were told to do. We took the wheel. Since this is also our future, we want to be hands-on with everything we do.)
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The “La Luna” singer noted that their company aimed to function as an “ecosystem” where artists can help each other create quality content in hopes of “leveling up” the entertainment industry.
“Noong nagkaroon kami ng chance na i-build ‘yung 1Z, it took all the might to take a step forward,” Pablo said. “Sobrang hirap niya kung iisipin. Pero iniisip namin we have vision and we have the people behind us na talagang tutulungan kami na ma-achieve ang [vision] na ‘yun.”
(When we had the chance to build 1Z, it took all the might to take a step forward. It’s hard if you think about it. But we believe in our vision and we have the people behind us who can help us in achieving our vision.)
‘Get you into the zone, break the norm’
Pablo underscored 1Z’s motto to create a “brighter future” for the next generation of artists, performers and creatives alike.
“We consider this as a sanctuary or a dojo where we work on ourselves, we try to hone our talents and try to develop all the aspects and individualities. This company is inspired by SB19’s key message is to get you into the zone and break the norm,” he said.
“We believe that in breaking norms, we see that the new standard of Filipino artists unfold. It is our mission to hone breakthrough artists who express their limitless creativity and passion through groundbreaking music, arts, and entertainment in an ecosystem that is the zone,” he further explained.
SB19 also took to 1Z’s Instagram account to share their company logo andfuture goals,
The five-piece act previously spoke about managing their own label during their “Pagtatag” media launch last June, where Josh said 1Z is built for the “P-pop and OPM industry.”
“It’s a risk that we’re taking because we believe in Filipino talents. I hope we can help each other to push the arts and culture of the Philippines. This is not an easy path, it’s a big risk we’re taking right now but I hope this can inspire a lot of people who want to challenge the market and to grow the industry,” he said.
SB19 was previously under ShowBT Philippines before confirming earlier this year their “freedom” as self-managed artists. EDV