SB19 members (from left) Justin, Stell, Josh, Pablo, and Ken in a promo photo for “The First Take.” Image: Courtesy of The First Take
SB19 was honored to represent the Philippines and showcase their vocal prowess in the Japan-based YouTube channel “The First Take,” which aims to show a singer’s abilities in a “single take.”
The P-pop powerhouse appeared on the 449th episode of the music platform, where they did an updated rendition of their smash hit “Gento” on Monday, July 1. SB19 is the first Filipino act and Southeast Asian group to grace the platform.
As in past episodes, SB19, donning casual ensembles, performed in an all-white studio where their singing prowess was recorded in one take.
“It was a true first take. So we were very nervous and overwhelmed, but it was fun and an amazing experience,” SB19 said of their appearance in a press statement.
“Above all, we are grateful for this opportunity and for being able to represent the Philippines by performing our song here. We are honored to showcase our music and culture to the world through ‘The First Take,’” they continued.
“The First Take” is a Japan-based music outlet that invites artists from around the globe to showcase their music and vocal prowess in one take. Each appearance usually puts the singer on center stage amid a plain background and a microphone.
Popular artists who appeared on the YouTube channel were BTS’ V, Harry Styles, and Avril Lavigne, to name a few.
‘DI KA BASTA BASTA MAKAKAKITA NITO’ ✨
LOOK: SB19 makes history as the first Filipino act and the first Southeast Asian group to grace the Japanese music platform “The First Take.”
In their “The First Take” appearance, the P-pop powerhouse did a special performance of their… pic.twitter.com/dxvzNF4IEn
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) July 1, 2024
“Gento,” which was released in May 2023, is included in SB19’s second EP “Pagtatag!” that dropped a month later. It became one of the group’s biggest hits to date, which spawned many covers by artists on TikTok and other platforms.
SB19 was recently nominated for the Favorite Asian Act award at the 2024 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards (KCA), where they’re up against K-pop boy group Enhypen, Japanese girl group NiziU, Indonesia’s Tiara Andini, and Malaysia’s Iman Troye.
The P-pop powerhouse debuted in October 2018 with the ballad “Tilaluha.” Composed of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin, they eventually went on to become the biggest P-pop group in the country.