(From left) SB19, Ben&Ben and Rico Blanco. Images: Instagram/@the_firsttake, @benandbenmusic, @ricoblanco100
The YouTube channels of SB19, Ben&Ben and Rico Blanco were hacked after fans noticed that crypto videos were aired. While the incident involving bands’ accounts is taken under control, Blanco’s channel has since been down.
On Monday, July 14, the YouTube channels of the Filipino artists suddenly uploaded videos from a cross-border payment solutions company called Ripple which centers around XRP, a form of cryptocurrency token.
I think @SB19Official YouTube channel was hacked 😭@1zentertainment @yanidedios pic.twitter.com/JwhYPtCpUw
— Greeeeeys (semi-ia) ⚪ || here for SB19 🤸 (@blessedcarrot21) July 14, 2024
Ben&Ben YT channel got hacked and it’s shilling crypto.
This is why some people don’t want to even touch crypto. Stupid sht like this happens. pic.twitter.com/LQp7Kk851U— サイファー (@Davy_Brightside) July 15, 2024
Same ng yt ni RICO BLANCO hacked din https://t.co/oVBo6XTJmf pic.twitter.com/6mV3eC3w5Z
— serenity (@JerhenRennka) July 14, 2024
Following the incident, SB19’s self-managed agency 1Z Entertainment announced that the group’s channel was “compromised” but that the situation “is now under control.”
“We regret to inform you that SB19’s official YouTube account was recently compromised. We took immediate action to address the incident, and rest assured that it is now under control. Our team has reported the incident to the relevant authorities involved to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” 1Z wrote on Twitter.
— 1Z ENTERTAINMENT (@1zentertainment) July 15, 2024
Ben&Ben, on the other hand, announced on Facebook that “a significant part” of their YouTube channel has been retrieved.
“Our team has restored and recovered a significant part of our Youtube channel from the hijackers. However, we are still waiting on the response of our partners in addressing this matter, specifically for the Ben&Ben Youtube channel’s Home page,” the band said.
Image: Screengrab from Facebook/Ben&Ben
As of this writing, the home page of SB19’s channel appears to have been restored, while Ben&Ben’s home page is bare.
Image: Screengrab from YouTube/SB19
Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Ben&Ben
Meanwhile, Blanco has yet to address the incident on his social media platforms. His YouTube channel appears to have been taken down.
Image: Screengrab from YouTube/Rico Blanco
SB19, consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin, made their debut in October 2018 with the ballad “Tilaluha.” Some of their hit songs include “Gento,” “Mapa,” “What?” and “I Want You.”
Ben&Ben was formed in 2016 and eventually made a name for themselves as one of the leading folk-pop bands in the country. They are best known for their smash hits “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay,” “Kathang Isip,” “Leaves” and “Paninindigan Kita,” among many others.
On the other hand, Blanco started his music career as the chief songwriter, vocalist and founding member of the rock band Rivermaya in 1994. He left in May 2007 and started a solo career a year later.