SB19 are a Filipino boy band formed in 2018. The band consists of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin. SB19 is regarded as a leading act in contemporary Pinoy pop. They are now a self-managed group under 1Z Entertainment, a company built and managed by the members of SB19.[1]
After several years as trainees under ShowBT Philippines, SB19 debuted in 2018 with the single "Tilaluha". They have received little attention from the public until their dance practice video for their song "Go Up" went viral in late 2019. This has led them to strategically use social media in gaining popularity and increasing their fandom. They became the first Southeast Asian act to be nominated on the Billboard Music Awards, and the first Southeast Asian act to make an appearance in the top 10 of the Billboard Social 50.[4][5] SB19 promotes its music as part of Pinoy pop, a popular sub-genre of Original Pilipino Music.
Name
The letters in the group's name were taken from the initials of their former Korean management company, ShowBT. The number 19 is derived from the country calling codes of South Korea (+82) and of the Philippines - the difference of 82 and 63, and the sum of the digits (8 + 2 + 6 + 3). It symbolized the collaboration of the two countries in the formation of the group.[7] The members themselves, however, used the phrase "Sound Break"—for the goal to "break into the music scene"
Fandom and symbolism
In 2019, the boy band revealed their official logo, signifying the group's struggles, aspirations, and the people behind their success. The boys also dropped their official color which is sky blue, representing confidence and sincerity.
In the same year, on November 2, SB19 unveiled their official fandom name, "A'TIN", through a Facebook Live video. Pronounced as "eighteen", it takes the meaning of the Filipino term, "atin" (AH-tihn), which translates to "ours".