The Voice (Of Future) Generations: SB19’s Stell On His Goals As A Solo Artist

Over the years, Stell of SB19 has been known for excelling in every role he has bravely and confidently taken on: a superb singer of a trailblazing P-pop group, an all-around performer, a caring mentor, one of the innovative founders of his very own entertainment company, and so much more. This is who Stell is. And now — finally — he is ready to carve his own path as a solo artist.

With the release of his debut single, Stell is poised to take on bigger challenges in order to become the artist he was always meant to be. A funk-pop song of self-confidence and empowerment, “Room” serves as the perfect track to mark the beginning of Stell’s solo journey as he sets out to prove that no dream is too big, nor any goal impossible to achieve.

On the occasion of his highly anticipated debut, Billboard Philippines caught up with Stell to talk more about “Room,” the major goal he wants to accomplish as a soloist, his upcoming joint concert with fellow The Voice Generations coach Julie Anne San Jose, and what he has in store.

Billboard Philippines: Hi Stell! Congratulations on the release of “Room!” What was your favorite part about preparing for your solo debut? Was there any pressure? Were there any challenges?

I’m excited [about] creating a lot of content for “Room.” Kasi everyone knows naman that I’m on TikTok and I really love creating content on TikTok. So with this song, I thought of a lot of things na pwede kong i-partner na pwedeng ilabas. Commonly, ‘yung mga dance, dance break. But marami pang bagay na balak kong i-release soon. 

[I’m excited about creating a lot of content for “Room.” Because everyone already knows that I’m on TikTok and I really love creating content on TikTok. So with this song, I thought of a lot of things that I could partner with it that I can release. Commonly, it’s the dance, the dance break. But I have more things I’m planning on releasing soon.]

Hindi ko masyadong na-feel ‘yung pressure because of the support of my brothers [in SB19] behind me — I really felt their 100% support — and, of course,  the 1Z [Entertainment] team. They are the ones pushing me to do everything, na parang, “All you need to do is perform, build yourself [up], enhance your skills. Kami na ang bahala tumulong sa ’yo.” 

[I didn’t feel that much pressure because of the support of my brothers in SB19 behind me — I really felt their 100% support — and, of course,  the 1Z Entertainment team. They are the ones pushing me to do everything, like, “All you need to do is perform, build yourself up, enhance your skills. We’ll be the ones to help you.”]

Siguro ‘yung part ko rito is, ‘yun nga, mag-isip ng content and strategy. Tumutulong ako [with those] part[s] kasi parang na-cha-challenge ako sa side na ‘yun.

[I guess my part here is, as I said, to come up with content and strategy. I help with those parts because that side challenges me.]

What is one fun fact about “Room” that you can share with our readers?

Noong una kasi, parang surprise dapat na may tinap kaming drag queen for the music video. Sinama ko si Tita Baby kasi saktong ilalabas din [‘yung video] during Pride Month.

[In the beginning, it was supposed to be a surprise that we tapped a drag queen for the music video. We included Tita Baby because it was also going to be released during Pride Month.]

Ako naman, bukod sa saktong Pride Month, I thought it’s time na ma-represent [namin] ‘yung [LGBTQIA+] community nang hindi lang tama, pero ‘yung ma-represent sila nang 100% [at may] full support. Kasi sa team din namin maraming part ng community nila and we’re very happy na kasama sila sa team namin. Noong na-meet ko si Tita Baby, and of course, si Lance [Reblando] — theater [actor] siya — sobrang happy [ko]. Akala ko kasi sobrang hirap nila makuha for this project kasi sino ba naman [kami]? So, I’m very happy na nag-go sila sa project na ‘to! [smiles]

[For me, other than because it’s pride month, I thought it’s time that we represented the LGBTQIA+ community not just properly, but to represent them with our 100% and full support. Because even in our own team, a lot of them are part of the community and we’re very happy that they’re part of our team. When I met Tita Baby, and of course, Lance Reblando — a theater actor — I was so happy. I thought it would be difficult to get them for this project because who were we? So, I’m very happy that they were game for this project!]

As a member of SB19, you’ve undeniably already achieved so much as a singer, as a performer, being a coach on The Voice Generations, and so much more. As a soloist, what is a goal you have yet to achieve that you want to accomplish and why?

I think it’s a lot but I want to be someone na masasabing “icon.” But not now. It will take time, [maybe] years. But I want to establish myself as someone na pagtanda ko, gusto ko ‘yung mga kanta ko, makakanta pa rin ng mga bagong henerasyon. Parang ganun. Gusto ko po ‘yung magkaroon ako ng sariling sound na masasabi nilang, “Ah, si Stell ‘to,” na kapag narinig nila ‘yung boses ko, “Ah, si Stell ‘to!” I want to be that Stell na may distinct sound, na may distinct style, na may distinct genre. 

[I think it’s a lot but I want to be someone that can be considered an “icon.” But not now. It will take time, maybe years. But I want to establish myself as someone that, when I grow old, I want my songs to still be sung by the newer generations. Something like that. I want to have my very own sound that they can say, “Ah, this is Stell,” when they hear my voice, “Ah, this is Stell!” I want to be that Stell with a distinct sound, with a distinct style, with a distinct genre.] 

I guess, hindi siya too much na isipin or i-wish ko for [myself]. Kasi wish ko lang siya and it’s [something] na ako na ‘yung bahala na gumawa noon, na sana magawa ko talaga. But ‘yung ultimate dream ko talaga is mag-grow ako as an artist and also ‘yung company namin, ‘yung 1Z [Entertainment], with SB19. 

[I guess, it’s not too much to think of or wish for myself. Because it’s just a wish of mine and it’s something that’s up to me to do, something I hope I can do. But my ultimate dream really is to grow as an artist and also our company, 1Z Entertainment, with SB19.]

Would you say that “Room” represents the sound you want to be remembered for?

With “Room,” masasabi ko na nasa exploration process pa ako. Kasi aminado ako na ganitong sound ‘yung gusto ko, but I guess, sa mga susunod pang releases, mas makakagawa pa kami ng sound na mas “ako.” Nandoon na kami. Siguro ilang steps pa ‘yung p’wede naming gawin para mahanap talaga yung sound [ko]. But ‘yung “Room,” perfect siya for [my] solo debut. May “Room” pa for improvement! [laughs]

[With “Room”, I can say that I’m still in an exploration process. Because admittedly, this is the sound that I like, but I guess, in future releases, we’ll be able to create even more of sound that’s more “me.” We’re already there. Maybe there’s a few more steps that we can take in order to really find my sound. But “Room” is perfect for my solo debut. There’s still “Room” for improvement!]

Recently, 1Z Entertainment opened up trainee auditions for a potential girl group. As someone who has already had experience mentoring numerous talented individuals on The Voice Generations, is there anything we can expect from you in terms of how these future trainees will be guided and taught?

I guess ‘yung number one [thing] na important maturo is ‘yung pagiging tao. Kasi we know na, as artists, “dapat” number one ‘yung pagiging presentable, marunong makipagusap sa mga tao. Pero other than that, dapat marunong kang makitao. ‘Yun ‘yung number one. Mawawalan ng sense ‘yung pagiging magaling mo kung wala kang puso.

[I guess the number one, most important thing to be taught is how to be personable. Because we know, as artists, being presentable and knowing how to talk with other people “should” be number one. But other than that, you should be personable. That’s what’s number one. You being great will lose sense if you don’t have heart.]

Hindi ko ‘to sinasabi para lang ipamukha na, “Ah, si Stell, grabe! May puso talaga siya para sa ibang tao.” Hindi. Sinasabi ko ‘to para hindi mawala ‘yung soul ng isang tao sa art na gusto nyang gawin. Kasi napaka-importante sa isang artist na alam nya kung sino siya, na alam nya kung ano yung pinaniniwalaan nya. So, ‘yung mga bagay na ‘yun, ‘yung dapat habang bata o bago pa lang sila, ‘yun na ‘yung isipin nila para hindi sila maliligaw sa gusto nilang gawin.

[I’m not saying this just to make it known that, “Oh wow Stell really has a heart for other people.” No. I’m saying this so that the soul of a person for the art that they want to do is not lost. This is because it’s so important for an artist that they know who they are, what they believe in. So, while they’re still young or new, these are the things that they should keep in mind so that they won’t get lost while doing what they want to do.]

Your two-night concert with Julie Anne San Jose is coming up this July. What are you most excited for? What can those who will be watching expect from the two of you?

I’m excited about the song list! It’s a collection of our generations’ playlists, and we are targeting ‘yung mga playlist noong unang panahon [until] the present. Kaya ‘yung title ‘nya is Ang Ating Tinig kasi ang target talaga namin is ‘yung kinakanta noon nina Pilita Corales — mga kanta nila — until the present. I-sho-showcase namin ‘yung range ng OPM and ‘yung range ng skills ng [Filipino music] ngayon. 

[I’m excited about the song list! It’s a collection of our generations’ playlists and we are targeting playlists from the past until the present. That’s why its title is Our Voice because we’re targeting the ones sung by Pilita Corales — their songs — until the present. We will showcase the range of OPM and the range of skills of Filipino music today]. 

I’m very excited sa magiging reaction ng audience — ‘yung tipong intro pa lang ‘yung pine-play, alam na nila ‘yung kanta, makiki-jam na agad sila!

[I’m very excited for the audience’s reaction — even as the intro plays, they’ll already know the song, and they’ll jam along immediately!]

Without a doubt, the A’TIN, especially your loyal Berries, have patiently waited and have been very excited for your solo debut with “Room.” What message would you like to give them? What else can they expect next?

A’TIN, Berries, thank you so much! Naghintay kayo nang matagal for this. I know na medyo overdue na ‘to but I’m very thankful na nakapaghintay kayo and [are] really supporting me with this!

[A’TIN, Berries, thank you so much! You waited a long time for this. I know this is a bit overdue but I’m very thankful that you were able to wait and are really supporting me with this!]

For what you can expect next, marami! Ngayon pa lang, nalulula na ako! In August, I will be releasing an EP and magkakaroon din ako ng nationwide tour. Hindi ko pa masasabi yung exact date but ‘yun ‘yung kailangan nyong abangan!

[As for what you can expect next, a lot! Even now, I’m overwhelmed! In August, I will be releasing an EP and I’ll be having a nationwide tour. I can’t say the exact date yet, but that’s what you need to look forward to!]

Listen to Stell’s “Room” below: