The Future Of P-Pop Come Together To Discuss Bringing The Genre To Global Heights

The future of P-pop came together for a special roundtable talk, exclusively on this week’s episode of Billboard Philippines Volumes.

Comprised of AJAA’s Alex, YGIG’s Maeg, G22’s AJ, KAIA’s Angela, VXON’s Franz, and ALAMAT’s Jao, this group of P-pop idols opened up about their thoughts on the current state of the genre, how it’s managed to grow over the past couple of years, alongside the highs and challenges that each of them faces with their respective groups.

“There are issues that we face — like colorism. We are very prone to cultural appropriation because we use Filipino textiles and culture and we implement them in everything that we do [as ALAMAT],” Jao mentions.

YGIG’s Maeg also shares how there was a certain stigma associated with the P-pop genre, and how having to break free of such notions posed a challenge for her and her peers on the scene. “Medyo may onting prejudice and stereotype po siya, na ‘Ah, it’s just K-pop.’ Ganayan. And as Filipinos, nakakahinayang na mga kapwa Filipino po ‘yung nagsasabi niyan when you’re trying to make something out of your culture, and trying to share it,” she says.

(There are still little aspects of prejudice and stereotypes wherein people think, ‘Ah, it’s just [like] K-pop.’ Like that. And as Filipinos, it’s demotivating to see such comments come from our fellow Filipinos, especially when you’re trying to make something out of your culture and trying to share it with the rest of the world.”)

While there still lies an emphasis on the challenges from their experiences on the scene, the group also talks about what they pride themselves on with regards to their work as P-pop artists.

“As G22, we’re very strong and [proud na] hindi pang-everyday ‘yung kanta namin. But we always say that mas important ‘yung message and ‘yung artistry, and ‘yun ‘yung palagi naming ipu-push, and hindi ‘yung parang masu-suffer ‘yung sound or artistry namin just for a song na hindi naman ‘yung ime-mean namin as artists,” AJ states.

(As G22, we’re very strong and proud about the fact that our songs aren’t for everyday consumption. We always say that its more important to keep the message and our artistry with our work, which is what we always push for. And we don’t want our sound or our artistry to suffer or be compromised, just for a song that we don’t have full meaning for as artists.”)

Even AJAA’s Alex looks at the growing interest in the genre as a win for all of them, highlighting the growing appreciation from the masses for P-pop and its bubblegum pop sound. “P-pop is developing, at mas marami na pong nakakakilala [ng music],” he adds. (“P-pop is developing, and more people are beginning to recognize its music.”)

Yet concerning their hopes for P-pop moving forward, both KAIA’s Angela and VXON’s Franz elaborate upon how the genre and its artists have more than enough potential to grow and expand as time goes by.

“Sana po magkakaroon ng mas maraming chance na magkaroon ng shows ‘yung mga P-pop groups, para po yung hindi may kaya na ma-afford ‘yung ticket, they can go and still see their favorites. Pero mangyayari ‘yun kung mas may opportunities kami to have a show, and supported ng government and organizations — so as AJ said, we’re very thankful to the brands and organizations na nagsismula na nakikita ‘yung chance and potential for us to perform for several other Filipinos,” Angela says.

(“I hope that there will be more chances for more shows for a number of P-pop groups so that those who can’t afford multiple tickets can still go and see their favorites. But it will only happen if we have more opportunities to have shows and if we are supported by the government and other organizations. So as AJ said, we’re very thankful to the brands and organizations who are starting to take those chances and see the potential for us to perform for several other Filipinos.”)

To help P-pop become recognized globally, Franz shares how he believes local potential has to be prioritized in the public eye. “I think the first step for that to happen is that the Filipinos start to love our own first. Para pag ni-love natin ‘yung sarili natin (So that when we love ourselves first), we can go out to the world and other people can love us as well.”

Alongside these, the group also shared their thoughts on the difference of P-pop now and before, the potential of solo careers, and what groups each of them would love to collaborate with in the near future.

Watch the full episode of Billboard Philippines Volumes featuring AJAA’s Alex, YGIG’s Maeg, G22’s AJ, KAIA’s Angela, VXON’s Franz, and ALAMAT’s Jao below: