What? (SB19 song) explained

What?
Cover:What? coverart.jpg
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:SB19
Ep:Pagsibol
Recorded:2021
Genre:
Label:Sony
Prev Title:Hanggang Sa Huli
Prev Year:2020
Next Title:Mapa
Next Year:2021

"What?" is a song recorded by Filipino boy band SB19 as the first single off their extended play Pagsibol. The song was written by the band leader Pablo, who also produced the song, together with his brother Joshua Daniel Nase, Simon Servida, and South Border's Jay Oliver Durias.[1] It was released on March 9, 2021, by Sony Music in conjunction with the premiere of its official music video which was directed by the band member Justin.

Background and composition

The song was written, composed, and produced by the leader of SB19, Pablo (credited as John Paulo Nase). His brother, Joshua Daniel Nase, along with the member of South Border Jay Durias and Filipino-Canadian producer Simon Servida also co-produced the track.[2] [3] It is an incorporation of dance[4] and electro-pop with elements of rap, rock, hip-hop, and EDM.[5] The song was composed in the key A major on the original mix while in G♭ minor on the extended version with a tempo of 96 beats per minute.[6] Servida mentioned in a vlog showing the song's production, that "What?" was quite a challenge due to the tempo changes and complexity[3] which Pablo asked for a heavier and more explosive beat.[7] [8] It is a take-off from SB19's debut album which is dominated by dance-pop and ballad style and is "really different" from what they have done before.[9] Pablo stated that the song has a more "aggressive take to it" than their previous songs[10] and added that it is an anthem about self-love and empowerment.[11] However, others noticed that the song contains few lyrics with political references.[12]

Release and promotion

"What?" was revealed to the public as SB19's newest single on February 25, 2021, via YouTube and on their other social media accounts.[13] [14] SB19 revealed several photos and teaser clips showing few scenes of the music video, photos, and choreography before its official release on March 9.[15] However, on March 8, 2021, ShowBT Philippines, the talent agency that holds SB19, announced the temporary postponement of the virtual music launch that was scheduled the following day after the release due to the members being exposed to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19; the boy band is placed into quarantine.[16] The company apologized on their official statement posted on SB19's official social media and said the music launch will have a new event date announced soon.[17] Despite the postponement, the digital single along with its official merchandise and music video has still pushed through as scheduled.[18]

On April 24, 2021, the limited edition premium fashion merch in collaboration with designer Chynna Mamawal was released.[19] [20] The collection featured streetwear fits limited only to 100 pieces that come in two sets, as well as shirts and dresses inspired by the single.[21] A month after, a five-episode documentary entitled What?: The Making Film was uploaded on their YouTube channel every week, which featured the behind-the-scenes footage of the preparation of "What?".[22] [23]

Critical reception

Apple Music reviewed "What?" as a "patriotic OPM pop that hits hard enough to start a street party." Max San Diego from uDou described the song as the same to the composition of Girl's Generation's "I Got A Boy", both with multiple beat changes and genres; added that "What?" is "messily laid out but you can still agree that it works" and a "hallmark song" for all music in P-pop. Rank The Mag called it a "contagiously massive sound that's larger and louder than life",[24] while LionHearTV defined the song with its "breezy upbeat vibe" dominated with "catchphrase-driven identity".[25] Bulatlat said "What?" is an incorporation of different styles, tempos, and meanings "wrapped in metaphors and imagery that could initially confuse a listener but all working beautifully in the end".[26]

Music video

The music video was directed by the band's sub-vocalist Justin, which was released on the same release date as the official audio on March 9, 2021.[27] Justin was involved mostly on this side of the band's music production as manifested in their previous music video "Hanggang sa Huli".[28] In the video, the members "showcased their singing and dancing skills while rocking various outfits" designed for the concept.[29] The music video earned 1.4 million views a day after its premiere.[30] Media outlets described the setting in the video as "fictional"[7] and a "post-apocalyptic world"[31] with "chaos and energy" placed to it. Some shared that the video's editing and visual effects could go for another review, yet it still "set the bar way too high" for the quality of Filipino pop music videos.

At the end of the video, the Murillo-Vellarde map was featured, which is a historical object that was previously used to strengthen the Philippines' claim over the West Philippine Sea.[32] The appearance of the map stirred conversation on Reddit in which a user pointed out that "no evidence or proof can be used if the national government itself does not support it". Other users also commended the group's efforts in elevating consciousness on the importance of the map.[33]

Live performances

SB19 performed "What?" on their virtual fan meet sponsored by TikTok Philippines on April 17, 2021, with vocals only due to venue restrictions.[34] Two weeks after, they performed the song on national television for the first time at the morning show Unang Hirit.[35] On May 9, they headlined the mother's day special episode of Sunday noontime show All-Out Sundays with "What?" live.[36] On May 15, SB19 did a performance of the song on variety show ASAP.[37] The song was performed on the live broadcast of "Mapa" music showcase three days after. It was also performed at Lazada 6.6 Super Show on June 5, 2021.[38]

Track listing

  1. "What?"4:30
  2. "What?" (Extended Version)5:19

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal and music video.[39]

Accolades

Awards and nominations for "What?"!Year!Award!Category!Result!
2021Nylon Manila Big, Bold, and Brave AwardsGen-Z Approved Hit[40]
Wish Music AwardsPop Song of the Year

Notes and References

  1. Web site: March 10, 2021. P-pop boyband SB19 sizzles with their latest comeback single "What?". March 10, 2021. INQUIRER.net. en.
  2. Web site: Try the TIDAL Web Player. March 11, 2021. listen.tidal.com. en.
  3. Web site: March 11, 2021. Producer releases vlog on how he made SB19's "What?" KStreetManila. March 11, 2021. en-US.
  4. Web site: What? (Original Mix) by SB19 on Beatport. March 26, 2021. www.beatport.com.
  5. Web site: SB19's 'What?' music video hits more than 1.1M views in less than 24 hours. March 12, 2021. ABS-CBN News.
  6. Web site: What? from Sony Music Entertainment on Beatport. March 26, 2021. www.beatport.com.
  7. Web site: March 10, 2021. P-pop boyband SB19 sizzles with their latest comeback single "What?". March 11, 2021. INQUIRER.net. en.
  8. Web site: SB19 Shows How Hit Single 'What?' Was Made—And Why The Song Is Purely 'Them'. May 13, 2021. Candymag.com. en.
  9. Web site: WATCH: SB19 sings about self-love, empowerment in comeback single, 'What?'. March 11, 2021. Rappler. March 9, 2021 . en.
  10. Web site: March 9, 2021. SB19 stakes its claim to global domination with larger-than-life single 'What?'. March 11, 2021. InqPOP!. en.
  11. Web site: Madarang. Catalina Ricci S.. March 10, 2021. SB19's new music video features historical map that helped West Philippine Sea claim. March 11, 2021. Interaksyon. en-US.
  12. Web site: March 10, 2021. What? By SB19 is a Game Changer for P-pop Gen. May 9, 2021. uDOu PH. en-US.
  13. Web site: SB19 Official . February 25, 2021 . SB19 - WHAT❓ [New Song Title Reveal] ]. March 10, 2021. YouTube.
  14. Web site: February 26, 2021 . SB19 unveils title of comeback single to drop on March 9 . March 10, 2021 . . en-us.
  15. Web site: SB19 Official . February 28, 2021 . WHAT❓ Release Scheduler . March 10, 2021 . YouTube.
  16. Web site: SB19 postpones "What?" virtual launch after being exposed to someone COVID-19 positive. March 11, 2021. GMA News Online. en.
  17. Web site: March 9, 2021. SB19 postpone virtual comeback event due to COVID-19 exposure. March 11, 2021. NME. en.
  18. Web site: SB19 Official . March 8, 2021 . [NOTICE] Postponement of SB19 'What?' Music Launch ]. March 10, 2021 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: Basco . Karl Cedrick . April 21, 2021 . SB19 collaborates with designer Chynna Mamawal for 'What?' premium fashion merch . May 9, 2021 . ABS-CBN News . en.
  20. Web site: SB19 creates limited-edition premium collection with fashion designer Chynna Mamawal. May 9, 2021. PEP.ph. en.
  21. Web site: April 21, 2021. SB19 team up with fashion designer Chynna Mamawal for limited Premium Collection merch. May 9, 2021. SB19 team up with fashion designer Chynna Mamawal for limited Premium Collection merch Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.. en.
  22. Web site: March 30, 2021. SB19 preview new docuseries, "What: The Making Film" – watch. May 9, 2021. SB19 preview new docuseries, "What: The Making Film" – watch Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.. en.
  23. Web site: March 30, 2021. SB19 tease documentary series about the making of latest single 'What?'. May 9, 2021. NME. en.
  24. Web site: March 9, 2021. SB19 stakes its claim to global domination with larger-than-life single 'What?'. May 9, 2021. LionhearTV. en-US.
  25. Web site: March 10, 2021. REVIEW: SB19 Turns Up the Volume and Raises the Flag with New P-Pop Anthem, 'What'. May 9, 2021. LionhearTV. en-US.
  26. Web site: May 10, 2021 . Weighing in on SB19's "WHAT?" . May 11, 2021 . Bulatlat . en-US.
  27. Web site: SB19 begins a new era with 'What?' music video. https://web.archive.org/web/20210311094208/https://cnnphilippines.com/life/entertainment/music/2021/3/9/sb19-new-music-video-what.html?fbcid. dead. March 11, 2021. March 11, 2021. cnn. en.
  28. Web site: October 26, 2020. Behind the Lens: JujuArts on creating and animating SB19's 'Hanggang Sa Huli' music video. March 11, 2021. Behind the Lens: JujuArts on creating and animating SB19's 'Hanggang Sa Huli' music video Bandwagon Music media championing and spotlighting music in Asia.. en.
  29. Web site: WATCH: SB19 drops 'What?' music video. March 11, 2021. GMA News Online. en.
  30. Web site: SB19's "What?" music video hits 1.4M views 24 hours after premiere. May 17, 2021. PEP.ph. en.
  31. Web site: March 10, 2021. Self-love and the apocalypse meet in SB19's 'What?' MV - SCOUT. March 11, 2021. Scout Magazine. en-US.
  32. Web site: March 10, 2021. SB19's new music video features historical map that helped West Philippine Sea claim. March 11, 2021. Manila News. en-US.
  33. Web site: docuneeds. March 11, 2021. SB19's new music video options historic map that helped West Philippine Sea declare - Docuneedsph. May 9, 2021. en-US.
  34. Web site: Watch SB19 performs 'What?' during TikTok fan meet Free TrueID. May 9, 2021. TrueID Philippines. en.
  35. Web site: Sakalam! SB19's 'What?' performance on 'Unang Hirit' heat up our screens - TrueID. May 9, 2021. TrueID Philippines. en.
  36. Web site: SB19 performance sa Mother's Day episode ng 'All Out Sundays,' trending online. May 9, 2021. GMA News Online. en.
  37. Web site: May 16, 2021. WATCH: SB19 performs 'What?' on 'ASAP'. May 26, 2021. ABS-CBN News. en.
  38. Web site: Ramirez. Loretta. Lazada 6.6 Super Show Highlights: SB19. June 7, 2021. www.gmanetwork.com. en.
  39. Web site: SB19 - What? Credits on Tidal. March 10, 2021. listen.tidal.com. en.
  40. Web site: May 30, 2021. And The BOLD Winners Are: NYLON Manila BBB Awards. May 30, 2021. NYLON MANILA. en-US.

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