Photography: Reinhardt Kenneth for ArtCoded
Designer: Kenneth Barlis
Hair and Makeup: Carlos G Beauty, Zalvador Mejia, Alma Cedillo
Lighting Director: Hugo Arvizu
Digitech: Suimay Lee
Photography Assistant: Nessy Rayner
Stylist Assistant Rosemary Batac
Production CM Agency
BGYO: The Global Phenomenon Redefining P-Pop and Inspiring a Generation
In the ever-evolving world of music, few groups manage to balance experimentation with authenticity quite like BGYO. Since their electrifying debut, this powerhouse quintet—comprising Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate—has taken the music scene by storm with their unique blend of artistry, authenticity, and an unshakable connection to their Filipino roots while capturing hearts not just in their homeland, the Philippines, but across the globe. They’ve become the face of a new generation of P-Pop, fusing cultural pride with modernity. But beyond the chart-topping hits and breathtaking performances, BGYO stands for something much greater: resilience, unity, and the transformative power of music.
Every generation brings forth a group that doesn’t just perform but transforms. For BGYO that transformation is more than about music, it’s about breaking barriers, challenging norms, and carrying the weight of a culture eager to shine on the global stage. Since the beginning, BGYO has redefined what it means to be artists in a fast-evolving industry, seamlessly blending heartfelt Filipino heritage with a bold, universal sound.
But what truly sets them apart isn’t just their infectious beats or jaw-dropping performances. It’s their authenticity, their ability to connect deeply with their fans, lovingly called ACEs, and their unwavering mission to inspire. Each lyric, each step, and each note tells a story of hope and unshakable dreams. Of breaking boundaries while building bridges. BGYO stands at the forefront of a P-Pop revolution, taking their craft to new heights and their audience along for the ride.
From navigating the pressures of fame to creating anthems of empowerment, their journey is as compelling as it is groundbreaking. Here’s an exclusive look into the minds and hearts of BGYO, where passion meets purpose, and music becomes a movement. Prepare to be inspired.
With their newly released self-titled EP BGYO just released, Composure is excited to get and interview the group!
BGYO’s music has evolved significantly since your debut. How do you find the balance between experimenting with new sounds and staying true to your group’s identity? Can you share what drives your creative direction?
GELO: Our music journey has been about finding that balance between exploring new sounds and staying authentic to who we are. We’re always excited to experiment and push our boundaries, but we make sure that every song still reflects BGYO’s core values. We want our music to connect not just with our fans but with anyone who loves music that resonates with them on a personal level. Our creative direction is driven by our experiences and stories as a group and as individual members. It’s also our desire to inspire, represent Filipino culture, and grow as artists while staying true to our roots.
The international music scene is becoming more open to Filipino talent. As a group, what are your global aspirations, and how do you plan to stand out in the growing world of P-pop on the international stage?
MIKKI: Our dream is to have No. 1 songs in the global market and to perform on the big stages around the world. We want to transcend the boundaries of language through our music.
You’ve spent years honing your skills and working together as a team. How do you maintain harmony and growth within the group, both personally and professionally, especially during high-pressure moments?
NATE: To maintain our harmony and growth as a group, we always make sure we’re on the same page. From the stage, the setlist we’re performing, and the things we need to get done. We’re also always training and working out together, which, personally, I enjoy because we all feel the pain, struggle, and exhaustion together. When it comes to high-pressure moments like a malfunction on stage, we try our best to be prepared. In the past, there were a couple of performances where our head-worn mics would fall off, or our transmitters would fall out, but what made us prepared for those moments was the muscle memory we have for each song. We know our songs well enough to be able to fix our mics or any difficulties while still performing.
Many of your songs carry powerful messages about self-love, empowerment, and resilience. How important is it for BGYO to weave these themes into your music, and what impact do you hope these messages will have on your fans?
AKIRA: The messages in our songs are important because it is one way for us to share with our listeners the importance of empowerment, self-love, resilience, and sharing love with others. We hope that through our music, we can lift the spirits of our ACES, make them smile, and inspire them to keep fighting and moving forward in life.
Filipino culture is rich with music and traditions. In what ways does your heritage influence your sound, visuals, or performance style, and how do you incorporate these elements into your music for both local and global audiences?
AKIRA: Growing up in the Philippines, we’ve been immersed in the country’s vibrant music and traditions. Our music blends Filipino elements with modern style, incorporating local terms like ‘gigil’, ‘kundiman’, and ‘patintero’ as the title of our songs. We also do collaborations with international artists and producers to fuse global sounds. By merging heritage with modernity, we aim to share Filipino culture with global audiences, showcase our unique sound and style, and inspire a new generation of artists.
Social media and digital platforms have become key in connecting with audiences worldwide. How do you navigate the digital space as artists, and what role does it play in shaping your interaction with fans and promoting your music?
NATE: As artists, navigating the digital space is part of our daily routine. The digital space is an important thing for us because it’s where we connect with our supporters. It’s where we give clues about what we’re cooking up, or what we’re dropping soon. It’s a place where we can share fun things with our supporters and about what we do in our personal lives.
Collaboration is a powerful tool in the music industry. Are there any artists, locally or internationally, with whom you’d love to collaborate? What do you look for in potential collaborators, musically and creatively?
MIKKI: Our dream is to collaborate with BTS, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber. They have been our inspiration since our trainee days and we’ve learned a lot from watching and listening to them. When looking at potential creators, we look for people with positive, easy-going energy because it’s nice to make music with people you can have fun with.
Success often comes hand in hand with both praise and criticism. How do you as a group handle public perception, and how do you stay grounded amidst the highs and lows of fame?
GELO: We stay focused on our goals and support each other, using both positive comments and criticism to grow. There is a fine line between criticism and slander. BGYO and our core people are the ones who really know what’s reallyhappening behind everything. That’s why our ACEs, families, real friends, BGYO Team, and our bond as a group keep us grounded and motivated through the ups and downs.
Beyond your music, are there any personal passions or social causes that you are particularly passionate about and would like to champion How do you hope to use your platform for a positive impact?
GELO: As a group, I believe we can all agree on the importance of advocating for anti-cyberbullying efforts and mental health awareness, especially since we’ve personally experienced these challenges ourselves. We have to be aware of the impact of every post we make, every word we say, and of course, everything we do. We always want to inspire and make a positive impact on everyone.
BGYO has a deeply passionate and engaged fanbase, lovingly known as Aces. How does your connection with Aces influence your energy on stage, your creative process, and even your personal growth as artists? Could you share any moments where your fans have profoundly impacted you? And what’s the most memorable experience you’ve had with them?
JL: The support of the ACEs has been a huge help to us because they give us strength and motivate us in everything we do. One of the things I like the most about the ACEs is their honesty with us. The ACEs play a big part in the growth of BGYO. The most memorable moment for me was our Album Showcase. That’s when we saw how dedicated they are to what they do for us. Because of them, we never lose our energy and we are even more inspired to keep going.
In an industry that’s constantly changing, how do you personally define success? Is it about reaching a certain milestone, inspiring your listeners, or something else entirely?
GELO: For us, success is about inspiring our listeners and making a positive impact through our music. Of course, it’s a dream for us to perform on the biggest stages, be acknowledged globally, and have a huge impact on the entertainment industry. What matters most is knowing our songs resonate and lift people’s spirits. For us, it’s all about growth, connection, and staying true to our purpose.
Looking back to your trainee days, what’s the most valuable lesson you’ve carried with you into your career? How has that experience shaped who you are today, both as individuals and as a group?
JL: For me, the most valuable lesson I’ve learned is to stay focused and disciplined in everything you do. If you don’t give your 100% every day, it will be hard for you to grow and move forward, whether alone or as a group. The things we learned during our trainee days were a huge help, because that’s when we got to know each other, and whatever mistakes we made, we gradually corrected them until we perfected what we were doing.
Every artist faces challenges on their journey to success. What has been the most difficult obstacle you’ve had to overcome as a group, and how did it shape your resilience or approach to the industry?
JL: For us in BGYO, one of the toughest challenges we’ve faced was dealing with online bashing and false rumors. Thefake news and allegations on social media had a huge impact on us, but we didn’t let that stop us from chasing our dreams. We didn’t let those things affect us because we know each other better than anyone else. This experience strengthened our bond and made us even more determined to show people what we’re capable of as BGYO.
Many musicians explore acting, hosting, or other media endeavors. Have any of you considered branching into acting or other creative fields, and if so, how do you see those experiences enhancing your growth as entertainers?
GELO: Definitely. Our management gives us opportunities to explore different endeavors and still represent BGYO as individuals. Akira and JL played the lead role “Rovic” in the classic Filipino musical called “Tabing Ilog” last 2023, and Akira will do another run starting this November. He also starred in a digital series called “BolaBola” alongside Francine Diaz. I (Gelo) will also have my first upcoming movie playing the role of “Jeydon based on an original story called “The Four Bad Boys and Me”. While Mikki and Nate are exploring music production, songwriting, and choreography (Nate).We have also done some acting features in music videos of other artists and modeling/clothing gigs. We look forward to more blessings and opportunities.
I think these experiences teach us valuable disciplines that we can apply to our performances and creative process with BGYO. They not only deepen our knowledge but also give us insights to share with others. These lessons will definitelyhelp sustain us in the long run.
Touring and live performances are a big part of any artist’s life. How do you prepare for tours or big performances, both physically and mentally, and what’s your favorite part about being on stage?
NATE: For physical preparation, we run through our songs over and over again to check if we’re staying connected as a group when dancing and singing, but we also make sure to take short breaks to maintain our stamina. Conditioning is a big part of performance, both mentally and physically because when you’re calm and collected, you’re able to perform songs the way you want to. You’re also not worried about being too out of breath to sing parts near the end of the song.
The music industry can be intense and fast-paced. How do you stay inspired and creatively fresh? Are there any personal rituals, habits, or downtime activities that help you recharge and refocus?
NATE: To stay inspired and creative, we take time off work to enjoy our own hobbies and interests that could spark ideas that we can bring to BGYO. A personal habit I’ve recently picked up again is reading. In my downtime, I also work out to clear my mind. I’ve added running to my workout routine too!
As you continue to grow and push boundaries in your music and performances, what can your fans expect next from BGYO? Are there any exciting projects, collaborations, or musical directions you’re eager to explore in the near future?
JL: Of course, what you should look forward to from us are the new songs we will be releasing for our upcoming album. But for now, we can’t reveal some of the other projects yet. So to stay updated on our latest activities, you can follow us on our social media accounts @bgyo_ph and on YouTube @BGYO Official.
BGYO is not a simple group, they are a revolution in sound, heart, and vision. With every beat of their music and every story they weave, they ignite a spark that travels far beyond the stage, touching lives, breaking barriers, and uniting people through the universal language of music. They are dreamers with a purpose, creators with a mission, and storytellers of a generation that dares to dream bigger and bolder. Their journey is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and an unshakable belief in the power of connection.
To their ACEs, they are a voice of strength. To the music industry, they are trailblazers. To the world, they are a rising force, a phenomenon that reminds us that the future belongs to those who dare to blend passion with purpose.
BGYO’s symphony is a crescendo that promises to echo across stages, cultures, and hearts for years to come. And as they stand on the brink of global stardom, one thing is clear: BGYO isn’t just a moment, they’re a movement. The stage lights may dim, but the legacy they’re building will shine forever. This is just the beginning, and the world is waiting for their next chapter.
Are you ready to feel the power of BGYO? Because they’re not just here to perform, they’re here to make history.
