Felip (musician)

Felip Jhon Suson (born January 12, 1997), known professionally as Felip and as Ken in his role as a member of P-pop group SB19, is a Filipino singer, songwriter, rapper, dancer and entrepreneur. As Ken, he is the main dancer and lead singer of the Filipino boy band SB19 managed under 1Z Entertainment.

Felip made his solo debut with "Palayo" (2021), a slow R&B track, which was followed by the single "Bulan" (2022). He released his first extended play COM•PLEX in 2023 and his first album 7sins in 2024. Honouring his roots as a Cebuano speaker from Zamboanga del Sur, Felip has performed in Cebuano in addition to Filipino and English. Although Felip is known for his distinctively deep voice, he has displayed a wide vocal range and is noted for his versatility and experimental sound.

Early life and education

Felip Jhon Suson was born on January 12, 1997, in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur. He has bisdak Bisaya roots. He was raised by his grandparents in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur. Felip's father and grandfather are pastors, and their love for gospel music inspired his own passion for music. The influence of his uncle, who plays many musical instruments, led him to learn how to play several instruments early in life. He started dancing when he needed to for a school project aside from being a varsity player in sepak takraw. Felip joined some hiphop dance groups during high school. He attended Cagayan de Oro College and studied architecture before his musical career began. After joining the band, he transferred to the Technological Institute of the Philippines.

Career

2018–present: SB19

ShowBT Philippines, a subsidiary of Korean company ShowBT, conducted a talent search which would ultimately lead to the formation of the band SB19. Two weeks after Felip sent his video audition, he was invited to train in Manila. He dropped out of school and left his hometown, which his parents initially disapproved of. "It was a difficult decision", he later told the South China Morning Post, "but I had to do it because dancing is what I really love".

The five members of SB19 were selected in 2016, having undergone grueling daily training at a training camp. Their act largely took inspiration from K-pop. Felip debuted as Ken, the band's main dancer, lead vocalist, and rapper, in October 2018. That year, SB19 released their debut single, "Tilaluha" (lit.'tearful'), followed by "Go Up". SB19's leader, Sejun (now Pablo), said that the band had begun to grow disheartened after training so long, but receiving little attention. The group had already considered to disband, but their dance practice video for their song, "Go Up", went viral in 2019, leading Sejun to call it their "redemption song". SB19 released a third single, "Alab (Burning)", before their debut studio album Get in the Zone came out on July 31, 2020. Containing their previous three singles, Get in the Zone was highly anticipated by their newly developed fanbase, which was dubbed A'TIN (pronounced 'eighteen').

On May 19, 2023, SB19 released "Gento", the lead single off their second EP Pagtatag! (transl.strengthening). The song was a commercial success, while its popularity on TikTok helped introduce SB19 to viewers in other countries, such as the United States. Pagtatag! was released on June 9. That month, SB19 became self-managed after they established the company 1Z Entertainment.

With the successful release of Pagtatag!, the group further solidified their presence in the Philippine pop music scene. The Philippine Daily Inquirer later wrote that SB19 became the leaders of the Pinoy pop (P-pop) industry.

On January 31, 2025, SB19 released a teaser of their new EP Simula at Wakas. "Dam," the first single from the EP, was released on February 28, 2025 while the EP itself was released on April 25, 2025. Billboard then exclusively revealed plans for SB19's Simula at Wakas World Tour, which kicked off at the Philippine Arena on May 31, 2025.

2021–2022: Solo singles

In April 2021, SB19 became the first Filipino act to be nominated for a Billboard Music Award when they became a contender for the fan-voted category Top Social Artist. Around the same time, Felip was visiting his hometown after his grandmother died. On July 22, 2021, the band released their first extended play (EP) Pagsibol (lit.'sprouting'). SB19 began August with the online concert Back in the Zone. During the concert, Felip debuted the original song "Palayo" (lit.'away') in a solo performance. His outfit, a red lace top paired with high-rise pants, drew attention on social media.

In August, Felip featured on a remix of Filipino rapper Matthaios' song "Pangga" (lit.'love'). On September 18, Felip officially released "Palayo" as his debut solo single, alongside the music video. He wrote and composed the slow R&B track—a departure from SB19's energetic pop style—about someone walking away from a relationship, with lyrics in Cebuano, Filipino, and English. Using the mononym Felip for his solo projects, Felip was the first SB19 member to start a solo career. His fans were dubbed sisiws (lit.'chicks'). On November 26, Felip launched his clothing line Superior Son, which promptly sold out.

On May 28, 2022, Felip released the single "Bulan", along with the music video. The song was written by Felip, who composed the melody, and described by GMA News' Shia Lagarde as having a "more experimental and aggressive sound", influenced by rock and hip-hop, than "Palayo". Both the song and the music video were inspired by Philippine mythology; he used the story of Bulan, Haliya, and the Bakunawa as a metaphor for crab mentality. The single's melody and chants were inspired by indigenous ritual music. In November 2022, Felip was named "Breakthrough Artist of the Year" at the 8th Wish 107.5 Music Awards.

2023: COM•PLEX

Felip began his production for his debut solo EP while he was on the WYAT (Where You At) Tour, SB19's first world tour, in late 2022; he wrote some of the lyrics during flights. Felip released the lead single "Rocksta" on January 19, 2023, along with its black-and-white music video. On February 3, his debut EP Complex was released under Warner Music Philippines. A six-track hip-hop record, it has a heavy composition and takes inspiration from hip-hop and rock. Felip described Complex as "a play on the many meanings of the word complex" and more confident and musically experimental. It has lyrics in English and Cebuano. Journalists described the EP as autobiographical and unapologetic. On February 10, he released the music video for the EP's closing song "Straydogs", which was filmed in Japan. Felip later did live performances of the EP's songs called "Superior Sessions Live".

On September 12, Felip performed at Music Matters Live 2023 in Singapore, marking his first solo performance at an international music festival. The following day, he then did a solo show in Clarke Quay.

On November 8, Felip released his rendition of Never the Strangers’ “Moving Closer” as part of ‘The Classic Cover’ series in celebration of Warner Music Philippines’ 30th anniversary.

On December 20, Felip joined Aegis and Jose Mari Chan for a holiday-themed concert. One of the producers explained that he was a unanimous pick because “he is from Cagayan De Oro (CDO), and his music resonates with AEGIS on a personal level”.

On December 22, Felip released an unannounced single entitled “Kanako”, which is a departure from his signature rap style, and features a primarily rock sound with lyrics in both Cebuano and English. The song went on to reach #1 on the iTunes Philippines chart less than 12 hours after its release.

2024: Collaborations and 7sins

On January 5, Felip announced a performance at 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub with PLAYERTWO. He later teased a song collaboration with the 5-piece band to be released on January 19.

On January 13, Felip opened for the Asia Pacific Predator League 2024 Grand Finals. He also had a special collaboration with Ylona Garcia. In the same event, he closed the show with his group, SB19, alongside Philippines’ Popstar royalty, Sarah Geronimo.

On January 16, he held a birthday live performance at 12 Monkeys Music Hall & Pub and sang for the first time their highly anticipated collaborative single “FLYYY” with Playertwo. Beyond accidentally revealing the music video for “FLYYY”, the two acts also unveiled another joint track titled “Pagdali”, to be released at a later date. On January 21, two days after the digital release of the song, “FLYYY” music video was dropped. Later, he announced the release of their second collaborative single “Pagdali”. The song was released digitally midnight of February 2, and the music video soon followed at 8pm PHT.

On February 9, Felip headlined Lucky Chinatown Countdown to Chinese New Year. He also performed at the grand unmasking of Phirst Park Homes in Bacolod on February 17. Felip was also one of the performers of BingoPlus Share the Love Share the Luck on March 1.

On April 4, Felip dropped a pre-save link of a new single, “Fake Faces”. The song was released immediately that midnight (April 5), and the music video at 8pm PHT. "Fake Faces" was co-written with Grammy-nominated songwriter/producer Seann Bowe (Wiz Khalifa, All That Remains, The Veronicas), and produced by internationally-acclaimed producer Hyuk Shin, founder of the 153/Joombas Music Group. It marked a departure from the hip-hop sound that he debuted with in his EP, COMPLEX. Felip revealed he made a 2-day trip “to Malaysia to work on everything from the track to the music and lyric videos.”

On April 15, 2024, Felip graced the cover of Billboard Philippines’ Hip-hop Rookies of the Year issue. He was named one of the “8 rising artists who are determined to bring the genre from the streets to the rest of the world.”

In April, Felip teased a partnership with PUBG Mobile Philippines. The campaign spun a commercial, Superior Pass, where fans and players alike could collect his voice pack, a frame, and an avatar for free through certain missions and game live streams where he got to play with fans and players.

On May 10, 2024, Felip announced the forthcoming release of his debut solo full-length album entitled 7sins. On July 5, 2024, 7sins was released on digital streaming platforms. Felip described the nine-track album as a "journey of acknowledging human shortcomings," with the songs representing the seven deadly sins and the feelings and emotions associated with each sin. The album entered Billboard Japan's Top Albums and Hot Albums charts at #23 and #25, respectively.

To promote the album, Felip held his first solo headlining concert "7sins The Album Concert" on July 27, 2024 at SPACE at One Ayala Mall in Makati. Billboard Philippines praised Felip's ability to command the stage and also lauded the production design, writing that the concert's conceptual vision was "brilliantly brought to life through meticulous attention to detail," with each segment successfully capturing the atmosphere and mood associated with each sin.

On August 21, 2024, Felip released the music video for "envy," the album's title track. On the same day, he also released a Japan-exclusive physical CD of 7sins containing a bonus track entitled "tokyo." During the pre-order period in July, he became the first Filipino artist to secure the top spot of CDJapan's all-genre ranking in its 27-year history. The CD also topped amazon.com.jp's Hip-hop Category on the second day of pre-order. Upon its release, the physical CD promptly sold out at the Warner Music Japan store.

On August 30, 2024, Felip held a signing event at Tower Records Shibuya to promote 7sins ahead of his album concert in Tokyo. On September 2, 2024, the "7sins The Album Concert" was held at the Duo Music Exchange in Shibuya, Tokyo.

2025-present: Solo activities and 7sins concert album

Amid SB19’s major comeback in 2025, group activities took precedence, including another world tour to support their third EP, Simula At Wakas, which was released in April 2025. Still, Felip continued to fit in solo activities in between group schedules. On January 12 and 13, he performed at the D.U.N.K. (Dance Universe Never Killed) Showcase in Yokohama, Japan alongside Japanese acts such as Sky-Hi, Kaito Takahashi, Psychic Fever, &Team, Be:First, and Mazzel.

As part of a brand collaboration with Closeup Philippines, new versions of Felip's cover of Never the Strangers’ “Moving Closer” were released: an R&B version ("Moving Closer - From the Cafe") in February and a more upbeat version ("Moving Closer - From the Lounge) in April.

To mark the anniversary of 7sins, Felip released 7sins the album concert (live) across streaming platforms on September 16. The concert album, consisting of twelve tracks, features live recordings from his 7sins concert in Manila in July 2024.

On November 16, Felip received two awards at the 38th Awit Awards, winning the jury-based award for Best Vocal Arrangement for the 7sins track “ache” alongside co-producer Luke Gabriel Isnani, as well as the fan-voted People’s Voice Award for Favorite Solo Artist.

On November 26, Felip joined the lineup of performers at the final installment of the concert series We Play Here, presented as “We Play Here: The Final Act,” where he performed select tracks from 7sins as well as his collaborations with fellow performer PLAYERTWO.

Artistry

Influences

Felip is a fan of metal and rock bands such as IV of Spades, Slipknot, Korn, Metallica, FM Static, Sleeping with Sirens, and Paramore. He also likes hip-hop bands and, influenced by his religious upbringing, gospel bands. Felip's inspirations for "Bulan" included Post Malone, Lay Zhang, One Ok Rock and Jaden Smith. He cited hip-hop artists such as Al James, Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Post Malone, Kid Cudi, and Lil Uzi Vert as inspirations for Complex. He has also cited BTS member RM and Exo's Kai as his favorite K-pop artists. He is also a fan of R&B music and singer Daniel Caesar.

Musical style

Each member of SB19 has distinct musical tastes and styles which they are able to showcase more fully in their solo work. Felip considers his solo work as a way to explore genres of music other than his band's P-pop, stating that his songs as Felip are more experimental. His deep bass voice, once a point of insecurity for him, now features heavily in both SB19's music and his solo projects. However, he is noted for possessing a wide vocal range, and being able to do falsetto. He considers his musical style to be "hip-hop metal rock" with R&B influences. After the release of Complex, HipHopDX Asia's MC Galang wrote that there was "no set precedent" for pop stars in the Philippine music industry successfully crossing over to another genre, like Felip has.

Felip, who speaks Cebuano, Filipino, and English, chose to highlight the Cebuano language in Complex, because Cebuano-language rap and artists have received less attention in the Philippines.

Public image

Filipino magazines such as Nylon Manila have highlighted Felip's "experimental" fashion choices, writing that he blends menswear and womenswear together. He has been described as the most reserved member of SB19. NME's Tanu I. Raj, after interviewing the band, wrote that "Ken remains the tempered, silent pillar throughout, speaking only when the others prod him to, and only after glancing at them from the corner of his eye."

Discography

Album

Extended plays

As lead artist

As featured artist

Videography

Music videos

Live performances

Concerts

Solo Concerts

Joint Concerts

Showcases

Guest Appearances

Music Festivals

Performances on Award Shows and Specials

Awards and nominations

Further reading

• Angan, Kara (February 16, 2023). . HipHopDX.
• . DWNU. February 24, 2023.
• Franco, Kai (February 10, 2023). . Wonder.