SPOTLIGHT: YGIG is here to represent Filipina power on the global stage

FOUR years of rigorous training have prepared the new girl group YGIG (You Go, I Go) to represent Filipino girl groups and Filipino culture in the global music scene. 

The five-member girl group, composed of Alexei, Hazelyn, Jewel, Maeg, and Vien, is the latest addition to the ever-expanding P-pop landscape and the first girl group formed under SBTown, the former label of P-pop Kings SB19. 

Originally a seven-member group, the group made their official debut in November 2022 with the debut single, “Shaba Shaba,” a wordplay from the Filipino phrase “Siya Ba?” 

The hip-hop song, produced under Universal Records, is a “song of empowerment” according to the group as it depicts a girl persevering to achieve the best version of herself. 

As one of the promising girl groups today, YGIG often devotes eight to nine hours of training to improve their vocal and dance skills and further develop their well-established group bond. 

Their fans, known as “WeGo,” often called the group an all-rounder as members have no specific roles in the group. All of the members are trained to excel in singing, dancing, and rapping. 

In June 2023, YGIG officially made their comeback with “Doob Doob,” derived from the sound of the heartbeat. The track navigates the beauty of first love and various ways of conveying feelings to someone. 

Three more singles were released by the group, including “Touchdown,” “BB,” and “IDKY.” 

The four tracks, along with their debut single, became part of the group’s first-ever mini album called “YLGOIVGE,” which was released in July 2023. 

The album title is an anagram of the group’s name YGIG and LOVE. The songs are chronologically arranged to tell the complicated journey of loving someone and getting lost in love. 

A few weeks after the EP release, the group held its first-ever concert comeback entitled “Green Light,” in August at the SM North EDSA Skydome. 

The group closed their 2023 musical journey with the release of their Christmas single, “Maligaya Ang Pasko,” in collaboration with P-pop group PLUUS. This was the first time the two groups collaborated on a song. 

The group kicked off their 2024 journey with the release of “Universe” and embarked on a series of mall shows across the country as part of the SBTown Universe Tour, along with their labelmates PLUUS. 

As an all-rounder girl group, YGIG hopes to represent Filipino culture on the global stage and show to the world what a Filipino girl group is capable of in terms of musical talents. 

YGIG and PLUUS are set to perform at the upcoming Waterbomb Festival in August, making them the first P-pop groups to grace the stage of the said event. 

This article is part of the June RA Spotlight. Vote for YGIG in the poll here. Follow republicasia on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to get the latest.