SB19's Josh on the Rise of P-Pop: 'It's All About Authenticity'

The P-Pop (Pinoy Pop, in relation to K-Pop) phenomenon seems unstoppable, which is a good thing, as it gives more local artists an avenue to break into the entertainment industry not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. One of the breakout artists from this growing genre is Josh Cullen, who is one of the members of the hugely popular P-pop group SB19.

P-Pop（Pinoy Pop，与K-Pop有关）现象似乎不可阻挡，这是一件好事，因为它给更多的本地艺术家提供了进入娱乐行业的渠道，不仅在菲律宾，而且在其他国家。乔希-库伦是这一不断增长的流派中的突围者之一，他是大受欢迎的P-流行音乐团体SB19的成员之一。

Josh recently dropped his solo debut single "Wild Tonight" to more than 500,000 views, clinching the fifth spot on Youtube's trending music videos. While the rapper plays a suave Twilight-esque Cullen vampire in the video, up close, he is more akin to a young Francis Magalona, with the same lithe build, street smart vibe, and an authentic energy in the way he engages with others.

乔希最近推出了他的个人首支单曲 "Wild Tonight"，获得了超过50万次的浏览量，在Youtube的热门音乐视频中位居第五。虽然这位说唱歌手在视频中扮演了一个风度翩翩的暮光之城式的库伦吸血鬼，但近距离看，他更像一个年轻的弗朗西斯-马加洛纳，有着同样轻盈的身材，街头的智慧气息，以及他与他人交往时的真实能量。

Hard knock life

硬碰硬的生活

The street smarts have been inculcated from his troubled childhood, a fact that he does not hide from his fans. Josh was self-supporting from the age of 15. A product of a solo parent family, he was hustling to provide for himself so he won't be a burden to his mom. 

他的街头智慧是在他困难的童年时期被灌输的，这一点他没有对他的粉丝隐瞒。乔希从15岁开始就自食其力。作为单亲家庭的产物，他一直在为自己的生活奔波，这样他就不会成为他妈妈的负担。

"At 15, I was working my ass off," he tells Esquire Philippines. "Since I love video games, tambay ako sa computer shop. Because I was knowledgeable sa computers, naging technician nila ako. Nag English tutor din ako na parang mini call center. I was also hustling on games like DOTA. I did whatever I needed to do to survive. Lahat ng diskarte ginawa ko, dinaan ko sa galing, at yung galing ko ay yung magaling ako makisama sa ibang tao."

"15岁时，我正在拼命工作，"他告诉菲律宾《Esquire》杂志。"因为我喜欢电子游戏，所以我在电脑店工作。因为我对电脑很有研究，所以我成为了一名技术员。我是一名英语家教，在小型呼叫中心工作。我还在DOTA等游戏上拉客。为了生存，我做了我需要做的一切。我制定的所有策略，我都非常出色地完成了，而我的出色之处在于我善于与他人相处。”

His early childhood dream was actually to be a doctor or a pilot, which shifted to being a professional gamer at around the age of 10. "My formal education lasted only up to Grade 3," he shares. "Then I pursued it when I got older. I took an Alternative Learning System course to pass high school, but I couldn't afford to go to college."

他早年的梦想实际上是成为一名医生或飞行员，在10岁左右转变为一名职业游戏玩家。"我的正规教育只持续到三年级，"他说。"然后我在长大后继续学习。我参加了替代学习系统课程，以通过高中，但我没有能力上大学"。

His passion for gaming proved to be the key to a better life. "I had no formal training in dancing. I learned to dance because of the Dance Dance Revolution game. Rapping came as a natural progression kasi influenced ako ng hip-hop culture. I listened to Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Loonie, Ron Henley, and Gloc-9. Mahilig din ako sa mga banda."

事实证明，他对游戏的热情是通往美好生活的关键。"我没有接受过正式的舞蹈训练。我是因为《舞蹈革命》游戏而学会跳舞的。说唱是一个自然的进步，因为它影响了我的嘻哈文化。我听过图帕克（Tupac）、史努比-道格（Snoop Dogg）、阿姆（Eminem）、卢尼（Loonie）、罗恩-亨利（Ron Henley）和格洛克-9。我也喜欢乐队。”

Josh chanced upon a dance performance by Stell (Ajero, his SB19 bandmate), and was inspired to try his luck in the entertainment industry. They were formally introduced at a dance competition, where he was chosen as Star of the Night, and was invited to be part of a dance troupe.

乔希偶然看到斯特尔（阿杰罗，他的SB19乐队成员）的舞蹈表演，受到启发，想在娱乐业试试运气。他们在一次舞蹈比赛中正式认识，他被选为当晚的明星，并被邀请成为一个舞蹈团的成员。

The group's training was hard, he says, especially since he was working at a BPO center at the same time. "Minsan nakakatulog ako sa work. Dumating sa point kinailangan ko pumili between work and my passion, and I chose this path."

他说，该团的训练很辛苦，特别是由于他同时在一个BPO中心工作。他说，该团的训练很辛苦，特别是由于他同时在一个BPO中心工作。

True grit

真正的勇气

The road to stardom is not easy, and Josh admits there were times he wanted to give up. His determination paid off, and he is now more optimistic that bigger things are yet to come. The 29-year-old says the first 26 years of life has been a long, hard journey. "There were times na feeling ko patapon ako. I was questioning why bad things were happening to me, and whether I deserved them."

通往明星的道路并不容易，乔希承认有几次他想放弃。他的决心得到了回报，他现在更加乐观地认为更大的事情还在后面。这位29岁的年轻人说，人生的前26年是一个漫长而艰难的旅程。"有的时候，我觉得自己是个傻瓜。我在质疑为什么坏事会发生在我身上，以及我是否应该得到它们"。

Through all of the challenges, music was his constant companion. "During the times that I was questioning myself, doon ako kumukuha ng lakas sa mga artists na pinakikinggan ko. I was by myself since I was 15, at walang nakakaintindi ng mga pinagdadaanan ko. Through the moments na wala akong makausap, nag-rely ako sa music na ginagawa ng mga idols ko. Ginawa ko silang mga role models, na someday I will be like them and give inspiration to others."   

在所有的挑战中，音乐是他永恒的伴侣。“在我质疑自己的时候，我从我所听的艺术家那里得到了力量。我从 15 岁起就一个人，没有人理解我正在经历什么。在我没有人倾诉的时刻对，我传达了我在我的偶像创作的音乐中的感受。我让他们成为榜样，总有一天我会像他们一样，给其他人带来灵感。”

Things have definitely changed for the better, with SB19's music awards, professional endorsements, and even an ambassadorship with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

随着SB19的音乐奖项、专业代言人，甚至是国家文化和艺术委员会的大使职位，事情肯定已经发生了好转。

"For 26 years talagang ginapang ko ang buhay namin, ginapang ko ang mga pangarap ko. Nuong naging artista ko, tapos nag-viral kami and na-recognize yung group, for the first time, naramdaman ko na ito na yung start of something na puwedeng magbago ng lahat, not just for me but for the entire industry." 

“26年来，我一直在为我的家庭、为我的朋友、为我的家人而努力。我在追逐我的梦想。当我成为一名艺术家，然后我们走红，这个团体得到认可，我第一次觉得这是一切都可以改变的事情的开始，不仅对我，对整个行业也是如此。”

In the beginning, he says people could not understand the concept of P-Pop. Haters called them copycats of K-Pop groups. He explains, "I think it's all about authenticity. Iyong experience natin as a Filipino, hindi natin mapepeke. We are telling our own stories. We are sharing our own experiences. Kung ano iyong kinalakihan namin, iyong environment natin, it's how it makes us P-Pop."

在开始时，他说人们不能理解P-Pop的概念。仇恨者称他们是K-Pop团体的模仿者。他解释说：“我认为这一切都与真实性有关。作为一个菲律宾人，我们无法伪造。我们在讲述自己的故事。我们在分享自己的经历。我们成长的地方，我们的环境，这就是它让我们成为 P-Pop 的方式”

Better days

更好的日子

As in one of their group's hit songs "Mapa," Josh is taking care of his mom, who is one of his biggest supporters. "Before nag-hihirap kami. Ngayon, kinuha ko na si Mommy ko. Binigay ko agad sa kanya iyong mga kailangan niya, especially with the house needs, lahat ng appliances. Stress-free na siya.  Hindi na siya magwo-work. Wala na siyang ibang iisipin." 

正如他们组合的热门歌曲之一 "Mapa"，乔希正在照顾他的妈妈，她是他最大的支持者之一。在我们受苦之前。现在，我带着我的妈妈。我立即给了他他需要的东西，尤其是家里需要的东西，所有的电器。他现在没有压力。他不会再工作了。他不会考虑别的。”

His solo endeavor, he says, reveals his 'authentic self and his true sound.' 

他说，他的个人努力，揭示了他的 "真实的自我和他的真实声音"。

"It is my dream to influence and give inspiration," he says. "I enjoy working with the group, may kanya-kanya kaming role, but this track ("Wild Tonight") is all me. They are very supportive and I will do my own work simultaneously with my work with the group."

"影响和给予灵感是我的梦想，"他说。“我喜欢和团队一起工作，我们每个人都有自己的角色，但这首曲子（"Wild Tonight"）是我的全部。他们非常支持我，我将在与小组合作的同时做我自己的工作"。

As someone who is now enjoying the fruits of his struggles, Josh shares this piece of advice to those who are experiencing hardships in life. 

作为一个现在正在享受他的奋斗成果的人，乔希向那些在生活中遇到困难的人分享了这个建议。

"Kapit lang. Kahit napapagod na kayo sa pinagdadaanan ninyo. Try to get out of your comfort zone and embrace change. Take opportunities, work hard, and work smart as well."

"没关系。即使你厌倦了你正在经历的事情。尝试走出你的舒适区，拥抱变化。抓住机会，努力工作，也要聪明地工作"。

Josh Cullen On 'wild Tonight,' Sb19, And More - Josh Cullen Sb19 Interview (esquiremag.ph)

照片拍得不錯 就搬過來了

翻譯都是機翻 湊合著看就好