Felip (singer)

Felip Jhon Suson (born January 12, 1997), known mononymously as Felip (stylized in all caps) or by stage name Ken, is a Filipino singer-songwriter, rapper, dancer, and producer.

He is the main dancer, lead rapper, and vocalist of the Filipino boy band SB19.

Felip Jhon Suson was born on January 12, 1997, in Pagadian, Zamboanga del Sur.

He has bisdák (Cebuano) roots.

He was raised by his grandparents in Lakewood, Zamboanga del Sur with a religious upbringing.

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.

Felip 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.

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.

The group debuted in October 2018.

They initially struggled to gain attention from the public before rising to fame after their song went viral the next year.

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".

Their discography includes the album Get in the Zone (2020) and two extended plays (EPs).

Felip has a wide vocal range and is known for his distinctive deep voice.

Felip started going by his mononym for his solo projects starting from the release of his debut solo single "Palayo" in 2021.

He released another single titled "Bulan" in 2022 before releasing his debut solo EP COM • PLEX in 2023.

The latter two works are hip hop-orientated, in contrast with "Palayo", a slow R&B track.

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').

The Philippine Daily Inquirer later wrote that SB19 became the leaders of the Pinoy pop (P-pop) industry.

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 tracka departure from SB19's energetic pop styleabout someone walking away from a relationship, with lyrics in Cebuano, Filipino, and English.

Using the mononym Felip (stylized FELIP) for his solo projects, Felip was the first SB19 member to start a solo career.