Josh Cullen (musician)

Josh Cullen Alberto Santos (born October 22, 1993), occasionally known as Josh Cullen, is a Filipino singer, producer, songwriter, dancer, and a professional gamer. He is the lead rapper[1] and vocalist[2] of the Filipino boy band SB19 managed under 1Z Entertainment.

In this article, the surname is Santos.
Josh Cullen
Born
Josh Cullen Santos

(1993-10-22) October 22, 1993
Las Pinas, Philippines
Occupations
Years active2018–present
Musical career
Genres
InstrumentsVocals
Labels
Member ofSB19

Early life

Cullen was born on October 22, 1993, in Imus, Cavite, Philippines[3] to Aldrene Stephanie Santos. He is the youngest in the family along with three siblings.[4] He revealed on a YouTube vlog that a single mother raised him and he never met his biological father.[3] In the same tell-all vlog, Santos revealed that he was a victim of domestic violence by their nanny while their mother was at work.[3] Santos and family struggled financially leading to his intermittent schooling, and graduated high school at a later age.[3] After graduating, Santos worked as a computer technician and a call center agent prior to auditioning as a talent.[3]

Career

2016–2018: Pre-debut

In 2016, South Korean entertainment company ShowBT branched out in the Philippines and opened a talent audition for Filipinos aspiring to become professional performers.[5] Santos among the participants, and was chosen later on for a 5-piece boy band. Santos then underwent South Korean-style training that is rampant for K-Pop bands prior to debut, which included voice and dance classes, body conditioning, personality development, and the like.[6] On several accounts, the SB19 members recalled how rigorous the sessions were wherein hours of nonstop and unpaid training daily while juggling with their work.[6] But more than the training, it was the threat of failing their weekly evaluation and the possibility of being eliminated.[6] According to Santos in an interview,

“...the weekly evaluations were really nerve-wracking. That’s the performance that you’ll have to prepare for. Other trainees and teachers will watch you[...]You’ll really get nervous. And if you don’t perform well, you’ll be eliminated right away."

— Josh

During his training, he drew inspirations from Filipino hip hop artists Loonie, Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, and Smugglaz. He also admired the styles of Bigbang's G-Dragon, and BTS.[7]

2018–2022: Debut as SB19 and breakthrough
Main article: SB19

On October 26, 2018, Santos debuted with fellow members Pablo, Stell, Justin, and Ken as P-Pop group known as SB19. Their debut single "Tilaluha" was written by fellow member Pablo but its success was not widely acclaimed.[8][9] With a message centered on heartbreak and unrequited love, the song was intended to introduce the band and their powerful vocals in which it debuted poorly to charts. The initial poor reception for the group and their singles almost led to the band's disbandment.[10] SB19's second single "Go Up" was released on July 19, 2019.[11] They described the song as their "last shot" because they had decided to disband if their career did not progress after.[12] The group would gain public attention after the dance practice video of the song was uploaded which was later shared by a fan on Twitter and Facebook.[13] Opportunities opened and the group started to appear in multiple radio and television outlets, both local and internationally.[14] On 2021, SB19 became the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act to be nominated in Billboard Music Awards for Top Social Artist along with BTS, Blackpink, Ariana Grande, and Seventeen—which BTS won.[15][16] It marked the first-ever appearance of a Filipino artist in the Billboard Music Awards.[16]

In 2022, Santos joined his independent musician cousins Ocho the Bullet and Carrot Mayor on their track "Sofa (Remix)", released on YouTube and Apple Music.[17]

2023–present: Wild Tonight, debut as solo artist

On February 24, Josh Cullen made his debut as a solo artist, releasing a single called "Wild Tonight". He co-produced the material with Ace Santos, his cousin.[18]

Discography
Main article: SB19 discography

As lead artist
List of singles showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Wild Tonight" 2023 Non-album single
"Pakiusap Lang" 2023 Non-album single

Production credits

All song credits are adapted from the Tidal, unless otherwise noted.[19]

Year Artist(s) Song Album Lyricist Composer Ref.
Credited With Credited With
2020 SB19 "Go Up" Get in the Zone Yes
  • Pablo
  • Felip
  • Stell
  • Josh
  • Justin
  • Oh Won Lee
  • Glow
 No — [20][21]
2022 Ocho the Bullet "Sofa" Remix Non-album single Yes
  • Carrot Mayor
 No — [22]
2023 Josh Cullen "Wild Tonight" Non-album single Yes Yes
  • Albert Christian “Ace” Santos
 [23]
SB19 "Crimzone" PAGTATAG! Yes — Yes

Awards and nominations
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s)/work(s) Result Ref.
Nylon Manila BBB Awards 2022 Favorite Viral Game Streamer Josh Cullen Santos Won [24]
Tier One Entertainment 2021 IRL People Choice Award Josh Cullen Santos Won [25]

References
  1. "The boys from nowhere: SB19, Filipino pop idols, on their rise". South China Morning Post. March 15, 2020. Archived from the original on March 15, 2020. Retrieved October 6, 2020.
  2. "SB19". Spotify. Archived from the original on February 19, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  3. "My Painful Experiences Before SB19 - Josh Cullen (Q&A)". YouTube. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTzHB1e6BrQ, retrieved August 13, 2023
  5. "SB19's continuous growth is my fave underdog story". Scout Magazine. July 24, 2020. Archived from the original on August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  6. "SB19 Proves How Filipinos Are Talented in the Kpop Industry". www.allkpop.com. AllKpop. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  7. "Want to be an A'TIN?: A beginner's guide to SB19". www.rappler.com. Rappler. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  8. "WATCH: SB19 debuts 'Tilaluha' MV feat. BNF's Harang and Ms. Korea Philippines 2018 | KStreetManila". October 26, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  9. Lopez, Jacinda A. (September 5, 2019). "What You Need To Know About SB19, The Pinoy Boy Group The Internet Can't Stop Talking About". COSMO.PH. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  10. Losa, Rogin. "SB19 on their new album and why "Go Up" is so important". scoutmag.ph. Scout Mag. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  11. Orio-Escullar, Honey. "SB19 is newest P-pop idol in town". The Philippine Star. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  12. "Why SB19 is the Pinoy boy group to watch out for". cnn. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  13. "SB19, all-Pinoy boy group who trained in South Korea, goes viral". ABS-CBN News. September 4, 2019. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved August 5, 2020.
  14. Gloria, Gaby (February 19, 2020). "Why SB19 is the Pinoy boy group to watch out for". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  15. Kaufman, Gil (April 29, 2021). "the Billboard Music Awards 'The List Live' Livestream". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  16. "BTS Accept the Top Social Media Artist Award at the Billboard Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  17. "LISTEN: Josh Cullen of SB19 Trends Worldwide!". www.onemusic.ph. OneMusic. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  18. "SB19's JOSH CULLEN reinvents himself as a Pop Star with debut single "WILD TONIGHT"". villagepipol.com. Village Pipol. Retrieved February 24, 2023.
  19. "John Paulo Nase - Credits". listen.tidal.com. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  20. "Go Up by SB19". Sony Music. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019 – via Tidal.
  21. "エラー画面 | J-WID". www2.jasrac.or.jp. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  22. "Sofa feat. Josh Cullen & Carrot Mayor". Sony Music. July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  23. "WILD TONIGHT by Josh Cullen". Sony Music Philippines. February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via Apple Music.
  24. Bautista, Rafael (June 24, 2022). "Big Winners Big Bold Brave Awards 2022". nylonmanila.com. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  25. "Tier One Entertainment IRL Awards 2021". tier.one. December 12, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
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