Bazinga (song)

In 2020, SB19 released their debut studio album Get in the Zone,[6] which include singles "Go Up" (2019) and "Alab (Burning)" (2019),[6] both of which have mostly pop and EDM music influences. In early-2021, the boy band teased their comeback era[7] and released the lead single off their upcoming extended play (EP), "What?" (2021).[8] Later that year, SB19's first EP, Pagsibol, was released on July 22, 2021,[9] which ventures into different music genres in contrast to the boy band's previous album release, including ballad, R&B, EDM, hip hop, tropical pop, and among others.[9] Songs "Mapa" (2021) and "Bazinga" were among the songs included in the EP's release.[9]

SB19 faced multiple criticisms throughout their career, some of which criticized their physical appearance,[10] style of clothing,[11] and was accused of copying the Korean music culture and that the boy band is not promoting the pure Filipino talents.[11] In an interview with Toni Gonzaga-Soriano, the boy band opens up about their journey, where band member, Josh stated, "It's not a big deal anymore, so far, and especially these days, because we receive more love than hate."[12]

Through Sony Music Philippines,[13] "Bazinga" was initially released as a promotional single on July 22, 2021, coinciding with the release of their EP, Pagsibol.[14] Following the premiere of its music video on October 29, 2021, it was later revealed by various local news outlets that "Bazinga" was released as the third single taken from their EP.[1][2] In November 2021, Billboard confirmed the song's release after it entered the Hot Trending Songs chart.[3]

John Paulo Nase[lower-alpha 2] wrote "Bazinga" and co-produced it alongside Canadian-Filipino music producer, Simon Servida.[15][16][17] Hyun Jeong Ko mixed the song, while Nam Woo Kwon did the mastering.[18] "Bazinga" has a length of three minutes and 22 seconds.[13]

Various media outlets described "Bazinga" as a trap-pop-produced, reggaeton-infused hip-hop song.[9][19][20] The song also features hard-hitting beats, loud horns, high tension and energy.[1] Hannah Lorenzo of Indiana Daily Student described the song as a "motivational speech" with lyrics combined with a hard-hitting beat and rap.[21]

As SB19 faces criticisms, "Bazinga" includes lyrics that talk about self-empowerment.[22] The song was also written as a response to the increasing hate that the boy band received on the internet during their music career. Additionally described as a "wake-up call", the boy band went to focus on the meaningful expressions of art and music.[1]

Weeks after the release of the song's accompanying music video on October 29, 2021, "Bazinga" debuted on the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart on November 13, 2021, at number nine,[23] and peaked at number one on December 11, 2021,[24] making SB19 the first Filipino act to top the Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart.[25] The chart performance was attributed to the boy band's performance of the song at the 34th Awit Awards that garnered a total of 1.5 million Twitter mentions.[26] "Bazinga" currently spent a total of 23-weeks on the chart, including seven weeks at number one,[27][28] initially beating BTS's record for the most weeks spent at number one with their single "Butter" (2021).[25][26][29] One month after the release of its accompanying music video, the song has accumulated over 4.6 million streams on Spotify.[30]

Jonathan Tal Placido directed the accompanying music video for "Bazinga",[31][32] which premiered on YouTube on October 29, 2021.[33][21] SB19 promoted their third-anniversary concert, Our Zone (2021) via their social media accounts, where they also teased the accompanying music video for the song, days prior to its release.[34][35]

A still from the music video, where SB19 is seen cheering for each other after winning a game called Bazinga.

The design and theme of the music video mainly consist of graffiti.[21][31] Inspired by video games,[21] the music video starts with SB19 seen hanging around while preparing for a video game called Bazinga. An alter ego of themselves can be seen in the video game where they imitate a fight against their enemies in an underground arena.[33] Mostly they can be seen dancing, which in one scene, they are wearing black and red martial arts uniforms while performing on a stage.[2][33] After they approach a bright orange hallway, SB19 is shown cheering for each other while an in-game voice declares that they have won.[33] As of January 2022, the music video has over four million views.[18][36]

It was reported that the music video came with three easter eggs, all of which relate to SB19's career. The easter eggs consist of the release date of the boy band's debut single, "Tilaluha" (2018); the release date of the dance practice video for their second single, "Go Up" (2019) that went viral on Twitter; and an easter egg that serves as a tribute of the boy band's fandom, A'TIN.[31]

SB19 premiered "Bazinga" on television in ASAP Natin 'To on August 8, 2021.[19] The boy band included the song on the set list of their third-anniversary concert, Our Zone (2021).[37] The boy band later performed the song at the 34th Awit Awards on November 29, 2021, after being nominated for four awards, including the Peoples’ Voice Favorite Song award for their 2020 song, “Hanggang sa Huli”.[26][38] In March 2022, SB19 performed the song in the Wish 107.5 Bus in Quezon City, which gained special attraction among audiences.[22][39] Weeks later, SB19 and Niana Guerrero collaborated to perform the song at a crosswalk in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, along with other songs, "What?" (2021) and "Go Up" (2019) as part of their "crosswalk concert".[40][41]

Credits are adapted from Tidal[17] and its music video.[18]

• SB19 – main vocals
• John Paulo Nase[lower-alpha 2] – writer, producer
• Simon Servida – producer
• Hyun Jeong Ko – mixing
• Nam Woo Kwon – mastering