Before they were known as “Press Hit Play,” the P-Pop group was called “PHP”in 2019 to attribute Philippine music. But later in 2020, the boy band announced a new name still maintaining the acronym “PHP” but emerging now as “Press Hit Play.” Lead vocalist Chrls said the reason behind this decision is they wanted to take the group “to a higher level.”
Before PHP existed, the band members were in different “groups” and doing their own individual pursuits until they decided to work together as a band, without holding any auditions. Lead dancer JP shared that they originally started as a “cover group” in KPOP events. But throughout, their influences are starting to form from KPOP, OPM, and some Western music. JP added that they are all collectively into 90s boy bands. They used all of these influences and made their own songs, reeling away from the label of “cover group.”
Main vocalist Sev shared that music has always been a part of his life since high school, influenced heavily by the KPOP genre. He originally wanted to be a part of a KPOP group, but knowing the odds, he opted to compete in KPOP singing competition instead. Not until P-Pop existed, and his life changed since.
“Since naging favorite ko that time yung KPOP, ayon nangarap ako maging isang member ng boy group,” JP said.