Baby Blue (group)

Baby Blue (Japanese: ベイビーブルー; stylized in all caps) is a Filipino girl group and first sub-unit of idol group MNL48. They debuted with the lead single Sweet Talking Sugar in September 2020, which topped in Egg Music charts in Japan. Baby Blue is one of the first Filipino artists to make it to Japanese music charts.[1][2]

Baby Blue
OriginManila, Philippines
Genres
Years active2020 (2020)–present
Labels
Associated actsMNL48
AKB48
AKB48 Group
MembersColeen Trinidad
Amy Isidto
Frances Pinlac
Past membersJan Elaurza

Career

2020: formation

On September 1, MNL48 announced the formation of Baby Blue, the group's first-ever sub-unit, in partnership with Tower Records Japan, a major Japanese music retailer. Said sub-unit is formed by MNL48 members Jan Elaurza, Coleen Trinidad and Amy Isidto.[3] Following the announcement, Baby Blue officially released its debut single titled "Sweet Talking Sugar", and was made available through EGGS, a Japanese digital music subscription service.[4] The single, according to HHE, is an homage to the famous city pop genre, with a modern take via "the R&B and hip-hop genre". An official music video, produced by Carlo Manatad of Plan C,[5] was released on GYAO!, Yahoo Japan's free online streaming site on September 16 and on MNL48's official YouTube channel on the next day.

2021–2022: "Stuck On You"

Baby Blue released teasers such as pre-saved posters and audio snippets for their third single in March 29, 2021. In April 21 of the same year Baby Blue released their third digital single "Stuck On You". This song is a straight love song with a pop beat and a light sound. The pre-order of the song started on April 7.[6] In May 28, 2021, the group launched their official fans club site where live videos, blogs, and other info can only be seen there. Subsequently, on the same day, they also opened their official YouTube channel and showed content that can only be seen there, such as cover videos, songs and dance covers of Japanese songs.[7]

In December 15, 2021, the group released their first major single, "Head Up". The track release marks the fourth single released by the group and their first ballad. It is also the group's major debut in Japan. "HEAD UP" was released in advance on December 15 and will be re-released on February 19, 2022.[8][9]

On June 30, 2022, after her 4 years in the group, Baby Blue's leader Jan Elaurza announced her graduation from MNL48, she also announced departure from the unit. On the same day, it was announced on the official website of Baby Blue that Frances Pinlac of MNL48 Team L will be replacing Jan.[10]

Influences

Baby Blue was influenced by Japanese popular music genres, such as City pop and J-pop. They are also inspired by AKB48.

Other ventures

On December 20, 2020, the group performed on ABS-CBN's "Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya: The ABS-CBN Christmas Special" pre-show entitled "KTnX ang Babait Ninyo: ABS-CBN Christmas Special Fundraising Show" for the segment "P-pop RISE" with MNL48, BGYO, PHP and Bini, a benefit show for the survivors and evacuees in areas hit by typhoons such as Rolly and Ulysses.[11][12][13]

Members

Current members

  • Coleen Trinidad (MNL48 Team NIV) 2020–present
  • Amy Isidto (MNL48 Team L) 2020–present
  • Frances Pinlac (MNL48 Team L) 2022–present

Past members

  • Jan Elaurza (Former MNL48 Team MII) 2020–2022

Discography

Singles

Title Details
Sweet Talking Sugar
Negastar
Stuck on You
Head Up

Peak Charts

Title Details Year Peak chart positions
Philippines
MYX Hit Chart[14] Pinoy MYX Countdown[15] MYX Daily Top 10[16] MYX Most Viewed iTunesPH Top 100 Albums

[17]

"Sweet Talking Sugar" 2020 2 1 2
"Negastar" 7 4 7 23
"Stuck on You" 2021 4
"Head Up" 2 2 1

Filmography

  • iWant ASAP (2020)

Concert

  • KTnX ANG BABAIT NINYO: THE KTX FUNDRAISING CHRISTMAS SPECIAL — P-Pop Rise[11][12][18]

Related pages

References

  1. "MNL48 Newest Trio BABY BLUE dominated Japanese music chart". P-Portal. September 1, 2020.[dead link]
  2. "MNL48 sub-unit Baby Blue releases 1st music video". Digital Life Asia. September 17, 2020.
  3. "MNL48 UNIT GROUP BABY BLUE DEBUTS WITH "SWEET TALKING SUGAR"". MYX Philippines. September 8, 2020.
  4. "「Sweet Talking Sugar」BABY BLUEのAudio楽曲ページ|インディーズバンド音楽配信サイトEggs". eggs.mu (in 日本語). Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  5. "BABY BLUE Unleashes "Sweet Talking Sugar" Music Video". myx.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  6. "フィリピン・マニラを拠点に活動するMNL48新ユニット・BABY BLUE、3rdデジタルシングルリリース決定!". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1|PR TIMES. Retrieved 2021-04-21.
  7. "Baby Blue launches Official Fan Club Site and Youtube". Baby Blue launches Official Fan Club Site and Youtube. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  8. Domingo, Danielle (2021-12-17). "Baby Blue Debuts "Head Up," First Major Single and Music Video". MYX Global. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  9. "【インタビュー】MNL48のユニットBaby Blue、日本デビュー曲は自身初バラード「新たに成熟した感じを」". BARKS (in 日本語). Retrieved 2022-11-25.
  10. "Baby Blue Announcement". Baby Blue Announcement. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  11. 11.0 11.1 "KathNiel, MayWard, LizQuen and more star in fundraiser ahead of ABS-CBN Christmas Special" (in en). rappler.com. https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/celebrities/celebrities-fundraiser-abs-cbn-christmas-special-2020. Retrieved 2021-04-12. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 "ABS-CBN Christmas special to benefit typhoon victims" (in en). manilatimes.net. https://www.manilatimes.net/2020/12/19/lifestyle-entertainment/show-times/abs-cbn-christmas-special-to-benefit-typhoon-victims/813299/. Retrieved 2021-04-12. 
  13. "KTNX CHRISTMAS SPECIAL". behance.net. Retrieved 2021-02-18.
  14. Peak chart positions in the Philippines:
  15. Peak chart positions in the Philippines:
  16. Peak chart positions in the Philippines:
  17. Peak chart positions in the Philippines:
  18. KTX. "KTnX Ang Babait Ninyo: The KTX Fundraising Christmas Special". KTX. Archived from the original on 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2021-01-16.

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