SB19, Japan’s Kento Nakajima team up for cross-border collaboration on ‘Gento’

MANILA — P-pop group SB19 has joined forces with Japanese singer-actor Kento Nakajima for a new version of “Gento,” which is out now all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

The song premiered on stage at SUMMER SONIC 2026 Tokyo last August 15, when the two acts performed it together and sent the crowd into a frenzy. 

“Gento’s” is SB19’s signature song and their most-streamed solo track in Japan. 

The collaboration grew out of a TikTok project with Nakajima that was filmed during SB19’s visit to Japan last year, which became a major talking point on social media and led to the production of an official collaboration track.

The song features special lyrics partly written by Nakajima himself. It carries on the themes of “Gento” such as success, hard work, and proving your worth, while adding a fresh side of Nakajima.

“We’re truly happy to have collaborated with Kento,” SB19 said in a press release.

“This collaboration has also reminded us of the power of music. It has been a while since we released ‘Gento,’ but its message, its musicality, and its goal of changing people’s lives through the beat have not faded at all, and they continue to reach many hearts,” the group added.

For SB19, Nakajima was a perfect fit for the collaboration. 

“We met him last year and reunited at SUMMER SONIC. Through those experiences, we saw how naturally he connects with people and embodies the energy and message that ‘GENTO’ stands for,” the P-pop powerhouse added.

Nakajima, meanwhile, has nothing but praise for SB19. 

“Since the SUMMER SONIC performance, music fans in general, not just fans of the two acts, have been eagerly waiting for the release. With today’s launch, this historic collaboration goes beyond the excitement of the venue and reaches fans around the world,” he said.