Music has always been a place of cultural blending.
Jazz makes a prime example. Formed through the integration of American and European classical music with African folk songs — its combination created something unique that has transcended decades of the music scene.
The music industry is constantly growing. Sounds expand, different elements get introduced, and cultural styles mix. Individual musicians are harder to label as just one thing. No longer is someone just R&B or just pop — the genre boxes have blended and overlapped.
As we continue to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month this May, we’ve rounded up 15 Asian and Pacific Islander musicians who are redefining the music industry. Simply find your vibe, and we’ll suggest you a new artist. Give them a follow, repost them, and stream often. In this house, we support each other!
If your vibe is soft summer tunes, lowercase texts, Rex Orange County, and Clairo, you’ll love:
khai dreams
khai dreams is a half-Vietnamese indie singer-songwriter.
Beabadoobee
beabadoobee is an indie singer-songwriter from the Philippines, raised in London. [Editor's note: They also appear twice on the Heartstopper soundtrack!!!!!!!!!]
Sundial
sundial is an indie-pop duo made up of Disu Kim and Dorothy Chan.
If your vibe is indie pop, Maggie Rogers, and driving with the windows down, you’ll love:
Sarah Kinsley
Sarah Kinsley is an American singer and musician.
If your vibe is retro indie pop-rock, the Smiths, and stuff that sounds like its playing from a jukebox, you’ll love:
Dirty Beaches
Dirty Beaches (aka Alex Zhang Hungtai) is a Taiwanese-born Canadian musician.
The Chairs
The Chairs is a Taiwanese indie music group.
If your vibe is alt-pop, hip-hop, feminine rage, and entering your reputation era, you’ll love:
Rei Ami
Rei Ami is a Korean-American alt-pop rapper.
If your vibe is bubblegum-y pop, Lorde, and happy but actually kind of sad bops, you’ll love:
Alex Porat
Alex Porat is a Canadian pop singer-songwriter.
If your vibe is nuanced, alternative R&B, SZA, jazz lilted vocals, and walking with your headphones on, you’ll love:
Raveena
Raveena is an Indian-American singer-songwriter.
ASHWARYA
Ashwarya is an Indian-Australian singer-songwriter.
Umi
Umi is a Japanese-American singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles.
If your vibe is contemporary R&B, Doja Cat, Khalid, and dancing in your bedroom, you’ll love:
Audrey Nuna
Audrey Nuna is an American R&B singer and rapper.
If your vibe is folksy tunes, the Lumineers, Florence and the Machine, cottage-core, and running through a meadow, you’ll love:
Arooj Aftab
Arooj Aftab is a Grammy-winning Pakistani singer, composer, and producer.
- Last Night
- Mohabbat (a favorite of Barack Obama!)
Prateek Kuhad
Prateek Kuhad is an Indian indie singer-songwriter.
Run River North
Run River North is a Korean-American indie-folk-rock trio.
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