AAPI Heritage Month Playlist

When I first came to the U.S. as a high schooler, I wanted to be a singer-songwriter. Growing up in China, I started listening to English songs as a way to learn the language, but eventually fell in love with the art and craft of it, and started writing my own songs. But within a year, I had the realization that I probably would never make it as a singer-songwriter here in America—the biggest reason being that I simply did not see or know of any Asian artists who had made it big here. That was back in 2011. 

Anyway, the whole point of me telling this personal story that no one asked for is this: It is now 2021 and a lot has changed. In the past years, more and more talented AAPI musicians have made a splash. In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, I asked some friends to help me start building out a playlist on Spotify to highlight musicians in our community, and I want to share it with you all. 

Here it is, in all its diverse and interesting glory. Some of my personal favorite artists on this list include Audrey Luna, Yaeji, Peggy Gou, Raveena… but listen all the way through, because there’s something for everyone here. 

And side note: The playlist is open for collab ;) 

—Mimi Li, Development Assistant