AANHPI Heritage Month: Artists Who Defined the Sound of Generations

This May, in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we at LALAL.AI put together a spotlight article on some iconic musicians who are part of the AANHPI community.

These artists haven’t just contributed to ethnic representation in the music industry; they’ve helped shape entire genres with their vision, sound, and legacy.

But before we dive into the playlist-worthy list, let’s break down the meaning and background of the AANHPI acronym.

AANHPI: Who’s Included and Why It Matters

AANHPI stands for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander, which is a broad term used in the U.S. to recognize people with origins in the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and the Pacific Islands.

This includes (but isn’t limited to): China, Japan, the Ryukyus, Taiwan, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Samoa, Thailand, and Vietnam; and from South Asia—India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.

The term gained more widespread recognition after Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was established in 1978 by the U.S. Congress. Later, in 1992, it was expanded to the full month of May. The choice of May wasn’t random; it commemorates the first Japanese immigrants arriving in the U.S. (May 7, 1843) and the significant role of Chinese workers in completing the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869).

Today, AANHPI Heritage Month serves as a reminder to celebrate this rich cultural mosaic and the creative contributions that have helped shape the arts, including music.

Pop Icons (aka “Wait, they’re AANHPI?!”)

Let’s kick it off with a few names that have left permanent marks on pop music—and also happen to be part of the AANHPI community.

Nicole Scherzinger

“Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me…” Yeah, that one. Former The Pussycat Dolls lead vocalist and now solo artist, actress, dancer and Broadway producer. Despite the German-sounding last name, Nicole Prascovia Elikolani Valiente was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a Filipino father, Alfonso Valiente, and a mother of Native Hawaiian and Ukrainian descent, Rosemary. After her parents separated, her stepfather, Gary Scherzinger (of German-American roots), adopted her; hence the stage name we know today. This beauty, talent, and presence? A true mix of cultures.

Bruno Mars

Another Honolulu-born icon, Bruno embodies both Hispanic and Pacific Islander heritage. His father is Puerto Rican and Ashkenazi Jewish, originally from Brooklyn, while his mother, who emigrated from the Philippines, was of Filipino and Spanish ancestry. The result is a genre-blending legend with charisma for days.

apl.de.ap

Hard to imagine the 2000s pop landscape without The Black Eyed Peas, right?Allan Pineda Lindo (aka apl.de.ap) is a Filipino-American rapper, singer, and producer whose contributions gave the group its global, electro-pop edge. Born to a Filipino mother and an African-American father, Apl always kept his roots front and center. Listen to “The Apl Song” on the Elephunk album for a heartfelt homage to his homeland.

ZHU

Steven Zhu, known professionally as ZHU, appeared on the electronic music scene in 2014 with a breakout track “Faded” that became an instant club anthem. A Chinese American artist raised in the culturally diverse Bay Area, ZHU brought a distinctive edge to electronic music—blending sleek, atmospheric house beats with R&B-infused vocals and moody textures. His minimalist yet emotionally resonant sound has remained a staple in underground and mainstream circuits, earning him critical acclaim and a devoted following.

Norah Jones

Honestly, this one caught us off guard too.Before Lorde or Lana Del Rey made melancholy cool, Norah Jones soundtracked our softest, slowest heartbreaks with her jazz-tinged voice.Born Geethali Norah Jones Shankar in NYC, she’s the daughter of American concert promoter Sue Jones and legendary Indian Bengali sitarist Ravi Shankar. Her half-sister, Anoushka Shankar, is also an accomplished sitarist blending classical Indian and electronic music in London.

The Alt Scene: Indie, Nu-Metal & Everything Between

Turns out, Asian American musicians helped shape the edgiest, most genre-defying eras of music too because when I say indie-rockers and pioneers of nu-metal were onto something, I mean it.

Karen O (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)

If you are, my millennial fellow, have ever screamed “Heads Will Roll” on a dance floor or shoot cutesy TikToks to Maps aka “Wait, they don't love you like I love you”, then you know the impact of Karen O.Born Karen Lee Orzolek in Seoul to a Korean mother and Polish-American father, she moved to the U.S. as a child. Her voice and style helped define early 2000s indie-rock, and continues to influence artists to this day.

Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast)

Another Korean-American trailblazer, Michelle Chongmi Zauner grew up in Oregon after emigrating from Seoul as a baby. Best known for her dreamy indie band Japanese Breakfast and her bestselling memoir Crying in H Mart, Zauner’s work explores grief, identity, and Korean-American life. Fun fact: she decided to become a musician after watching Karen O perform live. We love a full-circle moment.

Smashing Pumpkins

Let’s turn to another influential force in rock music: the Chicago-based band The Smashing Pumpkins. Guitarist James Iha, a second-generation Japanese American, has long been a key part of the band's sound. In 2024, the group welcomed a new member, Kiki Wong, who stepped in to fill the spot previously held by guitarist Jeff Schroeder, an Asian American of Korean descent (with a PhD in comparative literature!). Wong, who is of Korean and Chinese heritage, brings her own vibrant energy to the lineup. In the 2010s, she performed with major artists such as Taylor Swift and Usher, and was a member of Nylon Pink, an all-Asian American girl group. Frontman Billy Corgan revealed that he had been a fan of Wong’s work even before she auditioned for the band.

The presence of Asian American artists in The Smashing Pumpkins has added a quiet but undeniable mystique to the band’s image: an element of magic that blends cultural depth with sonic innovation, enriching their aura and broadening the emotional palette of their music.

Linkin Park

When discussing the evolution of alternative rock and nu-metal, it's impossible not to mention Linkin Park. The band's legacy is inseparable from the contributions of Mike Shinoda, whose father is Japanese American, and Joe Hahn, a second-generation Korean American. Hahn, Linkin Park’s DJ and creative director, played a critical role in shaping the band's groundbreaking sound. Anyone who’s ever lost themselves in the chaos and catharsis of Hybrid Theory has felt the impact of his masterful turntable wizardry.

Deftones

Alternative metal owes much of its atmospheric intensity to Deftones, and Deftones wouldn’t be the same without the influence of Chi Cheng and Chino Moreno.

Chi Cheng, the band’s iconic bassist and poet, was the son of a Chinese father. Known for his playful dub-reggae inspired bass lines and deeply introspective, Zen-influenced worldview, Chi left an indelible mark on both the band’s identity and the genre as a whole.

As for Chino Moreno, born Camillo "Chino" Wong Moreno, his mother is of Mexican and Chinese descent. The nickname “Chino,” which eventually became his stage name, was given to him by his uncles in childhood because of his distinctly Asian features. His unique heritage and emotive vocal style have made him one of the most recognizable and genre-defying frontmen in modern rock.

New Generation: Rising AANHPI Stars to Watch

We all know Olivia Rodrigo and Mitski, but here are a few more rising stars you should absolutely have on your radar.

Keshi

Casey Thai Luong, aka Keshi, is a Vietnamese American singer-songwriter and producer from Houston, Texas. His lo-fi R&B vibe, introspective lyrics, and soulful voice have earned him a devoted fanbase, and growing international acclaim.

Sub Urban

Daniel Virgil Maisonneuve (yep, that Sub Urban) first went viral with “Cradles” on TikTok.Born in New York to a Taiwanese mother and French Canadian father, his blend of dark pop and eerie visuals keeps him in a league of his own.

This list just scratches the surface, but we hope it shines a light on the incredible diversity, creativity, and cultural depth of AANHPI musicians. Whether it’s through pop, metal, indie rock, or electronic soundscapes, this community continues to inspire and develop the music industry in profound ways.

Let’s keep celebrating the voices that shape our world, this month and always 💛

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