Hidden Gems of AANHPI Music: Artists Deserving Your Attention
As you guys know, in LALAL.AI, we are always here for highlighting cool music and appreciating the diversity of cultures all over the globe. This time is no exception. As AANHPI Heritage Month in the United States wraps up, we are happy to introduce you to a new list of extraordinary artists contributing to the vibrant and ever-evolving legacy of Asian-American creativity.
But First, What Exactly Is AANHPI?
AANHPI stands for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. The term embraces an incredibly wide spectrum of identities, cultures, languages, and histories connected to Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the United States. And naturally, music became one of the most powerful ways for these communities to express themselves, challenge stereotypes, mix traditions, and create entirely new sounds.
Last year, we introduced you to the artists you might not have known were a part of AANHPI culture.
This year, as promised, we're focusing on bands and personalities who are either still on their way to global fame or are simply too unique and niche to fully enter the mainstream machine. So buckle up for yet another music discovery ride!
1) The Linda Lindas — Punk Is Back, and It’s Female!
If somebody told you that the future of punk would be carried by four teenage girls screaming about racism, cats, awkwardness, and growing up, we honestly would not complain.
The Linda Lindas exploded into public consciousness after their now-viral performance of “Racist, Sexist Boy” at the Los Angeles Public Library. What made people stay, though, was their authenticity, not ragebait. Their music feels raw, funny, loud, emotional, and incredibly alive in the best traditions of riot grrl and classic West Coast punk.
The group itself is a beautiful reflection of multicultural America. Sisters Lucia and Mila de la Garza are half Chinese and half Mexican, bassist Eloise Wong is Chinese-American, and Bela Salazar has Salvadoran and Mexican roots. Together, they represent exactly the kind of fearless cross-cultural creativity that keeps alternative music exciting.
Musically, the band pulls inspiration from legends like Bikini Kill, Green Day, and The Clash while still sounding unmistakably Gen Z. Their 2022 album Growing Up became a coming-of-age soundtrack full of energetic hooks and playful rebellion.
Honestly? Punk never really died. It just got younger, smarter, and cooler.
2) Cibo Matto — Chaos, Art-Pop, and Icon Status
Not exactly new, but absolutely iconic enough to mention.
If you have never listened to Cibo Matto before, imagine a musical blender containing trip-hop, avant-pop, jazz, indie rock, electronic experimentation, surreal humor, and random food references. Somehow, it all works perfectly.
The duo, formed by Japanese-born musicians Miho Hatori and Yuka Honda in New York City, became underground legends in the 90s thanks to their unique sound and artistic fearlessness. Their debut album Viva! La Woman remains one of the strangest and most charming cult classics of its era.
Songs like “Sugar Water” and “Beef Jerky” feel like fever dreams in the best possible way. Their lyrics jump between absurdity and emotional intimacy, while their production still sounds fresh decades later.
And yes, if you are wondering why so many alternative musicians worship them quietly in interviews, this is exactly why.
3) Toro y Moi — The King of Genre Fluidity
Born Chaz Bear to a Filipino mother, the producer and multi-instrumentalist became one of the defining names of the chillwave movement in the early 2010s. But putting him into one genre box is basically impossible. Across his discography, he has explored indie rock, synth-pop, funk, house, psychedelic music, hip-hop influences, and even lo-fi experimental sounds.
His breakthrough album Causers of This introduced dreamy bedroom-electronic vibes that shaped an entire indie era. Later releases like Outer Peace and Mahal showed just how effortlessly he can reinvent himself while staying recognizable.
There is something deeply comforting about his music. Warm synths, soft grooves, and the feeling of driving around at sunset, thinking about your life decisions.
4) Hollis — Poetry, R&B, and Quiet Power
Singer and spoken-word artist Hollis Wong-Wear, known mononymously as Hollis, is a second-generation Chinese American artist whose work blends music, poetry, activism, and deeply personal storytelling. Her mother immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong, while her father is from the American Midwest.
Many listeners first discovered Hollis through her standout feature on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ massive hit “White Walls,” alongside Schoolboy Q. The track became one of the defining hip-hop singles of the early 2010s and even reached No.15 on the Billboard Hot 100. She also contributed songwriting and vocals to the duo’s Grammy-nominated album The Heist, earning recognition at the 2014 Grammy Awards.
Outside of mainstream collaborations, she built a rich artistic identity through Seattle’s music scene as the lead vocalist of alternative R&B trio The Flavr Blue. And as a solo artist, Hollis leans even further into introspective territory. Her 2020 EP Half-Life and later debut album Subliminal showcase a more vulnerable and experimental side, balancing spoken-word influences with alternative R&B, electronic pop, and poetic lyricism.
5) Thủy — Silk-Soft R&B for Late Night Drives
Vietnamese-American singer Thủy is the kind of artist whose music instantly creates a mood.
Blending contemporary R&B, pop, and smooth early-2000s-inspired melodies, she became especially beloved among listeners who missed emotionally rich slow jams. Her vocals are airy but expressive, and her songs often focus on vulnerability, romance, nostalgia, and self-worth.
Her breakout single “girls like me don’t cry” became a massive social media success, but there is much more depth in her catalog than just one viral moment. Releases like "i hope u see this" helped establish her as one of the most promising voices in modern alternative R&B. Also, her visual aesthetic? Immaculate.
6) Eric Nam — Pop With Heart
At this point, Eric Nam feels less like a musician and more like everyone’s extremely talented comfort person.
Born and raised in Atlanta to Korean immigrant parents, Eric became one of the most recognizable Korean-American solo artists working between the Western and Korean music industries. His career is fascinating because he never fully fit into one market and we mean it as a compliment, the guy is a polymath.
Musically, Eric mixes polished pop production with acoustic influences, emotional songwriting, and charismatic vocals. Albums like Before We Begin and There And Back Again show his ability to balance catchy mainstream appeal with deeply personal storytelling.
Outside music, he also made his name due to podcasts, interviews, and advocacy for mental health conversations in entertainment spaces. Basically: talented, funny, emotionally intelligent — the triple threat.
7) UMI — Spirituality Meets Neo-Soul
After the cinematic release of Love Language in 2019, UMI only continued growing into one of the most emotionally recognizable voices in alternative neo-soul.
Being half Japanese and half Black American, UMI often incorporates themes of identity, spirituality, healing, and emotional openness into her work. Her music feels soft and meditative without losing lyrical sharpness.
She is also deeply connected to both Japanese and Korean pop culture and has collaborated with major artists, including V from BTS, Baekhyun of EXO, and Fujii Kaze.
Her songs often feel less like traditional pop tracks and more like emotional safe spaces. Which, frankly, many of us need these days.
8) Mark Tuan — Reinventing Himself Beyond K-Pop
Starting as a member of legendary third-generation K-pop boy group GOT7, Mark Tuan is now fully embracing his solo career. And the transition has honestly been pretty fascinating to watch.
Born in Los Angeles to Taiwanese parents, Mark spent years balancing global idol life with his quieter, more introspective personality. His solo work leans heavily into hip-hop, pop-rock, and alternative R&B influences, while allowing him much more emotional freedom than traditional idol music usually permits.
Tracks like “Last Breath” and “Far Away” introduced darker, moodier aesthetics and showcased his growth as both a songwriter and performer. It's always interesting seeing artists rediscover themselves outside of massive group dynamics, and Mark seems genuinely comfortable exploring who he wants to become musically.
9) Daboyway — Southeast Asian Swagger
American-born Thai rapper Daboyway brings pure Southeast Asian street energy straight to your speakers.
A member of pioneering Thai hip-hop group Thaitanium, Daboyway helped shape the modern Thai rap scene long before global audiences began paying attention to Southeast Asian hip-hop. His style combines American rap influences with distinctly Thai aesthetics and multilingual flows.
And, of course, we have to mention the explosive collaboration with another key figure in Thai hip-hop—MILLI. Back in 2021, Milli’s fiery verse in “Mirror Mirror” track, featured with F.HERO and Stray Kids’ Changbin, completely took over the internet and introduced many international listeners to Thailand’s rapidly growing rap scene.
We believe that Southeast Asia’s music scene deserves way more global attention in general.
10) Hayley Kiyoko — Synth-Pop, Cinema, and Queer Visibility
You may know Hayley Kiyoko as “Lesbian Jesus” thanks to her devoted fanbase online, but reducing her only to the internet culture would seriously undersell her artistry.
Kiyoko, who has Japanese heritage from her father’s side, built a career blending synth-pop, emotional storytelling, and cinematic visuals that center queer experiences in a refreshingly direct way. Long before many labels fully embraced LGBTQ+ narratives in pop music, Hayley was independently creating music videos and songs that openly explored sapphic relationships.
Her breakthrough EP Citrine and later album Expectations turned her into an important voice for young listeners looking for representation that actually felt authentic.
The visuals alone deserve an award.
Bonus: Another One You Didn’t Know Was Part of AANHPI
Tyga — Surprise, Surprise!
Yes, really.
While most people know Tyga primarily through mainstream hip-hop hits like “Taste” or “Rack City,” fewer realize that the rapper has Vietnamese and Jamaican heritage. His background reflects another important reality of AANHPI identity: it's not always obvious, and it doesn't fit neatly into stereotypes.
Which pretty much feels like the perfect way to end this list.
AANHPI artists continue reshaping global music every single year — through punk, indie pop, neo-soul, K-pop, rap, experimental art music, or alternative R&B. Some become household names, others quietly influence entire generations of musicians behind the scenes, but both matter.
P.S. You can always find a dedicated playlist on our official Spotify account:
Feel free to tag us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, or Reddit along with your own AANHPI artist recommendations! We're always happy to discover something new. Toodle-oo!