Before Asian Pacific American Heritage Month comes to a close, there are artists you should know about to keep the pride going. These artists have been on our playlist and we're here to share them with you. Check out the list below of rising APA artists to watch!
THUY: the Vietnamese singer-songwriter from the Bay Area is following her dreams as a soulful R&B artist inspired by the 90's era. After getting a glimpse of the music industry, she traded her pursuit in medicine and looked towards becoming a musician to inspire others.
ELLA JAY BASCO: the Filipino-Korean singer and actor who you may have seen in Birds of Prey is gearing up to release her upcoming album starting with the single, "Eye to Eye" and her latest release "Bubble Tea." She is also the niece of actors Dion and Dante Basco.
ASHLEY MEHTA: the Filipino-Indian R&B artist is starting to take the music scene by storm. She melds pop, R&B, hip hop and electronic music creating an ebullient, yet unique sound. Also from the Bay Area, Ashley takes pride in melding her music and cultures together.
KIYOMI: the Filipino-Japanese Bay Area born artist is a breath of fresh air with her music. The young artist has managed to rack up nearly 1 million plays across all digital streaming platforms with her sound filled with R&B, pop, and a sprinkle of your favorite genre.
BOHAN PHOENIX: born in China and immigrated to America at 11-years old, he was unable to speak English. When he found hip-hop, Bohan Phoenix was able to learn the language quickly by rapping along. Today, he meshes his cultures in his music by including both Mandarin and English lyrics to reflect his dual identity.
MIYACHI: New York based, Japanese-American rapper blends hip-hop sensibilities with East and West collaborating with Jay Park, Yameen, and more. His music takes aim at Asian-American stereotypes and flow it effortlessly over boom-bap and trap-laden instrumentals.
AUDREY NUNA: the New Jersey singer and rapper is best for her singles, "damn Right" and "Comic Sans" featuring Jack Harlow. Taking a break from NYU's Clive Davis Music Institute to focus on music, her sound can be described as a combination of the pop, R&B, rap, and trap genres.
LIKKLE JORDE: reggae artist from O'ahu Hawai'i is setting the tone for island music with his authentic sound. His love for reggae music started at an early age and since then crafted his own sound. He was recently nominated for an Island Music Award.
SATICA: the Cambodian-American singer and songwriter performs sleek pop music infused with electronic textures and R&B/soul. Her sound is influenced by Bon Iver, Lykke Li, Frank Ocean, and Panic! At the Disco. She's collaborated with Manilla Killa, AOBeats, BLKNZ, and Kiana V.
KELANDY: singer-songwriter from Honolulu, Hawai'i creates music inspired by a mix of Soul, Reggae, Pop, and Rock. His dynamic sound is matched with catchy lyrics, smooth voice, and island sounds.
ELI-MAC: Born in Makati, Philippines, Eli-Mac (Camile Velasco) and her family later moved to Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. An American Idol alum, she's since then taking her music career as a solo artist.
ANA VEE: This female artist is bringing an emerging style of island music. Her hit song "HAWAII" has topped charts and became the #1 shazamed song in Honolulu. Her music reflects the idea of self-empowerment as a young women living life on her own terms.
On the 40th anniversary of CAAMFest, the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is excited to spotlight the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District and Filipinx films and filmmakers. CAAMFest40, which takes place May 12-22, 2022, will hold in-person and virtual events in celebration of Asian and Asian American voices.
“We have always been centered in Japantown and Chinatown during CAAMFest, but the pandemic really gave us an opportunity to reflect more on how we can increase the visibility in other communities throughout the Bay Area,” says Don Young, Director of Programs at CAAM. As a Filipinx American, Jo Boston, CAAM Events Production Manager, recollects the historical importance of the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District.
“San Francisco is a hub where many Filipinos have landed—it is a gateway to possibilities for Filipinos,” she says. Though, the redevelopment of Manilatown and South of Market in the 1960s and 1970s displaced many Filipino families. Boston adds, “This is history that brings us together and strengthens our Filipino community in the district and beyond.”
In correlation with this new emphasis, Thúy Trần, the new Festival and Exhibitions Director at CAAM, is excited to bring programming that parallels and intersects with what community partners are already doing in the neighborhood. Programs that highlight Filipinx culture and/or artists as well as the SOMA Pilipinas Filipino Cultural Heritage District are noted below.
Following the introduction of the SOMA Pilipinas Community Engagement, and, in partnership with the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, revel in a FREE outdoor music showcase featuring emerging Pinay voices. Up-and-coming turntablist and SOMA resident, DJ Bitesize, will start the event by spinning and scratching party tunes. Ouida, named one of Nylon Magazine's rising musicians, blends catchy pop melodies with jazz, R&B, and blues. Closing out the concert will be Union City’s own singer-songwriter Kiyomi, who brings R&B stylings based on personal experiences. Artists Kiyomi, Ouida, and DJ Bitesize are all Filipinx and originally from the Bay Area.
TIME: Saturday May 21: 1:00pm – 2:30pm
VENUE: Esplanade, Yerba Buena Gardens
Mission St. between 3rd & 4th Sts.
San Francisco, CA
ABOUT KIYOMI:
Kiyomi is a Filipina recording artist. songwriter from the Bay, currently living in Los Angeles. Check out the music video for her original song "Can't Lose," produced by P-Lo above.
ABOUT OUIDA:
Ouida is a Filipino-American-Irish singer who isn’t afraid to talk about vulnerability. In her music video for Coffee, the dreamy imagery features an all-Filipino cast and her wearing a terno. (Yes girl, work them butterfly sleeves!) Her soulful voice is hauntingly ethereal, making us want to lean in for more
ABOUT DJ BITESIZE:
Award winning DJ Bitesize is a turntablist/party rocker from the 415 and has won 2 local DJ Battles. She has rocked numerous events from birthday parties to school dances to even throwing her own parties throughout the Bay Area.
Recording artist and Songwriter Kiyomi comes together with Shoe Palace and New Balance to help celebrate and share her thoughts on Unity. She is featured in the diverse Shoe Palace x New Balance 327 Unity Pack campaign that dropped online this week.
The Unity Pack is a collaboration that comes together to promote and celebrate unity. One iteration of the design on the heritage silhouette showcases a mesh of colors, showing that it can be a beautiful thing when we come together. In a video for the campaign, Kiyomi touches on "Inclusiveness" and how it means to be acknowledged and welcomed no matter the differences. The campaign is a direct reference to that statement.
If you want to take a closer look at The 327 Unity Pack, it is now available for purchase online at the Shoe Palace Website.
Cover Photo Courtesy of Shoe Palace Instagram
The official video "Can't Lose" by Kiyomi. Available on digital streaming platforms today! Produced By: P-Lo & Reece.
ABOUT KIYOMI:
When it comes to the music scene, Bay Area born and raised singer/songwriter KIYOMI is what people call a breath of fresh air. She developed a strong love for music in her youth, singing and dancing was part of her daily routine. At 17 years old, she uploaded her first piece of music which was a cover to SZA’s, The Weekend. It received countless words of gratitude and from that moment on, it motivated her to continue pursuing music not only as a hobby, but a career. Fast forward a few months later, and her first project Solara Sunsets was distributed. The 5 song EP landed her numerous shows alongside other local up and coming musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. At only 18 years old, she managed to rack up nearly 1 million plays across all digital streaming platforms, which has caught the attention of local music label/distribution company EMPIRE, CREATE and others to name a few.
Watch her interview on The Lunch Table with Nico Blitz below:
Jo Koy releases his new book, "Mixed Plate," Jabbawockeez re-open their MGM Grand show in a new socially distanced & meet Ez Mil opening week in Las Vegas, with new music by Kiyomi, Manila Grey featuring P-Lo & James Reid.
This week on the MYX News Hot List, hosted by Trace Gaynor. For more, bookmark www.myx.global/myxnews.
The Bay Area beauty is back with a new banger “Vintage,” watch the new music video here.
ICYMI also watch a LIVE session of "You Got It," she makes it seem effortless as she takes the listener on a vocal journey with her.
Earlier this year, Kiyomi released her single, "Trials and Tribulations" with a MYX Global premiere. The original was the first song she wrote during quarantine, at a time where she felt like nothing really made sense in the world and she felt out of control of the circumstances. She was really starting to question a lot of things regarding herself and the purpose of this life.
ABOUT KIYOMI:
When it comes to the music scene, Bay Area born and raised singer/songwriter KIYOMI is what people call a breath of fresh air. She developed a strong love for music in her youth, singing and dancing was part of her daily routine. At 17 years old, she uploaded her first piece of music which was a cover to SZA’s, The Weekend. It received countless words of gratitude and from that moment on, it motivated her to continue pursuing music not only as a hobby, but a career. Fast forward a few months later, and her first project Solara Sunsets was distributed. The 5 song EP landed her numerous shows alongside other local up and coming musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. At only 18 years old, she managed to rack up nearly 1 million plays across all digital streaming platforms, which has caught the attention of local music label/distribution company EMPIRE, CREATE and others to name a few.
MYX is excited to globally premiere Bay Area pinay Kiyomi's latest single, "Trials and Tribulations." Listen to the track during DJ Marlino's set during the Twitch crawl Tuesday 12/15 on our Twitch, alongside Nico Blitz on Wednesday 12/16. The song has been added to heavry rotation to our MYXRADIO station on Dash Radio. See the schedule below:
“Trials and Tribulations was the first song I wrote during quarantine, at a time where I felt like nothing really made sense in the world and I felt out of control of the circumstances. I was really starting to question a lot of things regarding myself and the purpose of this life.
This song is really about coming into terms with all parts of life, the good and bad, and being content with the life you’ve lived by the time it’s over. Life isn’t supposed to be perfect. It’s more of a experience you have to go thru to learn from,“ said Kiyomi.
ABOUT KIYOMI:
When it comes to the music scene, Bay Area born and raised singer/songwriter KIYOMI is what people call a breath of fresh air. She developed a strong love for music in her youth, singing and dancing was part of her daily routine. At 17 years old, she uploaded her first piece of music which was a cover to SZA’s, The Weekend. It received countless words of gratitude and from that moment on, it motivated her to continue pursuing music not only as a hobby, but a career. Fast forward a few months later, and her first project Solara Sunsets was distributed. The 5 song EP landed her numerous shows alongside other local up and coming musicians in the San Francisco Bay Area. At only 18 years old, she managed to rack up nearly 1 million plays across all digital streaming platforms, which has caught the attention of local music label/distribution company EMPIRE, CREATE and others to name a few.
Over time, KIYOMI realized that her passion for music was not merely because of her love for it but it was a pure form of self expression. At the moment, her favorite artists and inspiration for her melodic sounds are: DaniLeigh, Summer Walker, Jhene Aiko, HER, Brent Faiyaz, Rexxxliferaj, Kehlani, and everything else in between.
Stay in touch with her rise by following KIYOMI on Instagram. Watch her full interview on The Lunch Table with Nico Blitz below:
