Asia Rising Forever: Changing the game for Asians in pop culture

88 Rising is a record label known to recruit Asian American artists, many of which have risen to fame in recent years, such as Rich Brian, Joji, and Niki. In celebration of Asian Pacific American heritage month, 88 Rising hosted Asia Rising Forever, an online concert featuring up and coming Asian artists across the world. It was globally broadcasted on May 6, 2020 on their Youtube and Twitter accounts.

“Representation” is sort of a buzz word nowadays, but watching Asia Rising Forever was one of those moments where it genuinely clicked with me how important it really is. Speaking as a Chinese-American, it can often feel like I’m perpetually stuck in a disorienting cultural limbo, which I’m sure most multicultural people can relate with. A common experience among Chinese-Americans that’s a little more harmful than that limbo, though, is rejecting Chinese culture at a young age for a more “fashionable” Western culture. When I would turn on the TV in America as a kid, practically everyone I’d see would be white. Don’t get me wrong, I loved and still love iCarly and Victorious, but I never saw anyone that really looked like me in pop culture. This can shape self-perception in a lot of ways, starting with the way you perceive your own potential.

All of that changed when my family introduced me to Chinese artists and TV. Being exposed to that as a kid, I think, really boosted my self esteem. I had people to look up to that I could relate with, at least on a surface level, and that was important. Watching Asia Rising Forever was like that, except I didn’t only see myself reflected in their faces— I saw my experiences reflected in them as well. Many of them were Asian Americans trying to create something for the people who could relate to being in that cultural limbo. They were all artists who were making a place in the industry for people that looked like them. They weren’t just the token Asian person in a white-majority show, they were all respected as individuals with unique styles, experiences, talents, personalities, and messages, not defined by their race. 88 Rising’s increasing popularity seems to declare that Asians can have a place not only in American pop culture, but as role models for young people everywhere.

Featured Image—Asia Rising Forever courtesy of 88Rising

by Jessie Wu