Exploring the Modern Voices of Queer AAPI Artists

BY DANIELA MIRELES

Queer Asian American and Pacific Islander artists have been on the rise, with anthems that celebrate identity and love that challenge stereotypes while highlighting the diversity of human experience in general.

The diverse range of music genres that are exhibited by AAPI queer artists has made a huge impact on the music industry, whether it’s from sad ballads to uplifting songs to rock anthems, each musician incorporates an aspect of their culture to their sound. Mitski’s reflective and heart aching ballads to Rina Sawayama’s hot pop songs that make you dance, they have created places for authenticity, and have given exposure to their culture with their live performances and their identity.

By pushing musical boundaries with experimental sounds and creativity, artists such as Beabadoobee and Hayley Kiyoko have created a unique music sound that made them icons in their craft. They are just a couple of artists that are redefining what it means to be an artist with experimenting artistic styles. From the electro-pop rock beats in Beabadoobee’s music to the experimental pop music that Hayley Kiyoko performs, they both define categorization of their music.

Japanese Breakfast, Towa Bird, Vardaan Arora and Mxmtoon are just a few examples of artists who use their lyrics to express their queer identity and uses their music as a self expression and exploration of one’s true self with sounding beats that create an innovative yet personal listen for audiences to resonate that has the opportunity to create a union within their audiences. AAPI artists also use their platforms and following to create spaces for LGBTQ+ fans to feel safe and promote inclusion and equality for the community.

With blends of R&B and pop, artists such as Kimmortal and UMI blend themes of love and mental health into their thought provoking music allowing listeners to immerse themselves into these artist’s soulful and smooth voice creating a space where their identities are validated and are able to feel safe within a community.

Non-binary artists Mila Jam and Hajii Babe should be on everyone’s radar since they have a distinct sound with their musical talents. Both of their music address themes of heartbreak and finding beauty in the ordinary with lyrical and reflective songs. Transgender singers and songwriters such as Chuefeng and Jake Zyrus push the boundaries of music experimentation to create folk and alternative sounds that speak to vulnerability and personal experiences, allowing listeners to relate to their own journeys of self discovery.

Through their music they are able to share their perspectives on love, their vulnerability, and self discovery journeys which serves as an encouragement to listeners to confidently and proudly embrace their identities. By combining their ethnic origins and their personal experiences, they also produce songs that can be seen that are created with real sincerity.

For queer AAPI singers, music offers them a platform where they are able to explore their identity and create music that resonates with audiences worldwide who appreciate artistic expression. By supporting these artists and many others, we are making sure their stories are heard loud and clear, creating a more vibrant and inclusive music scene in the industry.