The Asian music scene has really been popping off this past year with K-pop groups such as BTS breaking into the Western mainstream. Despite this seemingly game-changing hype, I can’t help but wonder, does the BTS craze represent a more inclusive shift on the western music scene, or is Western K-pop stanning a fad trend that will die out just as fast as American artists’ obsession with Japanese culture did in 2007?
Other than the occasional super hype á la Gangnam Style, the lack of Asian representation on the Western music scene is extremely prevalent. I mean, how many Asian artists can you name off the top of your head? How many Asian artists are bringing home Grammys and performing at the VMAs? Exceptionally few. A lot of things play into the issue at hand, so which is the chicken or the egg in this situation beats me. Either way, what I do know is that there are incredible artists of Asian descent out there, and they are not getting the credit and attention they deserve.
So if you’re looking for a little more diversity in your musical repertoire, or if you’re just straight up looking for really good tunes, keep scrolling and add these bops to your playlists asap stat! And let’s hope that this BTS fuelled hype marks the beginning of a more sustainably diverse music industry in the West.
Below I give you 7 amazing songs by Asian women artists – signed, sealed, delivered for your pleasure!
Niki
Niki Zefanya is the 19-year-old Indonesian rising star signed to 88rising (a mass media production company basically only signing Asian artists, and they are killing it.) Her raw talent and music production skills will definitely be taking her places.
Rina Sawayama
Japan-born, UK-raised Rina Sawayama has visuals to die for. The model and Cambridge graduate has really managed to make a name for herself independently, and looking at her incredible music videos, it totally makes sense why people love her so much.
by Michelle Hallstrom
