Don’t miss out! Top 5 Underrated Asian Artists to Check Out
Submitted by Sarah Rata
I love supporting the Asian community by listening to different Asian artists and sharing their music with others. Growing up, I was never exposed to modern music made by Asian Americans or Asians around the world as the community I lived in was predominantly white. Now that I am surrounded by a more diverse community here at UD, I have widened my horizons and found so many new songs from artists all around the world, even in many different languages. For instance, knowing that there are other Filipino artists making top hits other than Bruno Mars makes me so proud to be Filipino. As Asians artists make their mark on the media through the Shang-Chi soundtrack or even through Tik Tok trends, I personally can’t help but be super excited for them. It is so inspiring to see musicians that we identify with culturally succeed and share their talents with the world.
While I have to admit that I listen to popular and more mainstream Asian artists like NIKI and Keshi on repeat, there are so many other underappreciated artists out there that I would love to share with you all. Whether you are into r&b, pop, or some sad breakup songs, I am sure you will find your next favorite songs from some of these artists!
1. Eric Nam
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Eric Nam is a Korean-American artist with the most calming music. My personal favorites are “I Don’t Know You Anymore” and “One Way Lover”, which are sad but oddly comforting at the same time. He has the perfect voice to listen to while studying or walking to class!
2. Jereena Montemayor
Jereena Montemayor has made her way into practically all of my Spotify playlists with her angelic voice and adorable lyrics. She ties in her Filipina identity in songs like “Filipina Girls”, and has so many feel-good love songs. Jereena is also one of the headliners for UDFSA’s 2022 Culture Night, so make sure to listen up on her work and see her live (on April 22nd if you were wondering).
3. Kiana Valenciano
Kiana Valenciano, or Kiana V, has been one of my favorite artists for quite some time. She is actually the daughter of Gary Valenciano, a famous artist in the Philippines that both my parents are obsessed with. Along with her Filipino identity, Kiana has an r&b vibe to her music that I absolutely love, and has worked with other great Asian artists like 88rising and Jesse Barrera. It is honestly hard to pick my favorite songs by her, but “Selfish” and “Ambrosia” are two that are definitely at the top of my list.
4. John Concepcion
Going along with the R&B style many Filipino artists share, John Concepcion’s work is a must for those of you who love Chris Brown or Miguel. My personal top tracks are “Space in Between” and “Addicted 2 U” (I am a sucker for some good love songs). Concepcion is definitely an underrated artist who I personally feel deserves more fans.
5. Thuy
Last but definitely not least is Thuy. She is a Vietnamese-American singer from the Bay Area. Her voice is sweet and smooth, and lyrics sometimes make me emotional with how cute they are. My all time favorites are “Universe” and “Chances.”
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