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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and this yr’s theme has been dubbed “Advancing Leaders By way of Innovation” by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council. The group not solely works to help AAPI leaders in authorities, nevertheless to empower AAPI individuals all world vast to hunt out success and progress of their careers in all fields.
Although the U.S. Census has reported Asian-People as a result of the fastest-growing group throughout the nation, historically AAPI musicians and executives have been underrepresented or omitted of conversations altogether. However more and more AAPI are holding administration and govt roles, breaking down obstacles and setting an occasion for youthful generations.
For a third yr, Choice has compiled a list of 10 influential AAPI music executives — please observe that this isn’t a ranked “vitality file” — we highlight a particular group yearly: See our lists from 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Warda Baig
Dwell Nation
Worldwide tour promotion
Baig works with a varied combination of artists and genres, along with Daniel Caesar, Maverick Metropolis Music, NF, TLC, and Shaggy. She moreover carried out a severe operate in promoting Kendrick Lamar’s “Mr. Morale and the Massive Steppers” tour in 2022, certainly one of many top-grossing hip-hop excursions of all time.
Warda’s current slate of excursions incorporates Maggie Rogers, Tye Tribbett and Associates, and Daryl Hall and Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton. She works intently with Dwell Nation’s Exterior Helpful useful resource Group, Asian Nation, overseeing the manufacturing of events that goal to carry consciousness, educate, and have an excellent time Asian custom.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
Over the course of my 13-year occupation throughout the enterprise as a main know-how Pakistani-American, I’m proud to say I’ve witnessed an entire lot of progress referring to AAPI illustration. AAPI artists are proudly proudly owning their heritage and connecting with audiences on a worldwide scale. There’s a loads bigger urge for meals to see AAPI artists dwell at venues of all sizes, from golf tools to stadiums, and their fanbases have grown exponentially and are additional quite a few than ever sooner than. We’re moreover seeing additional AAPI artists prime the charts, be spotlighted on streaming platforms, and headline festivals throughout the nation.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
We’ve got to focus on persevering with to develop AAPI leaders, considerably for positions in C-suites, boardrooms, and totally different administration roles all through the enterprise.
Nick Barr
Pulse
Senior vice chairman
Barr is presently works in A&R and leads digital promoting and advertising and marketing on the publishing and administration outfit. Beforehand a VP of A&R and ingenious approach at Island Knowledge, at that agency he carried out a key operate in signing and creating new experience akin to Charlieonnfriday and led campaigns for Sabrina Carpenter — whose monitor “Nonsense” garnered nearly a billion streams all through all platforms — along with Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Lauren Spencer-Smith and additional.
Barr began his music occupation whereas attending school in Louisville, Kentucky, and labored with R&B stars Bryson Tiller and Khalid early of their careers. Barr has moreover been on Lil Tjay’s administration crew for the earlier 5 years, and works with 14-year-old country-pop artist Maddox Batson.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
Certain, I positively assume so. It’s good to see executives like [Warner Records EVP] Karen Kwak and [Warner Chappell publishing VP] Jon Chen, and artists like Keshi, Joji, and newcomer Beabadoobee. Nonetheless, I seen a present analysis that 44% of U.S. residents can’t determine a single well-known Asian-American, and that could possibly be a draw back.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
The biggest problem stays to be an basic lack of group, help and illustration. I had the privilege of sitting on the Frequent Music Group AAPI govt committee with good UMG executives Barry Fernando and Raymond Mai, and that could possibly be a pleasant start — nevertheless all of us should do larger.
Together with elevated visibility for AAPI execs and artists, I consider additional progress begins with empowering the next know-how of youthful AAPI executives, artists, and creatives alike — whereas supporting their ambitions in letting them know that certain, it’s doable to have a occupation and obtain success as an Asian-American throughout the leisure enterprise.
Michael Chua
Ticketmaster
VP of worldwide enterprise development & strategic partnerships
Chua is a driving drive behind securing high-impact provides with major platforms akin to Snap, TikTok, and Google. These partnerships create new pathways for followers to search out dwell leisure events whereas concurrently empowering artists to reach new audiences.
Previous core enterprise initiatives, Chua is an advocate for selection and inclusivity all through the enterprise, working intently with Asian Nation, an employee-resource group, the place he participated in Roc Nation’s LIU conference and carried out a pivotal operate in establishing the LNE partnership with Gold Dwelling for the Futures Music Guild initiative. That initiative focuses on the occasion of rising Asian music artists.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
Certain – however it’s nonetheless early innings. Largely as a response to the rise in anti-Asian racism all through the pandemic, the AAPI group over the previous few years has galvanized like in no way sooner than to range the cultural narrative surrounding us, on our phrases and via our voices. This has led to a inventive development in distinctly Asian-led tales and casts attaining enterprise success on a worldwide basis in film and television. I actually think about that this groundswell will cross over to totally different cultural courses, along with comedy and music — in actuality, you’re starting to see this already. There’s pent-up demand for selection on our screens and ranges, which is being met by a rising pipeline of AAPI artists and creators who’re impressed by an increasing number of additional examples of success spherical them.
Illustration, however, may also be important behind the scenes. We’ve got to proceed cultivating the next know-how of AAPI leaders and equally current them that ceilings could also be broken. I’m repeatedly impressed by AAPI leaders in our enterprise, like Christine Cao (of Dwell Nation Live performance occasions) who’re true change-makers that put cash into Asian experience on and off our ranges.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
Asian leaders have an obligation. Whereas we’re starting to see additional Asian executives in positions of have an effect on, they’re nonetheless those that’re “breaking by means of” in opposition to the statistics. Asians as a bunch see certainly one of many largest drop-offs in senior and govt administration illustration. It’s our job as leaders to reach once more and pull our group up by means of steering, educating, and mentorship, so that illustration turns into the norm and by no means the exception. Trailblazers wish to level out others the trail.
Janet Kim
UTA
Music agent
Kim represents a wide selection of purchasers akin to ABS-CBN, AleXa, BUSTED, eaJ, Gottmik, Joe Jonas, Johnny Orlando, KARD, Natalie Jane, Paris Hilton, Plastique, Violet Chachki, Zolita, Patrick Martin, and additional.
Alongside world co-head of music David Zedeck, Kim works to extend the Okay-Pop roster for UTA, signing prime names like PSYand KARD and coping with upcoming acts like Billlie, LUCY and STAYC.
Kim has moreover been working with Paris Hilton to proceed to extend and develop her mannequin, considerably throughout the LGBTQ+ group. Kim helped protected Hilton’s Delight Month kickoff reside efficiency in June 2023, which befell on the Fonda Theatre with specific associates Saweetie and Kim Petras.
Inside the multi-hyphenate home, Kim represents Golden Globe worthwhile and Emmy-nominated actress, singer and activist, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. She carried out on the first stage at LA Delight last summer season and the first stage at Nashville Delight, booked by Kim and her colleagues.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
I’m fully comfortable to say certain! Progress could also be sluggish, however it’s shifting within the correct route and the followers are the impetus for change. As buyers proceed to help AAPI artists by shopping for tickets to reveals, adopting the producers that AAPI experience is expounded to, and consuming their content material materials, alternate options open up for additional AAPI artists to see a path into this enterprise. I do see additional AAPI artists on every kind of lists, from nomination lists and competitors posters to music charts and A&R lists of acts the enterprise is comfortable about. There’s always room for additional artists, and the followers are serving to to shine the spotlight on AAPI experience.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
AAPI is a extremely small label for a extremely quite a few and complicated group of people. Although there’s a megaphone on certain genres of music coming out of Asia, there are nonetheless many AAPI artists and voices not being heard. The huge enterprise and common tradition penetration of certain Asian genres has benefitted AAPI artists proper right here throughout the States by proving the viability of Asian experience. Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless loads additional to search out and help. Moreover, when it looks as if there’s solely room for a number of AAPI artists to interrupt by means of, it creates an environment of silos. Basically essentially the most pressing problem going by means of the AAPI music enterprise group is simply not having a gaggle however! There have been too few AAPI artists to even be a “group,” and although it’s slowly rising, we’re nonetheless too divided to be referred to as a gaggle.
Zeena Koda
Asian American Collective
Co-founder
As a result of the co-founder of this AAPI non-profit, Koda leads its consider mentorship, group and elevating consciousness for the music and ingenious industries. Koda may also be a board member of FACE, a non-profit aimed towards amplifying Filipino creatives in media and bringing them to the forefront, along with a Grammy Academy member serving to launch the Grammy Gold Alliance this yr.
A 15-year veteran of the mannequin, tech and leisure industries, at Cornerstone Firm, Koda constructed out a lifestyle promoting and advertising and marketing arm, serving as a key liaison for campaigns for Converse, A24, Citaminwater, Puma, and others. She’s moreover a former media character and podcast host, with over a decade of music and lifestyle journalism beneath her belt.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
There has not solely been unbelievable progress, however it looks as if there lastly is a seat on the desk for us throughout the larger scheme of media. When you’ve got a have a look at who’s shifting world music, acts like Seventeen and Stray Kids are dominating revenue-generation on the prime. The Recording Academy has lastly launched the Gold Alliance, aimed towards giving additional visibility to AAPI musicians and professionals all through its group. 88rising has generated certainly one of many largest world festivals. Gold Dwelling has created an space for visibility on the best tiers. Many group organizations like ours, Asian American Collective, have transformed what group looks as if for API’s and linked creatives all through pursuits. We’re seeing more and more pure and real illustration all through the enterprise on account of additional of us are filling these seats.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
The AAPI group could possibly be very multi-faceted, and although we’ve come a good way, there’s nonetheless a stretch of labor to do to actually signify the varied fully totally different cultures all through the diaspora. I do have the hope that as a result of the world of music turns into additional globally acutely aware, new audiences shall be open to consuming fully totally different music from AAPI artists, as we’ve seen with African artists recently. There are so many eclectic tastes and kinds to be highlighted!
Nina Lee
Oriel Agency
VP of communications
With over a decade of PR experience, Lee spearheads campaigns and approach for major artists like Maxwell, Daniel Caesar, No ID, Betty Who, Hannibal Buress and 88rising’s Joji and Rich Brian along with up-and-comers like D4vd and UMI. A primary-generation Korean American and New York Faculty graduate, Lee began her occupation at Press Proper right here Publicity sooner than shifting over to Shore Fireplace Media in 2015, and joined Oriel six years later.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
Certain! There really has been progress recently. Asians and Asian-People are making strides and gaining visibility and recognition all through numerous genres, from R&B and hip-hop to pop and varied. I actually really feel lucky to indicate acts like Rich Brian, Joji, Audrey Nuna, and UMI, who’re all making strides in an enterprise that doesn’t have an prolonged observe file of making Asian artists into stars — to not level out engaged on large dwell events like Head throughout the Clouds New York Music & Arts Pageant, curated by 88rising. That’s an event created by and catering to Asians and Asian-People — it’s not one factor I could have dreamed of after I used to be youthful.
Nonetheless, challenges and underrepresentation will in spite of everything proceed to persist, and there’s nonetheless work to be accomplished to verify equitable alternate options and recognition for AAPI artists. Advocates and enterprise insiders should proceed to push for additional selection and inclusion throughout the music enterprise, every on and off the stage.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
The model minority fantasy is a harmful stereotype that suggests certain minority groups, considerably Asian-People, are inherently worthwhile, hardworking and academically or economically high-achieving.
Inside the context of the music enterprise, the model minority fantasy can manifest in various strategies. For example, AAPI artists may be pressured to evolve to certain stereotypes or expectations, limiting their inventive expression and alternate options. The an identical goes for executives.
Addressing the model minority fantasy throughout the music enterprise requires troublesome these ideas which have been baked into us whereas amplifying quite a few voices and experiences and advocating for equitable alternate options and illustration for all artists. It’s necessary to acknowledge the complexity and selection inside AAPI communities and to create areas that allow for real and inclusive storytelling in music.
Ellen Lu
Goldenvoice
Vp
With 10 years of experience promoting the important thing live performance occasions and music festivals, Lu books and produces Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival, held at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. A primary-generation Taiwanese-American, Lu moreover oversees 88rising’s world competitors Head throughout the Clouds Music & Arts Pageant, with its flagship in Los Angeles at Brookside on the Rose Bowl, and at Forest Hills Stadium in New York. Whereas she’s very energetic throughout the competitors world, she nonetheless promotes live performance occasions all by means of Los Angeles.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
Utterly. Now better than ever, people’s palate for world leisure has expanded, and we see that by means of the music, motion pictures, TV reveals, books and additional that people are consuming. Plus, there’s a model new know-how of homegrown Asian-American experience on the forefront of this movement, redefining the panorama of illustration in music for our group. We’re moreover seeing a shift going down behind the scenes all through all sectors of the music enterprise, and this shift is credited to those who paved the best way by which sooner than us: In its place of fixed to walk ahead with out making an attempt once more, an entire lot of them have circled to reach for us and pull us up.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
Within the an identical breath as my reply above, there’s nonetheless an entire lot of progress to be made referring to AAPI illustration. There’s a disconnect referring to a additional holistic illustration of the AAPI group previous East Asian illustration (Korea, China, and Japan). Asia is big and encompasses so many alternative worldwide areas, so after we talk of AAPI illustration it needs to include South and South-East illustration. Although many strides have been made (and we should be happy with it!), we have now to aim for a additional inclusive concept of true illustration for our group.
Brittany Nguyen
Interscope-Geffen-A&M Knowledge
Director of selling
A Los Angeles native, Nguyen oversees promoting and advertising and marketing approach for such acts as Lana Del Rey, Take into consideration Dragons, Karol G, D4vd, Place Model, Cuco and additional. Beforehand, Nguyen was a member of the promoting and advertising and marketing crew at AWAL, the place she labored on campaigns for Lauv, Girl in Pink, Steve Lacy, Mxmtoon, Kim Petras and Snoh Aalegra, along with the Asian-American-centric label and platform 88rising.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
I actually really feel very lucky that I’ve always had distinctive AAPI mentors in my life, however it’s loads easier to connect with others all through the group lately. After I first started in music, it was arduous to hunt out and be part of with people who appeared like me — I didn’t know there have been so many AAPI in music. I joined 88rising on account of I was deeply drawn to work for my custom. After I left in 2021, I was scared I wouldn’t ever have the flexibility to find a gaggle of unbelievable, good, inventive AAPI executives and work with them within the an identical method as I did at 88.
The areas created by organizations similar to the Asian-American Collective and Goldhouse are actually invaluable — I’ve met a number of of my closest buddies resulting from these groups. At Interscope, I was awed to hunt out so many AAPI executives on the agency all through all ranges, nevertheless significantly on the senior administration crew. My friendships all through this enterprise have in no way been additional quite a few and fulfilling than they’re now, and that’s fully due to the group we’ve constructed as a gaggle. So many individuals have been proper right here all alongside, nevertheless now it’s easier than ever to meet each other, collaborate and champion one another. The influx of events spherical APAHM and Lunar New Yr current that more and more corporations are eager to place cash into Asian communities and help AAPI experience. I hope we proceed to assemble areas to uplift all underrepresented groups inside our enterprise.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
There’s nonetheless a disconnect with AAPI safety in media. I need additional people paid consideration to AAPI tales – good or unhealthy – and by no means merely all through APAHM. Inside our private group, we’re usually taught to respect hierarchy, to concede to authority, and to be grateful for what we already have. Nonetheless it’s not ample to solely be proper right here. We moreover should be talked about, celebrated, and seen. Visibility and recognition are outcomes we must always preserve pushing for.
Vivian Phan
TikTok
Senior supervisor of label & promotion partnerships
In her operate managing relationships with major label companions and promoting and advertising and marketing initiatives, Phan’s present campaigns for viral tracks embrace Thủy’s “Women Like Me Don’t Cry” (sped up), Justine Skye’s “Collide” (sped up) and Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Points.”
A Vietnamese-American native of Orange County, Phan was a pre-med pupil sooner than changing into a member of the Crowd Surf promoting and advertising and marketing firm in 2015. She finally lauched her private digital promoting and advertising and marketing and social media enterprise; by means of the years she has labored intently with artists akin to Becky G and CNCO, spearheading their social media strategies. She may also be a member of the Asian-American Collective, the place she has served as a mentor.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
There’s been an entire lot of progress since I started in music 10 years up to now. I remember being the one AANHPI employee at one amongst my jobs – there wasn’t illustration like there’s now. As we converse, our brothers and sisters are in administration roles, there are group groups like AAC and [the AAPI female-owned clothing brand] Asian-American Girl Membership, and there are Vietnamese-American artists like Thủy and Tongan-American artists like Dinah Jane who’re making an affect in music and all by means of our communities. Nonetheless, there’ll always be additional work to be accomplished. It’s vital that our group continues to help and uplift one another on account of no person else goes to care as loads as we do. That’s what my late dad taught me by means of his advocacy for our native Vietnamese group. He’s the reason for my passion and dedication to this.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
Inclusivity, invisibility and ignorance. Certain, there’s additional illustration, nevertheless we wish additional inclusion in all sides: a seat at every desk (not merely the AANHPI tables), roles on all forms of screens (not merely AANHPI motion pictures/reveals), presence on every stage (not merely the AANHPI ones). Our group can also experience feeling invisible or uncared for. We should always proceed using our voices to amplify our tales and remind others that we’re proper right here and we’re not going wherever. Lastly, ignorance surrounds us whether or not or not it’s in opposition to our cultures, our meals or our accents. People might assume that on account of we’ve an accent, we’re not intelligent or we don’t understand points clearly. The bias is unbelievable and it’s as a lot as us to downside them if we want change.
Frankie Yaptinchay
Amazon Music
Viewers development and ingenious companion
Yaptinchay has spearheaded the Amazon Music and Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective’s work to launch a HBCU Scholarship program referred to as Your Future Is Now. This program gives HBCU school college students a $10,000 scholarship and a week-long immersive program to meet with Amazon Music division leads. This initiative has donated music instruments grants to five HBCUs and created 12 scholarships for school children pursuing a occupation throughout the music enterprise.
He’s moreover a Recording Academy Governor and Co-Founding father of the Gold Music Alliance (GMA). This new collective was launched all through the 2024 Grammy week and is the first API focused initiative on the Recording Academy, amplifying Asian and Asian People throughout the music enterprise. He moreover spearheaded a collaboration with Asian American Girl Membership.
Have you ever ever seen progress throughout the music enterprise as far as AAPI illustration?
Utterly. There has always been AAPI illustration throughout the music enterprise, the big distinction now could possibly be that the contributions of Asian and Asian People are being acknowledged on a much bigger scale. And this isn’t merely in music. All through development, film, TV, sports activities actions, and meals, the AAPI group is driving the custom forward. We nonetheless have an prolonged approach to go, nevertheless before now few years I’ve seen progress throughout the accessibility of AAPI professionals and creatives throughout the music enterprise.
Merely take a look on the wide array of Asian and American experience featured at marquee festivals like Coachella this yr. The distinguished placement of 88Rising, Thuy, Ateez, the Rose, Yoasobi & Le Sserafim, Peggy Gou, and additional at these events demonstrates the worldwide affect these artists are making on the best diploma. These artists are breaking down obstacles and making historic previous, and I couldn’t be prouder on the visibility they’re providing for future generations. I moreover love seeing the group supporting one another in driving illustration forward due to AAPI focused organizations like Goldhouse, Character Media, Asian American Collective to allies similar to the Recording Academy which have highlighted and celebrated Asian illustration all through quite a few creator communities.
What do you assume might be essentially the most pressing problem the AAPI group goes by means of?
As strong as a result of the AAPI group is, I nonetheless think about we’re in a position to develop stronger collectively. We’d like additional collaboration! There are so many great fully totally different groups doing unbelievable work throughout the enterprise, and I actually really feel there are nonetheless dots to be linked to amplify their contributions on a worldwide diploma (to not level out, discovering one another). I consider the AAPI group nonetheless faces factors accessing roles, networks, and sources. I moreover think about AAPI creators nonetheless are looking for group even amongst their very personal peer groups. I’d prefer to see the enlargement all through the group internally to help develop the framework and assemble avenues for the next know-how.
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