88rising: The Pioneering Asian Music Collective

88rising is a groundbreaking music and media collective that has become a dominant force in popularizing Asian and Asian-American hip-hop and R&B on a global scale. Founded by Sean Miyashiro, the company operates as a hybrid record label, management firm, and content creator, launching the international careers of numerous artists from the Asian diaspora.

Early career

88rising was officially founded in 2015, though its roots trace back to the YouTube channel and blog "CXSHXNLY" run by Sean Miyashiro. The collective's name combines the Chinese symbol for double fortune with the rising sun, reflecting its pan-Asian vision. Its initial strategy focused on leveraging YouTube and social media to bridge the gap between Asian artists and Western audiences, starting with viral videos and curated playlists.

Breakthrough

The collective's breakthrough arrived in 2017 and 2018 with the explosive success of Indonesian rapper Rich Brian and Korean-American singer Joji. Rich Brian's viral hit "Dat $tick" in 2016 paved the way, but it was the release of his debut album Amen in 2018, which debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200, that solidified 88rising's industry credibility. This period also saw Joji's melancholic single "Slow Dancing in the Dark" achieve platinum certification in the United States.

Key tracks

Midsummer Madness — This 2018 posse cut featuring 88rising's core roster served as the collective's definitive anthem and introduced their collaborative sound to a massive audience.

Head In The Clouds — The title track from their first collaborative album in 2018 showcased the seamless blend of hip-hop and melodic pop that defines the 88rising signature style.

Indigo — Released by Korean R&B singer NIKI in 2022, this track exemplifies the label's expansion into sophisticated pop and R&B, earning critical acclaim.

California — A flagship single from Rich Brian, this song perfectly encapsulates the collective's theme of navigating Asian identity within Western culture.

88rising further cemented its status with the inaugural Head In The Clouds festival in Los Angeles in 2018, the first large-scale music festival in the United States dedicated to Asian talent. Their 2022 collaborative album Head In The Clouds Forever debuted at number 2 on Billboard's Independent Albums chart. The collective has fostered major collaborations, including work with artists like Playboi Carti, CL, and BIBI, and has seen its artists secure placements in major film soundtracks and video games.

Fans of 88rising's genre-blending approach often enjoy the music of Rich Brian, a foundational 88rising artist known for his witty lyricism and hip-hop beats. Joji offers a darker, more introspective take on R&B and pop that originated from the collective. Jackson Wang shares a similar cross-cultural appeal, merging Mandarin and English lyrics with hip-hop and pop production. Warren Hue represents the newer generation of 88rising's eclectic, genre-defying talent.

The innovative sound of 88rising is a staple on modern radio formats, particularly on forward-thinking online radio streams and independent music radio stations that champion global hip-hop and cross-cultural pop. Their frequent chart entries and viral hits ensure regular rotation on stations targeting a young, internationally-minded audience.

Listeners can explore the dynamic catalog of 88rising and its artists through the various radio stations featured on onairium.com. Tune in to discover the hits and deep cuts that have made this collective a defining voice in contemporary global music.