Hear from AAPI musicians, poets & more during 88rising’s immersive benefit concert

As we near the end of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 88rising will be hosting a special benefit concert and immersive cultural experience celebrating the Asian community that will air live on 88rising Radio (Ch. 305) on May 26 at 7pm PST (10pm ET).

A little over a year after the 2020 Asia Rising Forever benefit livestream, which drew in 8.5 million viewers and trended No. 1 on YouTube and Twitter, 88rising continues their longstanding commitment to amplifying Asian voices during Asia Rising Together.

The concert will feature global participation from artists around the world, including Atarashii Gakko!, Audrey Mika, Audrey Nuna, Bizzy, Guapdad 4000, eaJ (of Day6), KOAD, Luna Li, mxmtoon, NIKI, Seori, Tiger JK, yoonmirae. Fans can also hear guest appearances by RZA, Dumbfoundead, Ocean Vuong, and a special introduction by CL. Throughout the show, the audience will witness a series of intimate performances, punctuated by moments of poetry, meditation, and a special surprise or two.

“This is a really unique livestream centered around family and culture,” Audrey Mika said. “I filmed part of my set with my mom and sister, and being able to share our Japanese roots on this platform is really special to me. I hope this shows everyone you can chase your dreams, stay true to yourself, and be proud of who you are in the process.”

In tandem with these inspired musical performances, the event will highlight artist stories and identity through a variety of programming while spotlighting AAPI businesses and organizations across industries. 88rising is working alongside Sean Kusanagi, Creative Director of Odesza’s Foreign Family Collective, to direct this piece. Kusanagi’s documentary and creative backgrounds work together to deliver powerful, personal family stories to the next generation, woven in with music and art.

“88rising is committed to using music and our platforms to elevate AAPI voices, to raise awareness for issues affecting our AAPI community, and to denounce anti-Asian hate,” Sean Miyashiro, the CEO and Founder of 88rising, said. “We are proud to bring this benefit concert along with our many other AAPI-focused initiatives to the forefront so that everyone can have a hand in making the world a more peaceful place.”

Donations from the stream will support Asian Mental Health Collective, which creates a supportive and empathetic community, collaborates with mental health professionals and organizations, and celebrates mental health stories as Asians. The stream will also spotlight the Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay and MAMA Los Angeles. These organizations, and many others, are working tirelessly to build community and power. The Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay (VACCEB) serves people of Asian ancestry and other vulnerable, forgotten communities in need in the Bay Area. MAMA is a multicultural restaurant platform dedicated to preserving immigrant culture through food. When many of LA’s most-loved ethnic restaurants faced closure during the pandemic, they created an event series called MAMA’s Drive-By Kitchen reimagining the take-out model to provide support, along with a meal-matching program feeding senior citizens across Los Angeles. Lastly, Burdock Media is an arts & culture platform, celebrating multi-dimensional Asian American experiences.

Viewers can also tune in to the concert through 88rising’s Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter accounts.