Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2025: What We're Listening To
Staff Picks for the Month of May and Beyond
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2025 with our calendar of live events, recommendations, and on-demand content!
Discover your newest binge and get to know our staff a little better with the Asia Society Texas team's favorite ways to stay entertained!
As part of our 31 Ways to Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2025, enjoy this special edition of what our staff is listening to! With recommendations spanning hip-hop to dream pop to heavy metal, we invite you to dive in for a fresh understanding and appreciation of Asian and Asian American creatives hitting the airwaves.
Jump to:
Ease Your Soul | Genre-Defying Bangers | Move-Your-Body Pops and Bops | Rock, Beats, and Everything In-Between | Podcasts
Ease Your Soul
For those quiet afternoons, these artists and albums offer up a tranquil ambiance. This category features a mix of instrumental music, R&B, and dream pop beats to help you slow down and relax.
Star-Bound Lovers by Joel Sunny
Style: Instrumental Pop / Instrumental
Recommended by Rebecca Becerra, Exhibitions Manager and Registrar
Find More: Website | Instagram
D.O.
Style: K-Pop / R&B/ Soul
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Instagram
Mina Okabe
Style: Pop / Dream Pop
Recommended by Nandini Kommana, Development Associate
Find More: Website | Instagram
Riaan
Style: Pop / Dream Pop
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Website | Instagram
KIMMUSEUM
Style: Soulful Pop / R&B/ Soul
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Instagram
Fujii Kaze
Style: Soulful Pop / Trap
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager, and Megan Sham, Business and Policy Programs Associate
Find More: Website | Instagram
Genre-Defying Bangers
These artists like to get experimental and explore the boundaries of their genres. From blending musical traditions to introducing new tempos, this category will take you on a musical journey.
Every Video Without Your Face, Every Sound Without Your Name by Lucy Liyou
Style: Experimental Pop / Folk/ Dream Pop
Recommended by Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture
Find More: Bandcamp | Instagram
Mahōgakkō by Hakushi Hasegawa
Style: Experimental Pop / Hyperspeed Club
Recommended by Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture
Find More: Website | Instagram
Übermensch by G-Dragon
Style: K-pop / Hip-Hop / Trap
Recommended by Phuong Ha, Associate Director of Education and Outreach, and Rebecca Becerra, Exhibitions Manager and Registrar
Find More: Website | Instagram
Mini World by Indila
Style: Pop / Dance / Experimental Pop
Recommended by Rebecca Becerra, Exhibitions Manager and Registrar
Find More: YouTube | Instagram
Elyanna
Style: Pop / Experimental Pop / Arabic Pop
Recommended by Nandini Kommana, Development Associate
Find More: Website | Instagram
Move-Your-Body Pop and Bops
Featuring fun beats, these artists and albums will make you want to get up and dance with catchy and upbeat songs.
LEGION by Creepy Nuts
Style: Hip-Hop / Rap
Recommended by Rebecca Becerra, Exhibitions Manager and Registrar
Find More: Website | Instagram
CIRCA91 by Ruby Ibarra
Style: Hip-Hop / Rap
Recommended by Kat Del Rosario, Communications Coordinator
Find More: Website | Instagram
SCIENCE FICTION by Hikaru Utada
Style: J-pop / R&B / Soul
Recommended by Phuong Ha, Associate Director of Education and Outreach
Find More: Website | Instagram
ATEEZ
Style: K-pop
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Website | Instagram
ENHYPEN
Style: K-pop
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Instagram
aespa
Style: K-pop / Hip-Hop / R&B
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Website | Instagram
Stray Kids
Style: K-pop / Hip-Hop / Trap
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Website | Instagram
Cinderella by Tata Young
Style: Pop / Electropop / Thai Pop
Recommended by Janjay Mason, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Find More: Instagram
Rosie by Rosé
Style: Pop / Pop Rock / Electropop
Recommended by Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture
Find More: Website | Instagram
GUN GUN
Style: Pop / Thai Pop
Recommended by Nandini Kommana, Development Associate
Find More: YouTube | Instagram
Vaundy
Style: J-pop / Pop Rock / J-Rock
Recommended by Erin Elwin, Development Manager
Find More: Website | Instagram
Rock, Beats, and Everything In-Between
Traversing the wide range of rock music, from heavy metal to soft rock to indie alternatives, this category has an undertone of the foundations of traditional rock, with a little bit for everyone.
The Pillows
Style: Alternative Rock
Recommended by Brandon Cho, Production Technician
Find More: Website
This Is How Tomorrow Moves by Beabadoobee
Style: Alternative Rock / Indie Rock
Recommended by Stephanie Todd-Wong, Vice President, Communications and External Affairs
Find More: Website | Instagram
Yasmin Nur
Style: Alternative Rock / Indie Rock
Recommended by Janjay Mason, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Find More: Bandcamp | Instagram
Te Rā by Alien Weaponry
Style: Heavy Metal
Recommended by Kat Del Rosario, Communications Coordinator
Find More: Website | Instagram
For Melancholy Brunettes (and Sad Women) by Japanese Breakfast
Style: Indie Rock / Pop / Alternative
Recommended by Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture, and Stephanie Todd-Wong, Vice President, Communications and External Affairs
Find More: Website | Instagram
LOVELY SUNDAY by The Chairs
Style: Indie Rock / Pop / Alternative
Recommended by Uriel Sandoval, Education and Outreach Operations Coordinator
Find More: Website | Instagram
U D D by Up Dharma Down
Style: Indie Rock / Pop / Alternative
Recommended by Kat Del Rosario, Communications Coordinator
Find More: Website | Instagram
play with earth! 0.03 by Wave to Earth
Style: Indie Rock / Pop / Alternative
Recommended by Megan Sham, Business and Policy Programs Associate
Find More: Instagram
DETOX by One Ok Rock
Style: J-Rock
Recommended by Rebecca Becerra, Exhibitions Manager and Registrar
Find More: Website | Instagram
TORCH by Necry Talkie
Style: J-Rock / Pop Rock / Soft Rock
Recommended by Uriel Sandoval, Education and Outreach Operations Coordinator
Find More: Last.fm | Instagram
Podcasts
Explore topics including pop culture, mental health, and more, all centering the perspectives of Asian and Asian American hosts, guests, and communities.
Asians Do Therapy
Topics: Mental Health, Race, Identity, Culture
Host: Yin J. Li, MA LMFT
Recommended by Janjay Mason, Education and Outreach Coordinator
Find More: Website | Instagram
Las Culturistas
Topics: Pop Culture, Comedy, Culture
Hosts: Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers
Recommended by Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture
Find More: iHeartRadio | Instagram
Primer
Topics: Music
Recommended by Michael Buening, Director of Performing Arts and Culture
Find More: Website | Instagram
Self Evident
Topics: Race, Culture, Identity
Host: Cathy Erway
Recommended by Rayén Torres, Guest Services Manager
Find more: Website | Instagram
The Asian Mental Health Podcast
Topics: Mental Health, Wellbeing, Culture
Host: Shapes and Sounds
Recommended by Megan Sham, Business and Policy Programs Associate
Find more: Website |
About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar of events for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.
At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.
Presenting Sponsor of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas
Sponsors of APAH Month
Comcast
CITGO
APAH Month 2025 Calendar
Digital Calendar Interactive/Printable PDF
Past APAH Month Calendars
2024: Highlights | Details
2023: Highlights | Details
2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
