88rising

88rising came into existence in 2015 when Sean Miyashiro established the media collective and record label to spotlight Asian artists. Its roster soon encompassed Indonesian musicians Rich Brian and Niki, Japan-born singer/songwriter Joji, the Chinese rap foursome Higher Brothers, and additional talents. The outfit built its audience through targeted fan engagement and international culture festivals while also issuing the Head in the Clouds compilations and supplying music for the 2021 film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

The group first operated as CXSHXNLY and counted among its earliest signees Filipino-American singer/dancer Brian Puspos, Korean-American rapper Jonathan Park (fka Dumbfoundead), and Josh Pan. After Pan uncovered Keith Ape’s “It G Ma,” Miyashiro assembled a remix that united A$AP Ferg, Waka Flocka Flame, and Dumbfoundead, and the track quickly spread online. The 2016 rebrand to 88rising brought further viral acts aboard, among them Rich Brian following the breakout of his single “Dat $tick,” Joji as the artistic vehicle for former Internet comedian George Miller, and the Mandarin-speaking trap quartet Higher Brothers from Chengdu, China. Later additions included Indonesian singer NIKI, Japanese singer Rina Sawayama, Japanese-American hip-hop producer Sen Morimoto, and Los Angeles-bred R&B singer August 08.

In 2018 the label mounted worldwide tours that prioritized Asian markets alongside a U.S. run. To accompany the travels it released its first single under the 88rising name, “Midsummer Madness,” which amassed millions of streams and appeared on the debut compilation Head in the Clouds alongside guests such as Yung Bans, 03 Greedo, BlocBoy JB, and Playboi Carti. That year also saw the launch of the inaugural Head in the Clouds festival in Los Angeles, an Asian-centric event that featured Zion T, Duckwrth, Laff Traxx, and the 88rising roster. Its success led to a second edition less than a year later starring Rich Brian, Joji, Higher Brothers, K-pop group Ikon, and Indonesian singer Stephanie Poetri. The same period brought Head in the Clouds II, which contained the hit “These Nights.”

Releases from Niki (Moonchild) and Joji (Nectar) in 2020 sustained the label’s profile even as the COVID-19 pandemic postponed live Head in the Clouds dates. Virtual events titled Asia Rising Forever and Double Happiness streamed that year, and a dedicated 88rising satellite radio station for Asian artists began broadcasting in December. Once restrictions lifted, 88rising performed at the 2022 Coachella festival, presenting K-pop greats CL and 2NE1, Japanese pop icon Hikaru Utada, and roster members Jackson Wang and Warren Hue. Niki and Joji each mounted sell-out tours that accompanied their critically praised projects.