88rising launches a radio channel with SiriusXM dedicated to Asian artists

88rising is teaming up with US broadcaster SirusXM to launch an all-Asian, multi-genre internet radio channel that will be available across the US. The 24/7 station is already live and is the first of its kind on American radio. 88rising Radio will be accessible through online streaming and the SirusXM app.

88rising is a music and media entity founded by Sean Miyashiro whose label rose to fame with a roster of several high profile Asian acts Rich Brian, NIKI, Joji and the Higher Brothers. In addition to songs from the label’s own artists, this newest outlet will allow Asian artists across an array of genres to gain more exposure in the west as well as garnering bigger royalties for radio play. Beyond hip hop, 88rising Radio will broadcast K-Pop, Asian RnB and more with music from BLACKPINK, BTS, Iñigo Pascual, Jackson Wang and even Peggy Gou from Asian countries including South Korea, Japan, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam

Several shows are also in the works which will be dedicated to sub genres like Japanese city pop and Korean RnB from the 2000s, as well as a six-part comedy show hosted by comedian Joel Kim Booster that explores Asian-American stereotypes called The Greatest 8.

The project has been been in the works for more than a year now and although it was delayed by the pandemic, the heightened streaming age has only further underscored the rising global popularity of Asian music.

"This is a great indicator of where Asian music has come today,” Miyashiro said to Billboard. “Just playing Asian music 24 hours a day is a huge win and a massive step forward.”

Billboard went on to say that aside from Japan, Asia’s music market revenues experienced their second-straight year of double-digit growth in 2019, rising by 11.5% to $1.71 billion.

Miyashiro added that he hopes the channel will ultimately become a “living and breathing universe of Asian music and culture, where we would develop a lot of different shows with personalities that have distinct point of views.”

Once the pandemic subsides and travel resumes, the channel will also be a base for interviews, where touring artists can deliver live-on-air performances, conduct interviews and interact with listeners at SiriusXM’s Los Angeles and New York studios.

Since launching just five years ago, 88rising has long been considered a pioneer in bridging the gap between eastern and western music cultures. This latest move will no doubt help Asian artists expand their footprint and further bolster cutting-edge Asian music culture.

88RISING RADIO is available for streaming now on SiriuxXM

[via Billboard]