May is Asian Heritage Month where we celebrate and acknowledge the contributions and achievements of Asian Canadians past, present, and future. The Asian-Canadian offerings to the music industry are no different. From honoring traditional cultural Asian origins to creating their own sound, these Vancouver-based Asian-Canadian artists are bringing their talents to main stages across the lower mainland.
Emily M Cheung
In her debut single, ‘Lakmé and Mallika’, Cheung’s angelic sound takes your breath away with her full notes and smooth transitions. Cheung is a versatile singer who has spent much of her career in concert, touring around the world. We hope that she continues her journey in recording to share her gift with us.
Website: emilymcheung.com
Instagram: @emilymcheu
Monte.Xto
Paolo Gabriel, known to the music industry as Monte.Xto (pronounced monte cristo) is a Filipino-Canadian music artist. If you scroll through his SoundCloud, you will find a unique sound directed by emotions of love and heartbreak. His recent release, “For the Weekend” on SoundCloud, shows the intricacy of his tracks and use of pauses in his lyrics to emphasize his message.
Instagram: @mnt.xto
Kardias Quing
With nuances of R&B and pop influences and a dedication to honest lyrics, we have Kardias Quing, an alternative Pop/R&B artist based out of Vancouver. Born and raised in the Tri-cities, Quing explores themes of mindfulness and love while staying true to the meaning of her name, ‘rule through the heart.’ Catch her latest release, ‘Cocoa,’ in collaboration with Infinnit and Corbin VanderZalm.
Website: kardiasquing.com
Instagram: @kardiasquing
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kardiasquing
Emmalyn Estrada
The multitalented Emmalyn Estrada graces us by screen and sound. Estrada is a Filipino-Canadian, born and raised in Surrey, BC, and began her screen career with a reoccurring role in ‘Bates Motel.’ Her music career took off when she joined the all-girl group ‘G.R.L.’ Since then, she has branched out to find her unique sound and independent music path.
Instagram: @emmalynestrada
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75y1eTkF9JFAO2MIR2EXtg
Kid Koala
Originating out of Vancouver, BC, and now based out of Montreal, QC, Kid Koala is an established and successful DJ, performer, film composer, theatre producer, and visual artist. He entered the scene in 1994 as a DJ and his career continued to take off every turn he took. He has created a one-of-a-kind sound, seamlessly alternating between hip hop, ambient, alternative, and contemporary. This Chinese-Canadian artist has worked on compositions for films such as ‘The Great Gatsby’, ‘Baby Driver’, ‘Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,’ and many more. As he continues to tour and perform throughout his career, he still manages to spend much-needed family time with his wife and two children.
Website: https://kidkoala.com/
Instagram: @realkidkoala
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2s0438sn0pYL2OuukcFqPN
As we step into Asian Heritage Month, elevate the voices and stories of our fellow Asian-Canadians and celebrate the continued success and contribution to the growth and prosperity of Canadian culture. As the conversation around #StopAsianHate begins to amplify, we must stand behind our Asian counterparts in allyship and support.