JoySauce Radio: When Black and Asian artists join forces, magic happens
Let's cap off Black History Month with some all-time favorite tracks featuring both Black and Asian talent
From left, cover art for "In the Joy" by JJ Lin ft. Anderson .Paak, "Back to the Streets" by Saweetie feat. Jhené Aiko, and "wherever u r" by UMI ft. V of BTS.
Design by Ryan Quan
Words by Anjana Pawa
JoySauce Radio: Consider JoySauce Radio our own personal song recommendations—from the tunes and videos our writers love to DJ-produced mixes of dance floor bangers—all from Asian and Pacific Islander artists around the world.
Happy Black History Month, JoySauce Radio listeners. Music has always been a bridge, the magic that connects us when the world tries to separate us. Black music has shaped the sound of the world, from the early days of jazz to hip-hop, R&B, and house, and AA+PI artists have long been listening, learning, and remixing. From the improvisation of jazz to the storytelling of hip-hop, Black artists created musical languages that gave generations of Asian musicians new ways to express joy and resistance. This month’s collection of songs includes collaborations between Asian artists and Black artists and paints a living picture of solidarity between the two communities, proving that our cultures don't just intersect, they harmonize.
"Starving" by Audrey Nuna ft. Teezo Touchdown
This track from two years ago is a complete earworm. The song, which is a rare collaboration between Korean American singer Audrey Nuna and American rapper Teezo Touchdown, features sleek production and a standout verse from Teezo, whose eccentric high energy perfectly balances Nuna’s soft and controlled vocals. The two artists are both known for being genre-defiers in their own spaces, and "Starving" was the moment where their experimental, avant-garde worlds finally collided. The track may be a throwback, but it feels and sounds timeless.
"wherever u r" by UMI ft. V of BTS
UMI, a Japanese and Black artist, originally wrote the song as a tribute to her grandmother in Japan, but it eventually evolved into a cross-cultural collaboration when she connected with BTS’s V over a mutual love for the genre of neo soul. The two handled the collaboration entirely online while they were thousands of miles apart, one in America and one in Korea, highlighting a shared frequency of music that has the ability to transcend distance. The digital collaboration and how they connected are represented in the song’s screen-recorded visuals. The track is a gentle, stripped-back masterpiece that celebrates true connection over music.
"Back to the Streets" by Saweetie feat. Jhené Aiko
This throwback from 2020 is a West Coast anthem and we’re definitely putting it back on our playlists. Saweetie and Aiko both share Black and East Asian heritage, and the two teamed up for a laid-back, melodic track about moving on and leveling up. This iconic collaboration between two California natives was also produced by the legendary Timbaland, giving it that extra edge. Saweetie delivers her verses with a relaxed, confident flow, while Jhené Aiko provides her signature ethereal vocals to the hook and bridge. The accompanying music video is equally dreamy, with a pastel color palette, showing both women floating above the clouds.
"When I’m With You" by LISA ft. Tyla
Merging the star power of Thailand’s LISA with South Africa’s Tyla (who also has Indian and Indo-Mauritian heritage), this collaboration from last year was born in a Los Angeles studio where the two artists immediately bonded over their distinct but similar rhythmic styles. As routine for the two artists, the track moved beyond the charts to become a cultural moment. The video, which features the two at a party, is sexy and stylish. You’ll want to put this hot track back on your playlists to warm yourself up for the rest of the winter.
"In the Joy" by JJ Lin ft. Anderson .Paak
Originally released as the theme for the 2024 documentary The Bridge, this song is a literal celebration of the AA+PI and Black communities coming together to honor shared achievements. JJ Lin, a known figure in Mandopop, joined forces with Anderson .Paak, who has been a vocal champion of his own Black and Korean heritage, to create a track that is upbeat and inspiring. The song was created to bridge the "East and West," and it serves as a joyous anthem of mutual respect and a reminder that, when these two cultures merge, the result is funky, fresh, and fun.
Published on February 24, 2026
Words by Anjana Pawa
Anjana Pawa is a Brooklyn-based culture reporter who regularly covers music, entertainment and beauty. You can find her on Twitter at @apawawrites.
Art by Ryan Quan
Ryan Quan is JoySauce's social media manager, associate editor, and all-around visual eye. This queer, half-Chinese, half-Filipino writer and graphic designer loves everything related to music, creative nonfiction, and art. Based in Brooklyn, he spends most of his time dancing to hyperpop and accidentally falling asleep on the subway. Follow him on Instagram at @ryanquans, and check out his work on his website.