Words by Samantha Pak
In an effort to bring you more joy, we wanted to share a few of our favorite music videos—both the coolest new releases and older clips from AAPI artists we think just don’t get enough mainstream play. This week’s theme: A little bit of rhythm, a little bit of blues. Have a video you think we should know about? Hit us up at pitches@joysauce.com.
‘Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.)’ by Jhené Aiko, ft. Future and Miguel (2020): Embracing female sexuality
Jhené Aiko once tweeted, “I am less Black (than) someone half Black, but also less white (than) someone half white...and Asian is the least thing I am.” By “least,” she means a quarter Japanese. Aiko started making a name for herself as soon as she began popping up in B2K music videos back in the early 2000s and has collaborated with the likes of Big Sean, Drake, H.E.R. and Saweetie. Known for her sweet soprano voice and freestyling flow, Aiko is often associated with alternative R&B. But with influences including 2Pac, Aaliyah, Eminem, Brandy and TLC, she also gives off old-school vibes. And as a product of 1990s/2000s hip-hop/R&B, I am here for it.
In “Happiness Over Everything (H.O.E.),” from her 2020 Grammy-nominated album Chilombo, Aiko (along with Future and Miguel) flips the script, showing there’s nothing wrong with a woman embracing her sexuality and going after what she wants.
‘Lose’ by Niki (2020): Peak wallowing music
In 2017, Nicole Zefanya, better known as Niki, moved from Jakarta, Indonesia to Nashville to study music at Lipscomb University. She’s made it her mission to empower Asians and Asian Americans through her music and make sure they feel heard and understood. During her 2019 performance at the Head in the Clouds festival, the singer—whose sound ranges from folk/indie to 1990s R&B—told an audience of more than 10,000 people that as an Asian female, she did not take that day or the stage for granted.
“Lose,” off of Niki’s 2020 album Moonchild, is about being in a toxic relationship, accepting that it’s an unhealthy situation and bracing for the loss of that relationship. With lyrics like “Yeah, you don't gotta lose your mind/Every time I don't call/And I should never have to win your love/Then hate myself when I don't, oh, oh,” Niki just hits all the marks of peak wallowing music. I mean that in the best way because, call me weird, but I love a sad love song—even (or especially) when I’m not sad. The video, which features Niki walking around a reflective pool, highlights the power and emotion of her voice.
‘Bounce’ by Jadagrace (2019): Former child star with a mad flow
Born Jadagrace Michiko Gordy-Nash, Jadagrace released her first song, “Express Yourself,” at the tender age of 9. She signed her first record deal about four years later. The daughter of a Japanese American mother and Black father, she started out dancing when she was 5 and has a few acting credits to her name, including her own TV show—all on top of her singing and rapping (overachiever, much?).
In “Bounce,” off the 2020 grouptherapy. album this is not the album., Jadagrace shows off her impressive rhyming abilities. She raps, “Lookin’ this incredible/For me, simple, it’s breathin’ this/Said he can't believe it, I said ‘Seein’ is believin’/But you really missed your window/Bitch, it’s too late if you readin’ this.” She’s got the flow of someone much older and experienced than her 21 years. She doesn’t try to act too old for her age, which can sometimes happen when artists overcompensate (the swings were a nice touch).
Published on October 31, 2022
Words by Samantha Pak
Samantha Pak (she/her) is an award-winning Cambodian American journalist from the Seattle area and assistant editor for JoySauce. She spends more time than she’ll admit shopping for books than actually reading them, and has made it her mission to show others how amazing Southeast Asian people are. Follow her on Twitter at @iam_sammi and on Instagram at @sammi.pak.