May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a celebration of the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

First designated by Congress in 1979 as a week-long celebration, in 1992, Congress passed a law which annually designated May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. May was chosen because it commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States, which happened on May 7, 1843. It also marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 — a project on which the majority of the workers who built the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Naturally, the contributions and influence of Asian and Pacific Islander people includes music. Let’s celebrate the beginning of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with music! For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs do you want to hear by Asian and Pacific Islander artists?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
Japanese Breakfast - Be Sweet
Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - When We Swam
Toro Y Moi - Freelance
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Mosquito
Beabadoobee - He Gets Me So High
Sean Lennon - On Again, Off Again
Kishi Bashi - Can't Let Go, Juno
The Linda Lindas - Oh! (bonus)