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 people 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 workers who built the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Naturally, the contributions and influence of Asian and Pacific Islander people includes music. Let’s celebrate 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, Asian American 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
Mitski – A Pearl
Japanese Breakfast – Paprika
Asobi Seksu – Thursday
Don Ho – Tiny Bubbles
Sean Lennon – Dead Meat
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole – Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World
Anderson Paak – Make It Better feat. Smokey Robinson