Moonrise Gala

On February 17th, Los Angeles' Milk Studios hosted 88rising's first-ever Moonrise Gala. The red-carpet event shone a spotlight on Asian creatives across the industries, honoring Asian pioneers like Grammy-winning musician Anderson Paak, entertainer and fashion icon Jackson Wang, singer-songwriter NIKI, filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, singer Jocelyn Enriquez, and turntablists Invisible Skratch Piklz.

You can feel the energy of Lunar New Year infused in the gala, from the moment guests were welcomed with a vibrant and crimson tunnel to a hangar that was transformed into a musical performance space. The Lexus RZ vehicles adorned the scene on one side of the space with its latest design, while Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails and Niku X bites were offered to the guests to start the evening.

Rising Filipino singer-songwriter Eyedress warmed up the crowd before legendary Filipina artist Jocelyn Enriquez took the stage, delivering a tribute to the late choreographer Mykal Anthony with her performance of her hit "Do You Miss Me." Next, Invisibl Skratch Piklz showcased their DJ skills before Indonesian singer NIKI captivated the crowd with her vocals and stage presence.

But Moonrise Gala wasn't just about established stars. It showcased the vibrant future of Asian talent with a special performance by rising rapper Warren Hue and the innovative production team BADBADNOTGOOD. Their collaborative project, 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, was a unique blend of contemporary sounds and 90s Asian American cultural influences, leaving everyone buzzing with anticipation.

As the night concluded, the feeling was one of shared inspiration and excitement. 88rising's Moonrise Gala embodied their commitment to amplifying Asian voices, uniting a diverse crowd under a shared celebration of talent and a promising future.

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