One of the many ways to celebrate AAPI heritage month is by acknowledging Asian-American artists. A specific album that has caught my attention recently is “Asha’s Awakening” by Raveena, also known as the “Punjabi Space Princess.” Raveena is a Indian-American musician that draws on South Asian and Western inspirations. Raveena refuses to assimilate her sound and aesthetic to mainstream Western pop and R&B norms, and she unapologetically flaunts her pride for her culture through music. Raveena’s sound is authentic to her roots, not only with traditional Indian instrumentals, but also lyrically as she occasionally switches between English and Hindi. The melodies are interwoven with South Asian soundscapes and R&B fusion. The album itself is centered around self love, compassion, and healing energy, which is reinforced by a 13 minute guided meditation that serves as the final track on the album.
Bollywood instrumentals and melodies have long been used in modern music to enhance the soundscapes of opposing genres. The cultural appropriation of South Asian sounds without acknowledgment contributes to the erasure of South Asian voices and culture. This album stays true to acknowledging South Asian heritage without the pressure to assimilate to the dominant narratives of Western music. Raveena uses sounds from her combined identity to demonstrate the rawness of fusion, creating an original and ethereal sound. Raveena embraces her heritage within all aspects of her identity, adorning herself with jhumkas, henna, bindi, and more. Within her music, persona, and all aspects of her identity, she is unapologetically South Asian.
