Tara FinleyIn honor of the Lunar New Year, 88rising hosted their inaugural Moonrise Gala at LA’s Milk Studios – a rousing event that has stayed on our minds ever since.
A one-of-a-kind party for a one-of-a-kind platform, the Lunar New Year celebration – hosted by American rapper Dumbfoundead – united 88rising’s collaborators and community from the realms of music, fashion, entertainment and media. The night honored singer and rapper Anderson .Paak, entertainer, entrepreneur, and fashion icon Jackson Wang, Indonesian singer-songwriter and producer NIKI, Filipino-American dance-pop singer Jocelyn Enriquez, legendary hip-hop turntablists group Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and filmmaker behind Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Destin Daniel Cretton.
Eyedress at the 88rising Moonrise Gala
/ Photo by Kyle Goldberg (BFA)
88rising is a pioneering global music and media company representing the best of Asian talent, as proven by the surprise performances of the night and the transformative musical experiences that followed. Filipino singer-songwriter and rapper Eyedress opened the ceremony, followed by event honoree Jocelyn Enriquez, the first Filipino-American to find success in the mainstream industry with her hit single “Do You Miss Me.”
Hip-hop turntablist group Invisibl Skratch Piklz was up next showcasing their boundary-pushing skills, followed by a performance from singer-songwriter NIKI, who has made history as the first Indonesian artist ever to grace the Coachella stage. The artist, who has sourced 2.1 billion streams, also headlined 88rising’s Head in the Clouds festivals in New York and Los Angeles as well.
The gala closed with a surprise performance by rapper and singer Warren Hue alongside instrumental band and production team BADBADNOTGOOD – both featured artists of 88rising’s new music and art collective, 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE.
BADBADNOTGOOD at the 88rising Moonrise Gala by Carly Stone (BFA)
The magic of the night was woven into every detail, from entrance to exit. From an ethereal red-toned entry tunnel to a meal that was artistry on its own, each performance and activation brought the concept of 88rising to life.
Johnnie Walker | 2024 Moonrise Gala by 88rising
Provided by 88rising’s founding New Year partner, Johnnie Walker Blended Scotch Whisky, guests enjoyed a signature menu of Johnnie Walker Blue Label cocktails at elevated bars featuring the designs of this year’s Johnnie Walker Blue Label Lunar New Year Bottle created by renowned visual artist James Jean. Chubby Group, parent company of Niku X, catered an exclusive Moonrise-specific tasting menu and gave free lifetime membership to select guests celebrating a first-ever gala with 88rising. An artistic installation, inspired by the Moonrise Gala and designed with Lexus, showcased the all-electric Lexus RZ. The gala’s heightened visual experience, defined by high-end glamor and warm celebration, was curated by K2, a creative and event production agency part of the Independents Group, whose work includes the book of Hov Exhibition in Brooklyn and Kering Generation award in Shanghai. The evening was made possible through the generous support of these Moonrise partners: Johnnie Walker Blue Label, Chubby Group – Niku X, Lexus and Microsoft.
Johnnie Walker | 2024 Moonrise Gala by 88rising
Honorees were presented with the inaugural Moonrise Medal — a bespoke creation crafted by NYC-based jewelry line Anna Kikue, which celebrates the New Year by intricately blending tradition with innovation. The recipients of the Moonrise Medal were Anderson .Paak, Jackson Wang, NIKI, Jocelyn Enriquez, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and Destin Daniel Cretton, gifted for their contributions to advancing Asian culture globally and within the creative community.
To learn more about 88rising, a company that was awarded Label of the Year by NetEase, one of China’s largest music streaming platforms and has over 160 million followers across global social media platforms and over 50 billion total streams and views, check out these links: Website | TikTok | YouTube | X | Instagram | Facebook
Lexus | 2024 Moonrise Gala by 88rising
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