Southeast Asia is home to a diverse, vibrant, and rapidly evolving music scene. A culturally rich region, the area’s musical landscape is also one to watch. Filled with emerging artists across different genres, many of these acts have gained attention far beyond their home countries, helping define the sound of Southeast Asian music today.
Blending global influences with local culture, language, and storytelling, these homegrown talents create music that feels fresh and uniquely their own. More importantly, they remind us that music exists across a wide range that goes far beyond what we already know. Countless artists may not always be on our radar, but they deserve far more recognition.
Get to know some of the best Southeast Asian musical artists you should be paying attention to right now. You’ll never know, a SEA playlist might be your next favorite discovery.
Cup of Joe, Philippines
A pop-rock band based in the Philippines, Cup of Joe soon rose beyond the city of Baguio to nationwide recognition, with hits like “Misteryoso” and “Estranghero.” Consisting of members Gian Bernardino, Raphaell Ridao, Gabriel Fernandez, CJ Fernandez, and Xen Gareza, the band has helped define the sound of modern Filipino pop-rock, truly staying true to the footsteps of their predecessors.
The band’s biggest hit as of this writing is the emotional synth-pop "Multo," from their debut studio album, "Silakbo." The track, translated to "ghost" in English, currently has more than 500 million streams on Spotify, resonating deeply with listeners with its themes of loss, longing, and heartbreak.
Listen to Cup of Joe on Spotify.
Regina Song, Singapore
There’s something about Regina Song’s music that makes you want to fall in love, savor the euphoric highs of first love, and feel butterflies in your stomach all over again. The Singaporean singer-songwriter, whose single “the cutest pair” proved to be a hit, debuted with the single “LUCAS” and released her first studio album, "fangirl," in 2024.
Dabbling in pop and R&B, the singer stands out with her soulful vocals and undeniable talent for songwriting. Listen to Regina Song's captivating music on Spotify.
MILLI, Thailand
Born Danupha Khanatheerakul, MILLI is a Thai rapper and singer who has made a name for herself as one of the country’s rising talents. In 2022, she made history as the first Thai artist ever to perform on the stage of Coachella — just one of the biggest annual music festivals in the world, mind you.
While MILLI’s musical talent is already a given, she is best known for reinventing her sound and experimenting with a variety of genres, including pop, R&B, hip-hop, and more, making her work all the more distinctive and uniquely hers. The “ONE PUNCH” singer is also known for her collaborations with other artists, including "Just Being Friendly" with Thai band Tilly Birds, "Mirror Mirror" with F.HERO and Stray Kids’ Changbin, and "SORRY" with Flower.far and GALCHANIE.
Explore MILLI’s diverse music on Spotify.
Firdhaus, Malaysia
Firdhaus Farmizi, known professionally as just Firdhaus, is a Malaysian singer-songwriter who has gained widespread attention for his introspective and emotionally charged Mandopop ballads. He uses his fluency in Mandarin, which he became fluent in through his schooling, to connect with listeners across different parts of Asia and beyond.
Exploring themes of personal reflection, love, longing, and more, Firdhaus rose to prominence after the 2020 Mandopop single, “阿拉斯加海湾 Gulf of Alaska,” went viral. Since then, he has continued to release heartfelt music and grow a dedicated fanbase, continuing to resonate deeply with listeners across all corners of the region.
Take time to relax (and perhaps reflect) while listening to Firdhaus’ soothing vocals on Spotify.
52Hz, Vietnam
Rising Vietnamese singer-songwriter 52Hz first began her music career under the stage name Alice. Known as one of the contestants of the reality music program "Em Xinh 'Say Hi'" before making a name for herself as 52Hz, she is an artist who is not afraid to explore different musical terrains, from R&B to indie-pop and more.
Her breakout hit “Đợi” marked a significant milestone in her career, helping establish her identity as 52Hz and introducing her music to a wider audience.
Listen to 52Hz on Spotify.
NIKI, Indonesia
Of course, this list wouldn’t be complete without Indonesian singer-songwriter NIKI. Known for tracks like "Backburner," "Lowkey," and "Take A Chance With Me," the alternative pop artist stands as one of the most prominent acts under 88rising — a label celebrated for bringing Asian music to a global audience.
NIKI’s music has appeared on numerous “Best of” lists, with her debut studio album MOONCHILD earning strong critical praise. Hailed as one of the most-streamed Indonesian artists, NIKI also garnered even more widespread attention with her rendition of "You'll Be in My Heart," the 1999 song from Disney's “Tarzan.”
Listen to NIKI's soft, distinctive voice and explore her emotionally rich music on Spotify.
