Jackson Wang, Niki, Milli, Bibi and more: Meet 88rising – the trailblazing Asian collective making global moves

The biggest Chinese pop star in the world has just been ushered into a trailer on Universal’s backstage lot. Nervous-looking assistants surround him, but Jackson Wang – who wears his movie star looks as casually as he does a pair of flashy leopard print trousers – comes over for a bear hug. He’s in Los Angeles alongside a who’s who of superstars from across Asia at the final rehearsals for a gig like no other. Alongside South Korean rapper CL, Indonesian alternative hip-hop artist Warren Hue and Jakarta-born singer-songwriter Niki, Wang is here to prepare for 88rising’s historic main stage takeover at Coachella.

They’re the first record label in the Californian festival’s 23-year history to be afforded such an honour. Which isn’t bad going for a collective that was founded in 2015, and only started properly working with musicians in 2017. Since then, 88rising has…