Crimson portals carried guests, performers, and honorees (the laundry list of which included Anderson .Paak, Jackson Wang, NIKI, Invisibl Skratch Piklz, Daniel Destin Cretton, & Jocelyn Enriquez) through the hallowed Hollywood halls into a cerulean expanse, evocative of the fountainous Johnnie Walker Blue Label exclusively on tap for the evening. The term “Asian Excellence” was thrown around more than a few times— between acceptance speeches, performances, and a general appraisal of what the night accomplished— and it was imbued in every corner of the Milk Studios space, dressed in lucky Lunar New Year red and Johnnie Walker blue. Unending A5 Japanese Wagyu, provided by Chubby Group-Niku X, was served in sliders, in curries, accompanied by caviar, and by the slice, topped with au jus and fresh horseradish. And that just covers hors d’oeuvres.
Part-awards show, part-Lunar New Year celebration, part-history-making voyage, stamping a future of representation and trailblazing for the Asian creative community globally: the inaugural Moonrise Gala paid homage and attention to the night’s every detail. The invitation denoted dress inspired by one’s culture, and the resulting ensembles did not disappoint. Traditional garments from each corner of Asia were donned in a modern context, while some eschewed custom altogether, opting to express themselves in truest form. Excellence in practice.
The red carpet (guarded by Milk Studios’ monolithic entryway, draped in red itself, and flanked by the transformed red, tasseled near-art piece of a foyer) whisked attendees into a seated performance portion. Profound words of one’s heritage and influence were delivered by Spotify’s Global Head of Editorial Sulinna Ong and filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton. Jocelyn Enriquez delivered a jaw-dropping performance to standing ovation, three decades after her initial foray as the first Filipino American to top charts within the industry. Anderson .Paak offered a jovial monologue as he was recognized for his indelible imprint on music, discussing his Black-Korean background and taking care to mention his many, many Grammy win (diligently noting he was the only honoree to receive a gramophone, not to mention eight). Chinese-born entrepreneur and entertainer Jackson Wang humbly accepted his medal, one of the last of the night to be awarded, with few words more than “Remember: 88Rising, always fucking rising!” The medals themselves were a feat of design, crafted by New York-based jeweler Anna Kikue. The maiden medal acts as a crest to tie the 88Rising family to one another, bound in brilliance.
The seated performance portion was flanked by a raucous celebration, owed to the numerous triumphs of the evening: the individual success of each talent in the room, 88Rising’s meteoric flight within the entertainment industry and beyond, and the sheer amount of will, camaraderie, and belief involved in making this first event of its kind come to fruition. More craft cocktails are poured and toasted (each honored an aspect of the Lunar New Year and traditionally Asian Ingredients. The Dragon’s Lair, adeptly named for the Year of the Dragon, was redolent of a delicate tea, while others breathed smoke through dry ice at the glass’ bottom), and a surprise showing from 88Rising’s newest project, 1999: Write the Future. Icy lotus flower graphics bloomed along a customizable matcha ice cream bar, savored as bonds were forged between collaborators, new and old. Throughout the spectacle, one thing remained consistent: pride. In oneself, one’s origins, and the legacy established in that very room— a result of all nights previous and all nights to come, both the first of many and a long time coming, always rising.
By Delaney Willet