K-pop music can be found throughout the world, from far flung little Chinese villages to big booming American cities playing the likes of 2NE1, B1A4, SHINee, or Big Bang. One of the quirks of K-pop is the mishmash of influences drawn from other cultures that come together in unique and interesting ways. If you listen you can hear influences from American Hip Hop, Rap and R&B, Brazilian Samba, Jamaican Reggae, and Dominican Batchata, Despite this patchwork of flavors though the artists themselves predominantly remain Korean. However, there’s a burgeoning bevy of mixed race and Black Artists in K-pop making their mark on the music scene. 
Lee Michelle (이미쉘)
Lee Michelle, born to a Korean mother and American father, gained notoriety for appearing on the first season of K-pop Star where she impressed the judges with her powerful vocals. Post show she was signed with YG Entertainment and set to debut as part of the girl group SuPearls. The group disbanded before they could make their first appearance. She parted ways with YG and joined DIMA Entertainment for training as a solo artist. She’s released three tracks “Without You” “I Can Sing” and “That’s Okay”.
Yoon Mi Rae(윤미래)
Born to a Korean mother and American father in Texas, Yoon (Natasha Shanta Reid) soon found herself living in Korea. She began her music career at 16 and has been charging ahead full steam ever since. She started with the group Uptown and a duo group, Tashannie, with singer Annie. Her time with uptown came to a close when several members spent jail time for drug charges. Yoon quickly moved on and set out on a solo career releasing several albums before transitioning again into the group MFBTYF (My Fans are Better Than Your Fans) with her husband Tiger JK and rapper Bizzy. She’s been in the music game in Korea for almost two decades.
Michael “Maniac” Horton
Along with Yoon Mi Rae, Michael Horton also got his start in the Korean music business with Uptown. He joined the group in 2009 after a shakeup of the lineup. Born to an American father and Korean Mother, Horton lived abroad in Germany, Korea, and the States. He joined his old band mate Snacky Chan to form New Dynasty in 2011. He’s now with Won Shot Entertainment and has dropped new music in the last year. He’s got skills but I could do without the homophobia.
Insooni(김인순)
Kim In-Soon remains the reigning diva of R&B flavored K-pop. She’s been holding it down since the late seventies, early eighties. She cites a sadly familiar story of mixed race children facing discrimination while growing up in Korean society. Her talent helped steer her through such hardship and she has gone on to become one of the most beloved artists in Korea.
RaNia’s Alex
Billed as the first African American in a Korean K-pop group, Alexandra Reid’s induction is preceded by artists like Yoon Mi Rae who debuted as part of Korean group Uptown. Still, Alex’s presence shouldn’t be slept on. It’s great that K-pop is taking steps to add more diversity to the ranks of K pop groups. Raina, currently has six members and Alex has stepped up as the new leader of the group.
Lee Man Bok (INK)
This guy is a blast from the past. His group, INK, debuted back in 1993. At the time of his debut he claimed to be of mixed Korean and African American descent. However, upon the death of his maternal grandmother learned that he was 100% black American. Ink’s big hit “Cinderella Complex” climbed the Korean music charts. He was also a part of a short lived Dance group called MIX after Ink disbanded. A couple years ago he appeared on the Korean program Dancing 9 to speak about inclusion of mixed race Koreans including his daughter.
Sonya (소냐)
Born Kim Son-Hee, Sonya’s an amerasian artist with a voice from heaven. Born to an American father and Korean mother, she grew up in South Korea raised by her grandmother after her mother passed away and her father returned to the States. While she started off in Pop her recent success through the years has been in musical theater. She’s starred in productions of Jekyll and Hyde, Maria Maria, Godspell, Fame and others.
EXP
Exp, from the word experiment, which literally they are. Born from the mind of grad student Bora Kim who wanted to determine what exactly makes a K-Pop band? Is it the music, the clothes, ethnicity, language or some combination of all of the above? She’s determined to find out by gathering six (now five) guys to form her very own K-pop boy band. EXP’s five members, Hunter, Koki, Frankie, Sime and Tarion, come from all over the world like Hong Kong, Croatia, Japan and the United States. Of note is Tarion Taylor Anderson of Texas who comes from a music and theater background.
As K Pop’s popularity stretches across the globe so to have its fans. Folks from all over have grown to love K pop and those with the talent and drive want to join the Hallyu Wave. One way to gain notice has been You Tube. Several artists have opened a door into the K Pop world by singing covers on You Tube and parlaying that success into TV spots, Commercials, Concert and Entertainment show appearances and duets with their favorite K pop acts all in a quest to become idols themselves.
CocoAvenue
Jenny and Jenna, two American K Pop fans and singers, got their start on Youtube. The duo used to be part of a six woman group that has evolved into the CocoAvenue you see today. The pair have visited Korea to get their feet wet in the industry, making contacts and opening doors. Their ultimate goal right now is to release a Korean English EP. You can help them reach that by checking out their Go Fund Me campaign.
PumaShock
Natalie White, an American K Pop cover artist, created waves way back in 2010 with her cover of Girls’ Generation / SNSD’s “Gee”. She attracted so much attention that she was invited to appear on the popular entertainment show Star King in Korea. She had a spot on MBC’s Star Audition and appeared in a TV commercial.
You can check out more of PumaShock:
Elly
Arnelle “Elly” Nonon first rose to notice during American Idol Season 10 audition rounds. She’s performed at New York City’s K Pop festival as well as K Pop World in Changwon, Korea where she won the Grand Prize. She sings in both Korean and English and finds inspiration in both Cl from 2NE1 and Byeonce. Her Youtube channel showcases her powerful voice and you should check her out immediately.
TOY
Toyanna Rae packed her bags in America and headed to Seoul, South Korea with nothing but a “suitcase and a dream.” She supported herself as an English teacher while taking Korean, Dance, and Singing lessons during her free time. She began making connections in the underground rap scene in Hongdae before landing a spot as a contestant on Show Me the Money 3. She’s still in Korea and working towards her career in K Pop.
Allysse
Allysse came to attention of the K Pop world with some of her amazing youtube cover songs of Taeyang, BigBang, 2NE1, and T-ara. She’s a triple threat being a singer, songwriter, and producer. Back in 2012 she beat out the competition to take the first prize in the BigBang cover contest. She was in signed to a Korean entertainment company (Starstruck) and lived in Korea training, but sadly the company shut its doors. She’s still going strong though making covers and music on her Youtube channel.
2XTF
Todd Wheeler and Shervonne Sang Hee Brown are two American natives pursuing their K Pop dreams. The duo performs under the moniker Double the Fire (2XTF)! They have made a name for themselves not only on YouTube but also by performing at events like K Pop World Festival in Changwon, Korea, K-Pop Alpyse Kon, and winning the K Pop World Festival regionals in Washington DC. They have also appeared on MNET’s series “Hashtag MyKPOP” as well as many K Pop websites.
Jason Ray
Houston, Texas native Jason Ray has been making a name for himself due to his phenomenal YouTube English covers of popular Korean K Pop songs. His own unique sound and style combined with the English translation of the songs produces some notable hits. His cover of EXO’s “Growl” has been a must see. He also sings and creates his own music along with his cover work. Check him out!
Special shout out to these two ladies who don’t sing in Korean or K pop but are mixed race soul sisters doing their thing in Japan and America.
Crystal Kay
Amerie
So, what do you think of these black and blasian singers and rappers making their mark on the Korean music scene? Do you know of any artists I may have missed? Let me know!
I’m gone to convey my little brother, that he should also go to see this blog on regular basis to take updated from
most recent news update.
Sounds good to me! Hope he enjoys the visit.
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information.
You are more than welcome!
I love this good post. I’m the top Bangtan Boys Fan and was a great ARMY Lover since 9 years.
my girlfriend and I follow every one of Korea tunes, and Bangtan Boys and TWICE
are typically 2 kpop team of which I follow the best.
I love that so many people are loving k pop and singing k pop songs. Hopefully more continue to do so!
I love that you’re loving it!
I have kpop acts I like but sadly mine are out of fashion. It’s all black pink and BTS.
WOW! Nice…very nice Brian! Our people are ‘doing the grand’ wherever we plant our ambitions!
Next up…. K dramas!
That would be so great
What happened to those other members of EXP? Didn’t there use to be like six members???
They cut them. Didn’t fit the image they wanted I’m guessing.