Among the many culture-crossing, psychedelic pop songs in Raveena’s exclusive playlist for AAPI Heritage Month is “Str8 Outta Mumbai”, a swirl of 808s, Hindu prayers and scratchy samples from Gulzar’s 1979 film Meera. “I felt so incredibly seen and at home the first time I heard this record,” the Indian American singer-songwriter tells Apple Music. “The Bollywood drums so seamlessly infused with R&B melodies had a huge influence over the upbeat side of [her 2022 album] Asha’s Awakening, and helped me, and I think most of us in the diaspora, reimagine ‘east-meets-west’ music in a completely different way.” Elsewhere, she shines a light on Nazia Hassan’s 1981 track “Disco Deewane”, which blends shimmering ’70s synthesisers with Pakistani pop, and Asha Puthli’s heady, experimental jazz joyride “Space Talk”, released in 1976. “Asha was so beyond her time and influenced my entire artistry,” Raveena says. “I am still in awe that we got to feature her on 'Asha’s Kiss'. Her sumptuous and dreamy vocals and themes of space and eternal love are an influence all over my work.”