In Luffy Huang’s Vision for Pulse Events, Cultures Align Through EDM Music
Stories
September 22, 2024
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CEO of Pulse Events Luffy Huang made waves across New York City this past Labor Day weekend. Known as “the world’s wettest party,” the S2O event made a splash in the Brooklyn neighborhood, delivering euphoric EDM melodies with Thai-inspired traditions that stretch across borders to America.
But as the CEO of Pulse Events, his vision yearns for unity and togetherness through the power of music. Throughout the years, Luffy has been a driving force behind the diversification of the EDM festival scene, condensing the beats into a spectacular celebration of culture and community.
The Sounds of Luffy Huang’s Chinese Upbringing and American Dream
Growing up in China, his early passion for music led him to a career as a singer and TV host between 15 to 20 years ago. Encouraged by the eclectic soundscape in the U.S., his American dream for a successful music career was granted by one of the artists he was touring along with, paving the way for his move to the States.
“I grew up in China and following my passion for music, I became a singer and TV host 15 to 20 years ago. Since it was always my dream to break into the music industry in the U.S., I began touring with artists and finally came to America with one of them in 2020.”
When he arrived in the U.S., Luffy was bewildered yet determined. The hustle in a foreign land might have caught him off guard for a moment but it also helped him head towards a new direction. “I found the industry here to be very open-minded and felt inspired and encouraged to start my own entertainment company here,” he says.
Luffy left China for the U.S., driven by the fast-paced music scene.
This geographic shift is a tableau of music inspirations, cultural shock and a deepening sense of identity, all of which prompted him to create Pulse Events, an event agency focused on bridging the Eastern and Western cultures through music and community.
Cultural Harmony Through Music and Luffy Huang’s Pulse Events Journey
“What inspired me the most was seeing people of different cultures embrace shows produced in Asia and influenced by Eastern traditions,” he says.
Such ethos were themselves echoed throughout his work, by introducing a global audience to the purpose he wanted to share more of, from highlighting notable Asian creatives and talents, to celebrating the vibrant culture of the Asian community. “I realized that this experience was missing in the U.S. and it became my mission to produce shows here that expose fans to the traditions and dance community culture in Asia,” he says. “I am proud that my shows include elements like Asian night markets, lion dances and spraying water that is the Songkran Thai New Year custom.”
One of the drawbacks of starting Pulse Events in a new country, however, is the balance and harmony among different communities, especially in the U.S. where multiculturalism has long been its celebrated trademark. Yet, despite this animated diversity, Luffy needs to traverse the tricky waters of inclusivity, representation and U.S. culture:
“Turning my vision into a reality took a bit of time. But once we put on our first Pulse Events show, we learned from the process and got into a good rhythm where we put on multiple shows annually and continued to expand. One of thechallenges I face on a daily basis is figuring out how to represent Asian culture in the most authentic way possible, while having our shows appeal to a diverse audience. Striking that balance takes a lot of thought and hard work, finding the right partners to bring that to life. Another challenge I face is that English is my second language, so I sometimes have to take the extra step of using translation tools or making a greater effort to make sure my ideas are communicated correctly.”
Luffy Huang leads Pulse Events with determination, expanding the reach of Asian culture through unforgettable shows
While those challenges might have vexed him in the beginning, every show, event and festival was an emblem of the connectivity that he always has in mind for Pulse Events. The 2023 Spring Festival that Pulse Events had orchestrated last year was an EDM-heavy event to honor Lunar New Year and pull together traditional elements, joyful moments and different communities. It was the first event to infuse electronic music and Asian culture that introduced the beauty of this cultural festival to more American youths:
“I am proud of every show Pulse Events has put on and the legacy we are slowly building by making them annual. We are gearing up for our second Winter Festival in November and our third Spring Festival next year, and planning to bring back S2O after debuting it to the U.S. this past Labor Day weekend. I feel fortunate that we have established a good working relationship with one of the most famous venues in New York City and the world, The Brooklyn Mirage. I am also proud to be the founder of the Krazy Super Concert elevating K-pop in America.”
When East Meets West in Luffy Huang’s Vision for Pulse Events
As an organization that holds the same values as AHN to uplift and highlight the Asian community, AHN takes this interview as a special opportunity to explore how Asian talents are being showcased and represented in the industry. Luffy’s vision remains unchanged:
“Themission and vision of Pulse Events is to bridge the East and the West through music events that unite people of all backgrounds and educate them. Through bringing fans of all kinds together through the common love of music, we are able to open their minds and hearts to understanding Asian culture and embracing the immense talent within our community, from music producers and DJs to entrepreneurs like myself and my colleagues.”
This determination and commitment has led Luffy on a road of success, producing annual mega shows like the Lunar New Year Spring Festival, the Winter Festival and most recently S2O New York, all to celebrate cultures and unite communities through EDM. Even just at the start, Pulse Events has landed performance deals with many prominent artists in the electronic music scene, from the enigmatic Marshmello to platinum record-selling DJ Afrojack.
Luffy’s goal is clear: bridge the East and West through music, uniting fans from all backgrounds while showcasing Asian talents.
Connect With Luffy Huang
Much of Luffy’s current success comes less from pure luck and more from a consistent performance of hard work and innovation. Whether it be electric live festivals, or getting deep down into his heritage, Luffy knows better than ever that Pulse Events was a child of hustle and resilience, no matter where you came from and who you are:
“From my own journey,I believe that if you hustle hard enough and never give up on your dreams, you will succeed, even in a foreign country or place outside of your comfort zone.”
The ability to cook does not, however, automatically translate into the capacity to manage a restaurant. The food industry is a fiercely competitive one.
Fortunately for Vietnamese chef Nikki Tran, he succeeded as an “accidental chef” despite his previous failures in the restaurant industry. But what exactly is the secret to his success?
Nikki launched his first restaurant in Vietnam but was doomed to flop from the beginning because of its quick decline. It started on a drunken night when he drafted his first business plan. He had put down a deposit on a new location that same night, hired a chef, and opened a new restaurant within a week.
The only problem was that the chef didn’t show up which caused trouble on the first day it was open. The restaurant also struggled to bring in customers despite the backing of Nikki’s famous actress friend, which resulted in a steady loss of revenue.
Nikki recognized his missteps and realized he was not as well prepared as he thought. Consequently, he worked to improve and reinvent his culinary skills. It did not end up being a challenge for him; instead, he worked toward opening a second restaurant in Houston, Texas, when he returned to the United States.
At that time, he got hooked on crawfish and began eating them frequently. He took it to Vietnam and experimented with it using a typical technique of its culture. His family, friends, and the first people in Vietnam are thrilled to try it out, and they’ve called it “Viet-Texan cuisine.”
This innovation, which was his take on the now-classic Viet-Cajun crawfish boil made using Vietnamese river prawns, became the one that accidentally brought and pushed him into the international limelight.
Soon, he was profiled by media outlets such as Vice, NBC’s Travel Voyager, Houston Eater, and Netflix. He did not let his first failure or lack of experience prevent him from pursuing his dreams and developing relationships until he became a Netflix star. He is also a familiar face in David Chang’s Ugly Delicious, Phil Rosenthal’s Somebody Feed Phil, and the critically acclaimed Street Food: Asia.
Today, Nikki operates three locations of his restaurant, known as “Ku Ba Quán.” And even though he is known for breaking the rules of traditional Vietnamese cuisine and blending in international influences whenever he feels it is appropriate, he has the impression that he has always gone his own way.
Wu Yibing became the first male tennis player from China in 63 years to win a Grand Slam tennis match with a victory in this year’s US Open beating Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3 6-4 6-0 in the first round.
The 22-year-old didn’t compete from March 2019 to January 2022 owing to elbow, back, shoulder, and wrist injuries, with elbow surgery being the most significant. But Wu didn’t want to use his injuries as an excuse.
“I don’t really like to talk about those injuries in too (much) detail because every player has injuries,” Wu had told the ATP website, “The mental strength that you have to go through the pain is part of the game,” he added.
Wu’s compatriot Zhang Zhizhen nearly joined him in the second round, but Tim van Rijthoven saved seven match points in the third set to win 3-6 6-7(4) 7-6(9) 6-1 6-4.
But Wu hopes they can both raise China’s flag, “We are both pushing Chinese men’s tennis levels and we’re still young… I think we’re going to get to the Top 100,”
As of this writing, Wu is ranked 173rd in the world for men’s singles. However, he hopes to move up the ranks when the 2022 U.S.
In just two months, these two siblings launched a pest control business that now serves a wide area around Quezon Province and nearby cities in the Philippines. They are like any other young adult with unfortunate life prospects, but they’ve persevered because they know there must be a better way.
Pesconex Pest Control Services is owned jointly by its co-founders, Clark Dennies and Clarissa Joyce Demejes. They started their team with their cousin, who has grown to include four more members.
What began as a training ground provided by their uncle is now a well-recognized business offering services with a quick phone call around Quezon Province and even reached the island of Palawan.
Their uncle quickly loaned them money to help them start their own business. The effective pest control technique they use is a standardized process and is a convenient way to get rid of pests. They also made sure it is safe and environmentally friendly.
Within the first month, they serviced only a handful of clients, including a few homes, small sari-sari stores, and some bakeries — their parents even drove them to their clients. Nowadays, certain large companies and grocery stores are among the few that hire the team.
Their success and customer acquisition began when Clarisse posted a TikTok video demonstrating the service they are providing. Many netizens have praised what the two have been doing, and some are so impressed that they would like to utilize their services.
In just two short months, the siblings have established themselves financially and have also acquired their company car with their first significant earnings successfully.
Instead of focusing on the possibility that the endeavor will be unsuccessful, Clarissa encourages taking the risk. “Manifest that your business will be successful, do your best to succeed.” — she added.
When looking at an Asian-American woman, certain implicit biases exist. They are often judged as being too meek, timid, or passive to achieve their goals. They may be held back by such an evaluation, preventing them from realizing their full potential.
It was difficult for Asian-American lawyer Debra Wong Yang to speak up throughout her early career. In the long run, she realized that her inability to stand up for herself did not only hurt her but also her clients.
“Eventually, we all find a voice — my advice is to just make sure the one you ultimately adopt is actually yours,” she advised in her essay published by Law360.
Yang graduated from law school in 1985 when women were still relatively powerless in the legal field. Since she was still working toward the goal of following the path she had chosen, she has faced many challenges along her journey. She has witnessed it all, from the very traditional Chinese upbringing she received to the various sacrifices, frustrations, and challenges she must face on a day-to-day basis in her chosen field.
After years of practicing law and facing challenges in the courtroom, she came to a number of important realizations that helped her become a successful attorney. She remembered when she thought up some strategies that she hoped would assist her in communicating effectively with others.
Yang also tried to conquer her fear, and her motivation helped her cope with the situation and make further progress. With a lot of the many books she has read on leadership, she knows she has finally found her own approach to developing herself.
She aspires on detailing how she was preparing for her court session with an outline of her questions and concerns, and other litigants will be able to better manage their time with counsel. She realized she was getting better at defending her clients in court because she was able to keep her attention solely on the issues and evidence in her case.
When she was currently going through a period of learning and challenges, she learned that holding a position of authority does not guarantee respect from subordinates. She came to understand that one of the responsibilities of a leader is to address concerns raised by those who doubt one’s abilities.
In her courtroom sessions, Yang strongly suggests analyzing the situation first and looking for authentic solutions carefully. She strongly believed that the solutions to some problems sometimes are not immediately obvious and have never been tried before, or that it’s extremely straightforward. However, she is challenged to keep turning the issue over and over in her mind until she begins to see it from a new perspective.
Yang also stressed the importance of having mentors to turn to for advice and insight. She was assertive in her belief that one should be guided by the process of sitting down, thinking it through, and acting in a way that is most beneficial to them. She went on to say that if the message comes from within, the receiver will perceive it as more genuine and at ease.
In 2002, She was appointed by President George W. Bush as United States Attorney and became a former judge serving the Los Angeles County Superior Court. The fact that her success can be attributed to her strong leadership and the bravery that she possesses as an individual is a reason why she wields her power.
Not only does Yang share her own experiences, but she also provides valuable advice that other women can use to advance their careers. She stated, “My wish for each of you is that you will be brave when facing self-doubts, challenges, and obstacles. That you will dig deep, reach out if needed, do the research, make the tough decision and not be afraid of losing.”
The fact that Yang, an Asian American woman-in-law, was able to take control of her power demonstrates that one’s race should not determine the opportunities available to them or the path they choose to take in their professional advancement. However, by maintaining a positive attitude and giving oneself the power to make decisions, one will be able to live up to the standards and goals that have been established to assist in one’s own success.
