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.”
You still have the right to hope for the best and move forward even if you face adversity just as you reach the pinnacle of your accomplishments. This 23-year-old entrepreneur is proof that hard work and determination can pay off.
Derek Cheung is a former college student who got into rental arbitrage. He was an intern when he discovered the company that operates short-term rentals for properties it doesn’t own.
In 2018, he began engaging in rent arbitrage by acquiring his first two apartments. Derek’s first steps weren’t smooth sailing. He did a lot and did extensive research to ensure he was following a solid business plan.
Derek learned the legal paperwork and communication skills involved in real estate and rent arbitrage transactions, especially since many landlords have specific preferences for working with such parties — he even went through around a hundred landlord leads.
He also made sure he knew how to service the property, maintain fixtures, decorate it, and approach landlords in negotiations. Since his first deal was with an agent who represents multiple landlords, his career took off from there.
Derek’s first annual leases were signed in February 2019. One-bedroom flats cost $1,215 per month while studios cost $999. He put down a $500 security deposit on each flat, plus the first month’s rent. Short-term rentals were permitted under the terms of his additional contract.
As a result of working part-time while in school, Derek was able to save $8,000. He also had a $5,000 credit card limit, which was sufficient at the time. He spent $5,000 on secondhand items from Facebook Marketplace. He rented U-Haul to move things and asked two friends to help. After he had set them up, he took photos of the units and posted them on Airbnb.
He kept moving forward with the strategy, and soon he was managing and cleaning six apartment blocks. He had reached a terrifying $10,000 in liability and rent expenses, but he was convinced that he had to risk money in order to make a lot.
Unfortunately, the pandemic hampered travel and bookings. At that time, he owed $20,000 in monthly expenses. He began calling builders, corporate movers, and insurance housing agencies weekly to offer his units, and advertised on Zillow, Corporate Housing by Owner, Furnished Finder, and Craigslist. His top priority was serving customers who had booked 60 days in advance.
When the pandemic subsided, he created a new plan to make up for his losses. Derek lowered his prices just enough to break even or make a small profit. He was also keen on securing long-term visitors and started taking reservations from people in the area who were in between leases, evicted from their homes, or were staying in hotels because their insurance wouldn’t cover them.
Derek had 50 properties by the end of 2021, with 44 of them being fully functional. His revenue increased by about 22% this year.
“People might tell you that you’re the odd one out. Remember you’re not, you too are the mainstream. The world might try to make differences a pejorative thing, but I’ve carved out a whole career by celebrating it,” says the 62-year-old film director, Gurinder Chadha, in her recent candid interview with The Guardian.
Gurinder Chadha was born in Kenya, then a British colony. Her family was part of the Indian diaspora in East Africa. They moved to London when she was two and rented a single bedroom. She recounts being shoved into a metal bed frame by their landlord’s son. Her mother was devastated but couldn’t comfort her. “I still remember the indignity and injustice,” she adds.
For a while, she even refused to eat Indian food and had her chapatis with jam and butter. At age 10, she ran away from home and considered it an “escape” to be more British.
Gurinder considers the 2002 box-office hit ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ she directed a watershed moment. She tells The Guardian that until then, the perception was that Indian girls in the UK were obeying and submissive to strict families, but that wasn’t their experience.
“As an immigrant kid, you realise early on you and your parents live different realities,” she adds, “You can fight and rebel, or accept your parents for who they are, work around them, and get on with it. That’s what we did.”
It took three years to get the sports comedy-drama film green-lit. Everyone told her an Indian girl playing football wouldn’t attract the audience. However, it’s the only film to be released in every country since it debuted 20 years ago. “For people on the margins all over, it was transformative”
Unfortunately, her father died suddenly in 1999, and he never got to see Gurinder’s biggest achievements. This made her unappreciated her success for a long time as her father wasn’t there to share it with. It changed when she became a mother of twins in her late 40s, “Having my children celebrate my work has seen something shift within me. Finally, I’ve started to let myself believe it”
With zero funding, Filipino entrepreneur MJ Loleng built her start-up company, Ecobriqs Charcoal Briquettes, an innovative eco-friendly charcoal business from waste coconut shells.
She was able to attract investors with her idea who also had a passion for sustainability and providing employment to those who are poor in the Philippines, as she said that she experienced being poor herself. MJ wants to show that poverty is no reason to give up on ambitions.
MJ wrote on her Facebook, “For the past 4yrs I was just crystal focus on surviving and making things happen. I know I’ve always wanted to help, and I know that I can do it by building a business.”
When “Samgyeopsal” or Korean BBQ restaurants became popular in the Philippines, Ecobriqs experienced a surge in popularity. Briquettes were the ideal kind of coal to use since they did not produce smoke or odor and could be used more than once.
The pandemic drove several eateries to close, putting Ecobriq into a major setback for half a year, but MJ thought of another idea. She collaborated with her friends and opened their own Korean BBQ restaurant, Umma’s Samgyup Café, with a starting capital of P5,000 ($90).
As a result of MJ’s expanding business portfolio, she is now able to bring in more than P100,000 ($2000) per month, and learned stock trading in order to increase her income.
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is to be persistent in achieving their goals, “I also didn’t know how we got this far. I just keep the faith, believe in my team, took the risk, give it ALL IN, and did my best”
Who would have thought that the odd jobs of a janitor and a street vendor would lead to such a great story? This is what actually transpired to John Andrew Dangca, the owner of a Filipino restaurant in Canberra, Australia.
Before establishing his popular restaurant among Filipinos, he worked as a street vendor and janitor. Despite his difficult beginning, he was determined to succeed. He saved money and eventually opened his own restaurant. His business success has allowed him to provide for his family.
Salu-Salo Restaurant, which has been serving Filipino cuisine in Canberra, Australia was also impacted by the pandemic. Fortunately, he was able to adapt by pivoting to a delivery and take-out model.
He says that they’ve been able to weather the challenge because of the support of their customers. Andrew admitted that he reaches out to his customers to order some food, and if they do, he personally travels to them, regardless of the distance.
His journey to Australia began when he was young and open to the idea of studying or working abroad. His aunt sponsored his trip to Australia in 2013, where he enrolled in college and began training as a cleaner. It was never easy for him to juggle a job and schoolwork, but he did it because he wanted to provide for his family.
Andrew’s story demonstrates that it is possible to achieve success despite challenging circumstances if one is willing to work hard and never give up. “I put in a lot of effort and always try to do my best in order to be where I am now,” he stated on a Philippine TV show.
He proved that beginning in a low position, such as working as a janitor or street vendor, is not an obstacle to future success. Rather, this will serve as the fuel that propels you forward toward achieving your goals.
