When will Asian-American music becom e mainstream?

　　Pop music has certainly evolved in the United State s incorporating various genres and styles, which has en compassed the existing melting pot of cultures. There a re Latin pop influences, African and Middle Eastern rhy thms, and European flavors as well as a heavy dose of g ood old rock and roll. However, what is missing is a de cidedly Asian contribution.

　　For Latin pop, the road to the mainstream has been long and difficult. Tejano music in Texas, influenced b y nearby Mexico as well as the Caribbean styles of Sals a/ Merengue flourished in Latino communities throughout the U.S. However, the U.S. market wasn't interested in these styles of music until Ricky Martin's booty shakin g performance in 1999 at the Grammy Awards. Latin pop t hen emerged with more artists such as Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez with their salsa/merengue infused pop mu sic combined with a healthy dose of sexualized energy.

　　African-Americans have influenced the mainstream fo r many years. There were styles such as jazz and Africa n rhythms, which have evolved into the current styles o f hip/hop and R&B. Groups such as Destiny's Child, Wu-T ang Clan, and Whitney Houston continue to provide music that influences popular culture. African-Americans can identify with the issues of class, racism, and survival that are at the forefront of African-American culture.

　　Of course there is the mainstream White American ta ste as dominated by the teen groups and divas like Brit ney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Faith Hill, and N-Sync, wh ich leads us to the current question for the Asian-Amer ican community. When will Asian-Americans break into ma instream pop?