by Bopha Phorn
04 July 2022

“I think Khmer music is on the right path,” VannDa said. “And for me, I feel that we do not have more time to wait. We must go.”

For as long as he can remember, Vannda Mann has always wanted to sing. Six years ago, he said goodbye to his parents and siblings, hopped in a taxi, and embarked on a journey to become a musician.

VannDa has millions of fans, but he’s not your typical Cambodian celebrity. For one, his face has tattoos, whereas other local acts are clean-cut. Musically, he’s different too. In a country where top hits are covers of Western pop songs, VannDa performs original hip-hop music. But he’s always wanted to be a star, a dream he shares with many his age—at home and around the world—who grew up discovering music online. He looks up to rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi.

VannDa grew up in Sihanoukville, a coastal city in Cambodia with breathtaking scenery of the beach. To VannDa, leaving home to find himself was a journey he had to take.

“My family wants me to become a lawyer or a doctor… but that’s not me. So I came to Phnom Penh to explore my passion, to find my voice. That’s how I became the VannDa I am these days,” the 25-year-old singer said. “They didn’t think I would be here long but I showed them. I did not go back.”

Its music video features VannDa and famous Chapei singer Master Kong Nay in Cambodia’s national museum. Kong Nay, 78, is one of the few great masters to have survived the Khmer Rouge regime and still plays the chapei dang veng, a traditional long-necked fretted plucked lute. The music video has been viewed more than 94 million times on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched Cambodian songs on the platform.

“At first, I thought that I had to sing love songs to get into the music industry, because Cambodians are easily into [these songs]—as long as I hit the right points and reflect their lives and their loves,” he said. “[But] as we mature, we become more open to new ideas.”

“I have to feel whole to work on a project,” he said. “It stresses me out. It makes me remember what I don’t want to remember. For example, even when I have a bad memory I don’t want to remember, I have to retrieve that memory [in order to write a song]. It’s a challenge and it affects me mentally.”

Adding to the pressure is his dream to elevate Cambodian music, to turn it into something that can compete with music around the world.

full. https://www.vice.com/en/article/xgyzp4/ ... -young-man

Ah, didn't heard about him, nice tune, nice clip indeed

Finally, finally, some modern music from a Khmer that's worth listening to.

Fundraiser for Revered Chapei Performer Master Kong Nay
By: Prak Chan Thul
on October 26, 2022
~ 2 min read
‘Rise for Master Kong Nay’ fundraiser aims to raise 100 million riel to fund the famous Master Chapei player’s medical expenses as he battles ill health

A fundraising campaign has launched to raise 100 million riels for famous Chapei performer Master Kong Nay, who is battling old age and poor health.

On Tuesday, talent management company Baramey Production said on its Facebook page that Nay has struggled with long-term illness and, although his health has shown signs of improvement, he is still not strong enough to travel and perform.

Nay, who is in his late-70s, featured in the viral video ‘Time to Rise’ with rapping sensation VannDa. This week, the video made the record books when it hit 100 million views, becoming the first Cambodian music video to reach such a high audience on online music platform YouTube.

“In return for Kong Nay, we have launched a 100 million Riel “Rise for Master Kong Nay” campaign to raise funds to alleviate Kong Nay's medical expenses and daily living expenses,” Baramey said. It added that the campaign will run until November 25.

Contacted by telephone on Wednesday, Nay briefly said his health has not improved. “I am still the same, not better,” he told Kiripost.

Commenting on the 100 million view milestone, VannDa said on a Facebook post on Tuesday, “Time to Rise is like a mirror that reflects the conservation and development of the national heritage, and can make many people in and around the world know about Khmer art with respect.”
https://kiripost.com/stories/fundraiser ... r-kong-nay

Was in a lift with VannDa at Aeon, before he was really popular. He, his driver and me got off on the same floor for the carpark. Walked around for a bit and I realised my car was not on that floor. Got back into the lift and VannDa and his driver also got in. I looked at the driver and said "Lan now chean tibei?" (or whatever it was) and they both laughed. We all laughed.

I only knew who he was because sister-in-law saw him get into the lift with me (I went to the car to get some baby milk) and she was wetting herself. Was like a school kid for about two days. Silly cow.

Also, he does not say "Time to rise" but "Time to rye", which is a bit irritating. Oh and he is a tiny teeny weeny man.

Hommage to the Master of Chapey Dang Veng, KONG NAI

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): Due to illness and old age, the living legend, elder Kong Nai, is finding it difficult to keep singing and performing with Chapey Dang Veng as he would like to do.
In order to facilitate his living conditions, and to help raise money to treat the disease and pay for his medical expenses, a fundraising campaign has raised 100 million Riels for Kong Nai.

The source added that the campaign was held in return for the gratitude of Elder Kong Nai for his contribution to the preservation of the art form Chapey Dang Veng, especially his performance in the song "Time to Rise" with singer Vanda, which can attracted 100 million hits on YouTube. Donors can donate generously through: ABA: 000 558 440 (KONGSAMAY).
Barmey Production hopes that many people will continue to participate in this meaningful fundraiser, and I would like to wish you Grandpa a healthy, long life, please take care of the long chapei art form and your rumbling voice for the next generation, so they will also know your work.



It should be noted that Kong Nai is the best-known veteran chapei artist after Prach Chhuon (who has now passed on.)
Kong Nai was born on March 15, 1944, in Doung village, Svay Tong Khang Cheung commune, Kampong Trach district, Kampot province. In 1991, he won the first prize in the long chapei song in the whole country in Phnom Penh and became a Chapey Dang Veng artist at the Department of Performing Arts of the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts until his retirement in 2007.

-From 2003, Kong Nai was the artistic elder of Khmer Living Organization, training students for many generations until old age and retirement. In his career as a chapei dong veng artist, Kong Nai has won many awards and medals, including:
- In 1982 First prize in the provincial chapei song category,
- In 1991, the first prize in the long chapei song category in the whole country.
-In 2001 Senior Certificate of Khmer Culture and Arts by the Royal Academy of Cambodia and Monisaraphon Medal from the Government,
-In 2001 Honorary Certificate Hero artist from the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, in 2007 received a medal from the government and -In 2012 was awarded the national title known as Kong Nai by the King by Royal Decree
- And in 2017, he received the Fukuoka Cultural Arts Award from Japan.

Although he is now an old man, he is still active in arts and festivals throughout Cambodia to promote Khmer art.