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Various | Original Khmer Hiphop

Various (produced by Sok ‘Cream’ Visal)
Original Khmer Hiphop
Klap Ya Handz
 

Since its conception, forged like a phoenix from the ashes of NYC’s scorched Bronx in the seventies, hiphop has stretched its prickly little digits to almost every heavily populated area around the globe. Where there are many people, there is wealth, leading ultimately to awesome water slides, and poverty. Thanks to the wonder that is globalisation, hiphop is becoming the voice of numerous impoverished areas the world over. Thanks also to the selfless efforts of Sok ‘Cream’ Visal, Cambodia’s youth now has a megaphone to promote that voice. “LAAAAAAAAA”

Besides the behemoth that is American hiphop, most scenes suffer from only local appreciation. America won’t have a bar of British hip hop, the Brits won’t listen to French musings and as hard as JC/DC tries, you just can’t get Aussie and NZ artists to appreciate each other. So, how does that fair for Cambodian artists? Well, let’s say we’re not ordering the sequins just yet.

Compared to more mature manufactured hiphop, this release does have a certain charm. Like the cute little brother of the hottest girl in school you have to be nice to, and all her friends can’t help but squeeze his cheeks. It certainly isn’t overproduced which can be very endearing, on the other hand however, some tracks do sound like factory samples on a Casio keyboard. The most troubling factor is that despite the lack of monetary input, they have managed to fork out for a vocoder. Why God, why?

The merits of this release really lie in its very existence. A country that was culturally raped for decades finally has citizens willing to prompt an artistic revival. Despite the horrors Cambodia has negotiated, this album sounds relentlessly upbeat, at times poppy, and anything but dark and mournful which it has every right to be. Many of the vocal rhythms and hooks seem smooth and catchy, itching to instil a sense of youthful exuberance that Cambodian kids deserve. If the enthusiasm of the rappers continues and is coupled with a bit more production experience (particularly in continuing to utilize traditional instruments), there should be no reason Cambodian hiphop can’t extend itself both locally and on the international scene.

Come on party people Klap Ya Handz!
 

By O.C.Philpott