Drop Beats Not Bombs
Dec 24th, 2007 by Jinja
What's that going on in the park opposite Wat Botum?
Hey, it's a guy making funny noises - with his mouth! It's a hip hop band, sponsored by your pals at the USA State Department! http://www.alternet.org/story/71401/
Live instruments? Check.
Beatboxing? Check.
Breakdancing? Check.
The Dana Leong Band had previously played to an audience of 3000 in Battambang as a part of their 'Rhythm Road' tour. The Phnom Penh show attracted no more than 200 or 300 at most.
Wonder why the Embassy went for the low key approach in PP? Publicity was minimal. I couldn't spot any local hip hop musicians coming by to check them out - though it was cool to see Tiny Toones were a key part of the show. As a part of the "American Music Abroad" program they've made an effort to check in with local artists while touring Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.
I've gotten used to seeing the French Embassy take the lead in doing cultural outreach projects - like Lire en Fete and their yearly Fete de la Musique.
It's good to see the States give it a go; money spent on beatboxing is a far better investment than armaments any day of the week. There were no complaints from the audience, many of whom I'll bet were seeing a new variety of hip hop for the first time.
Viva cultural exchange; next stop Iraq? Let's not forget, all it took was a ping-pong tournament to thaw China's icy exterior. More music and acrobatics [here], [here], and [here].
Tags: cambodia,HipHop,beatboxing, 
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