In Search of Khmer Hip Hop Part 1
Apr 22nd, 2006 by Jinja
In Search of Khmer Hip Hop Part 1
Geoff and I hit the opening of club ‘R&B’ a few weeks back.
(#56 Street 360 Boeng Keng Kang 111, Chamkamon, Phnom Penh Cambodia)
There was a free feed, and more importantly some enthusiastic breakdancing by a crowd of returnee Khmers. Geoff was full of anecdotes about the Turkish hip hop scene, which apparently is also really taking off.
We’d just spent most of our pocket money on a new phone (long story) so we spent our time nursing our $2 beers and attempting to get some shots of the breakin’ . Alas my digital camera’s flash was lame. (when in doubt, go analog! I should have gotten a disposable camera.) Above is a shot of a dance crew doing their thing on the stage, part of the opening festivities.
Really intriguing to see how hip hop is globalizing but would suggest some cheaper prices if they want to get a crowd that really appreciates hip hop. I think cultivating the returnee community is key, they have the potential to be a valuable social bridge between two cultures.
More pix:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinja_cambodia/125595707/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jinja_cambodia/125595435/
Related links:
Returnee Integration Support Program
http://rispcambodia.org
Tiny Toones (‘Break Dancers of the Bassac’) have a web site!
http://www.tinytoonescambodia.com/
Tags: Cambodia,hiphop
