In 2021 a rap song with a very old instrument in it became one of the biggest hits Cambodia has seen. "Time to Rise", by VannDa featuring the chapei master Kong Nay, put traditional Khmer music on a hip-hop beat and spoke directly to young Cambodians about their heritage. This is the story of the song and of the artist behind it.
A rapper from Sihanoukville
VannDa (Mann Vannda) was born on 22 January 1997 in Sihanoukville. His parents ran a coconut-shaving business at a local market, and he has two older siblings. He wanted to perform from a young age and began rapping after discovering music online. He cites Kanye West and Kid Cudi among his influences. Between 2016 and 2018 he released several independent singles, and in 2019 he joined Baramey Production, a Cambodian talent management and music company founded by the singer-songwriter Laura Mam.
The chapei and why it matters
The chapei is a long-necked, two-stringed lute at the heart of the chapei dang veng tradition, in which a singer plays and sings stories that can be funny, moral or reflective. It is a living tradition that has been recognised internationally as needing protection. Kong Nay is one of its best-known masters, and bringing his voice and instrument into a rap song was a bold choice.
"Time to Rise"
The song was made in 2021 and began as part of a campaign for a mobile network. It blends traditional Khmer instruments and vocals with hip-hop, and its message urges young Cambodians to preserve their cultural heritage while moving it forward. The music video was filmed at the National Museum of Cambodia. It passed one million views within three months, and in October 2022 it reached 100 million views on YouTube, which was reported as a first for a Cambodian artist. Around the same time VannDa started a fundraiser for Kong Nay, whose health had declined.
Albums, collaborations and style
VannDa's albums include $kull (2020) and Skull 2 (Season 1), released from 2021 to 2022. He has worked with other Cambodian artists as well as Thai rappers, and he often switches between Khmer and English in the same song. His music draws on hip-hop, R&B and pop rap, and the music magazine NME has called him one of Cambodia's most exciting contemporary artists. "Time to Rise" was named Best Video of 2021 by LiFTED Asia.
Why it matters for Khmer music
For many young listeners, the song showed that traditional instruments and modern production can sit together without one hiding the other. It also sent listeners back to chapei, a tradition that older generations know well but that younger ones were less likely to hear.
Where to start listening
Search Khmer Beat for VannDa and listen to "Time to Rise" first, then explore his other songs and compare the hip-hop with the traditional styles in our Traditional Khmer collection.
Based on published profiles including Wikipedia and Baramey Production. Some details, such as his early career dates, vary between sources.