Cambodian rapper Vann Da sings ‘Time to Rise’ at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics Closing Ceremony in Paris on August 11, 2024. - ASEAN Society & Culture via Khmer Times
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Cambodia’s top rapper, Vann Da, took to the global stage at the Closing Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Sunday night, performing his hit song “Time to Rise”.
On Tuesday (Aug 13), Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has congratulated and thanked the rapper for helping to raise the image of Cambodia on the international stage, following his performance at the closing ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
The rapper, popular among people of all ages thanks to his innovative inclusion of traditional identity with the art of hip hop, captivated the audience, marking a significant milestone in Cambodian music on the world stage in Paris.
The electrifying performance, which was watched by millions around the world, ignited a wave of excitement and pride among Cambodians. Social media platforms were abuzz with praises for Vann Da, with many expressing their joy at seeing a Cambodian star represented at such a prestigious event.
Vann Da’s appearance at this world-class event is not only a personal achievement but also a testament to the rising prominence of Cambodian artists in the international music scene.
The achievement was first congratulated by the French Embassy in Cambodia, which highlighted Vann Da’s performance as a historic moment for Cambodia, despite the Kingdom not winning an Olympic medal.
“While waiting for Cambodia to one day win its first Olympic medal, the name of Vann Da would remain engraved in the Olympic history of the Kingdom!” translates a message originally posted on the French Embassy’s social media.
Vann Da, born in 1997, gained widespread recognition in October 2022 with his hit song “Time to Rise”, which features the traditional chapei artist Master Kong Nay. The music video has garnered over 115 million views on YouTube, making it the only video by a Cambodian artist to achieve this milestone.
The song encourages Cambodian youth to preserve and promote traditional cultural values in the modern era. - Khmer Times
