Hip-hop is life: The Vietnamese rappers pushing cultural boundaries

Hip-hop is life: The Vietnamese rappers pushing cultural boundaries

Young artists in Ho Chi Minh City are venting their raw emotions and showing off their raw talent on the mic.

This is Kaza, a 22-year-old Saigon rapper who is part of the Infamous crew.

“I started rapping at school. I was angry," he tells me.

Like many artists in Vietnam, Kaza doesn't always have the artistic freedom he wants. But as his rhyme hints, he does take his frustration to the mic. “I want to talk about how unfair life here is for some people. About how they don’t get listened to.”

Emcee K, another well-known Saigon rapper, echoes Kaza’s sentiments. On his upcoming debut album with an explicit title, "Love Sh*t", K says he wanted to talk about “the streets".

“I wanted to say that life ain't about love all the time. Like when homies lie and backstab each other to get through the day. Injustice in society when the killer doesn't go to jail and the civilian who tries to protect their rights gets put in jail.”

LC King is another hot young talent. Like many Saigon rap stars he started as a break-dancer, or a b-boy, back in 2007, and has evolved into a rapper and producer, recently joining a new crew in Saigon, Pretty OG.

“Hip-hop saved my life,” says King. “I write every day in the morning before I go to work and I’m always thinking of new rhymes. It helps me talk about things and connect with my friends.”

Kaza, K and King are all regulars at the freestyle hip-hop night I walked in on: "Saigon Cypher," founded and organized by British DJ Steve Hill and German graffiti artist Luki. The pair started Saigon Cypher just 18 months ago, but it’s now one of the most popular hip-hop events in Ho Chi Minh City.

"We work hard to get young kids to come and rap. Some of them have never rapped outside their bedrooms before. It's cool to see," Steve says.