Cambodia & Music: RuthKo, a multi-talented Franco-Khmer artist

Originally from Battambang, young French-Cambodian rapper RuthKo joined in 2018 the renowned KlapYaHandz music label founded by SOK Visal.

RuthKo, Artist on the KlapYaHandz label founded by SOK Visal

RuthKo's ability to fuse rap with the musical heritage of the Golden Age in his songs has enabled him to create his own artistic identity. He talks about his journey from Cambodia to France, his choice to become an artist and his career plans.

Interview

For those who don't know you, could you introduce yourself and tell us about the path that led you to KlapYaHandz?

RuthKo: My name is RuthKo, I'm 24 and I'm originally from Battambang and I moved to Phnom Penh in 2012. After that, I went to high school in France for two years and during my studies, I created short comic skits and freestyle videos that were noticed by Bong SOK Visal.

So he contacted me and I headed back to Cambodia to meet him and officially sign with the label in 2018.

How did music come into your life?

RuthKo: I've always produced music and I've also explored the field of dance. Deep down, I always wanted to be an artist.

I've been influenced by a lot of musical genres, but I was especially inspired by my mother, who was a talented singer.

Then I became interested in rap and hip-hop when I left Cambodia to study in France. It was a pretty tough time for me at the time and I found a lot of comfort in these musical genres, which helped me to de-stress. Even if I didn't necessarily understand the lyrics, it resonated with me and persuaded me to become an artist, and a rapper in particular.

In fact, if I had to name the French rappers who inspired me, I'd say Booba, Ninho, PNL and Nekfeu. As for Khmer artists, I'm very fond of the Cambodian legends of the 60s like Sinn Sisamouth, Keo Sarath and, more recently, Khemarak Sereymum, Chhay Virakyuth and Preap Sovath. As far as Cambodian rappers are concerned, on the whole, they've all influenced me and it's thanks to all that that I've been able to create my identity and the artist I am today.

Right now, I'd say my style is a mixture of many influences. I mainly do melodic rap and hip-hop. But sometimes, depending on my inspiration and my projects, I sing more.

Has your style evolved over the years?

RuthKo: Yes, of course. My first song was a very old school style with no melody, just rapping. But now I've moved on to a new level where I'm soaking up a lot of different horizons and mixing different styles and musical inspirations in my songs.

How does your Khmer cultural heritage inspire you in your artistic endeavours?

RuthKo: Cambodian culture obviously inspires me, especially Khmer poetry, which is unique. There are no rhymes at the end like there might be in French or English, everything is built in the centre and between the verses. Khmer instruments also inspire me a lot, especially the Champei (ចាប៉ី).

What is your musical production process? Where does your inspiration come from?

RuthKo: It all depends. Sometimes I have the idea, but I don't yet have the ‘beat’, i.e. the rhythmic structure that will make up the song. On the other hand, sometimes I have this instrumental base first, even before the lyrics and the style of the music in general.

But what I am certain of is that I draw my inspiration from my emotions and my moods. If I'm sad, I can't write happy songs, for example, and vice versa.

You worked with Vuthea, another KlapYaHandz artist, on the ‘West Side’ video. How did the idea of working together on this project come about?

RuthKo: It was our very first collaboration and that means a lot, because Vuthea and I both come from the ‘West Side’, the Cambodian province. He's from Banteay Mean Chey province and I'm from Battambang province. We really wanted to bring people together around this song.

To be honest, I have really good memories of the whole process, we toured MondolKiri province and it was really great. There was a real family atmosphere between us.

RuthKo during the making of the video clip “West Side” with a rooster, symbol of the bridge between the modern culture of urban youth and the respect for the land of the elders

For my part, it still took me a long time to find the lyrics that corresponded to what I wanted to convey to the audience. So I changed them several times, and after many attempts, I found the final version I wanted.

You'll soon be taking part as a coach in the TV show Rapper Fighter. What does this new experience mean for you as an artist?

RuthKo: I'm very happy to be part of this competition because I can help further develop the Cambodian urban music scene and bring new artists to the fore.

I already took part in another show of this kind last year, ‘The Rapper Cambodia’. So this is my second experience as a coach and I'm very grateful to be doing it again this year.

I'm looking forward to meeting new talent with their own style, but above all to discovering Khmer artists. Cambodia is a country that shines through its culture and it needs to show the world what it has that is unique in the arts industry.

Today's music is what I've always dreamed of and I'm happy and proud of it. Now we have to do more for our country every day.

You've already been to France to perform, what did you think of your audience there?

RuthKo: I was lucky enough to perform once in France at the second KlapYaHandz Tour in Paris with Sabay Events in 2022 alongside Vuthea.

The audience in France meant so much to me, they made me proud on stage. I'm really looking forward to performing there again and doing more international shows.

I feel great when I'm travelling, performing abroad and meeting my audience. I've got my next gig in Bali in September at the AXEAN Festival and I'm more than ready.

What's next for you? What can we wish you?

RuthKo: Quite simply, more music.

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For more information on KlapYaHandz events and projects:

https://www.youtube.com/c/klapyahandz

-Instagram RuthKo : https://www.instagram.com/ruth.ko_official/?hl=fr

-Facebook RuthKo : https://www.facebook.com/RuthkoMusic/

-Youtube RuthKo : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIfBEK1UAzh1HUkvDFe5Dd_W9fs7vdUEJ