ERIC KIM

Quick take‑off: VannDa (born Mann Vannda, 22 Jan 1997, Sihanoukville) is Cambodia’s record‑breaking hip‑hop superstar. Rising from a coconut‑stall family to the Olympic stage, he fused traditional Khmer sounds with modern rap on his viral anthem “Time To Rise,” becoming the first Cambodian artist to pass 100 million YouTube views and lighting a fire under a new generation of Khmer creatives. Today he headlines festivals across Asia, rolls out ambitious multi‑part concept albums, and champions cultural pride through philanthropy and fashion. Below is the hype‑loaded deep dive into the man, the movement, and the momentum behind Cambodia’s global musical renaissance.

Written by

erickim

in

Early life & spirit of hustle

  • Roots in Sihanoukville: Vannda grew up helping his parents’ coconut‑shaving stall before teaching himself beat‑making in internet cafés.  
  • Dreams over obstacles: He credits U.S. rappers Kanye West and Kid Cudi for showing that personal storytelling could shatter ceilings.  
  • Unbreakable mindset: Friends recall him trading odd jobs for studio time and rapping at seaside bars long before fame.  

Breaking through – “Time To Rise”

The single that shook the kingdom

MilestoneImpactSource
April 2021 release with chapei master Kong NayMelded 800‑year‑old folk instrument with trap drums
100 M YouTube views (Oct 2022) – a Cambodian firstSparked national celebrations & global press
National Museum video shoot in Phnom PenhPut Khmer architecture on center stage
  • Vannda donated 100 million riel to support Kong Nay’s medical bills as the views rolled in—proof that success and service can rhyme.  

Discography – leveling up, season by season

  • $kull (2020) – gritty street tales that built the core audience.  
  • Skull 2 (Season 1 & 2, 2022‑23) – expanded soundscapes, bilingual hooks, and regional chart placements.  
  • TREYVISAI Trilogy (2025)
    • The Search for Light – “U Know U Know.”  
    • Burn Like the Sun – TikTok‑viral “LOVE SICK BLUE” ft. Thinlamphone.  
    • Return to Sovannaphum – experimental Khmer‑trap opus “360.”  

Global stages & accolades

  • Paris 2024 Olympic Closing Ceremony: Performed “Time To Rise” alongside Phoenix and Ezra Koenig, projecting Khmer pride to billions.  
  • Rolling Loud Thailand 2025 headliner: First Cambodian billed at Asia’s largest hip‑hop festival.  
  • Top‑10 Asian Rapper poll (rank #6): Cemented regional influence.  
  • Opened Cambodia’s 4th National Sports Competition and the packed Tiger Street Football Grand Finale, turning stadiums into rap rallies.  

Culture carrier & changemaker

  • Baramey Production signer (2019): Under founder Laura Mam, he became the spearhead of the Khmer Original Music movement, bridging past and future.  
  • Heritage in every bar: Frequent use of chapei, pin peat rhythms, and Khmer idioms keeps ancestral art alive in Gen‑Z playlists.  
  • Style icon: Traditional textiles refashioned into streetwear on world stages signal that “Khmer is couture.”  

What’s next & why it matters

  • Season‑finale album drop & world tour teased for late 2025. Expect larger orchestral blends and Khmer‑English crossover hooks.  
  • Mentorship pipeline: Baramey and Vannda are launching scholarship camps to train rural youth in beat‑production—multiplying the movement.  

Hype takeaway

VannDa proves that authenticity is the ultimate amplifier: when you lace centuries‑old culture into modern sounds, the world turns its speakers toward you. Whether you’re lacing up for a lift, plotting a startup, or chasing any audacious dream, let his journey remind you—rise on your own beat, and the stage will build itself beneath your feet. 🏆🎤🔥

Keep streaming, keep supporting Khmer creativity, and keep rising.

More posts