Korea 's famous Break-Boys, or B-Boys, will take to the stage in Vientiane for two performances in June.

Two break-dancing teams and a beatbox expert will perform “Flying Higher”, at the National Culture Hall on June 4 and 5 from 7.30pm.

The performances will feature 22 dancers from Korea 's Gambler Crew and Animation Crew, in addition to the music of Beatbox Eunjun, who is credited with establishing the beatbox genre in Korea.

Highlights will include power moves, acrobatic dances, beatboxing and hip-hop music. “Flying Higher” aims to show the audience how freedom can be expressed through creative dance movement...more info>>

A B-Boy or B-Girl is a person devoted to hip-hop culture, specifically the break dance element. The term originated with the first hip-hop DJ, Kool DJ Herc, who, on noticing the reaction of some dancers to drum breaks, named them Break-Boys or B-Boys.

The performances are sponsored and organised by the Korea Foundation, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Laos , and the Lao Ministry of Information and Culture.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea yesterday announced the performances, which will be free.

By Vientiane Times

Eric B, whose song Jop Jop Kan Pai (The End of Love) is now popular on the radio waves in Vientiane, has set back the launch of their self-titled album from March to April.

Managing Director of Modern Music Company, Mr Oudalai Nusyhalad, said that the change of plans was because the album is not completed yet and half of the group, Mr Eric, or Air, is in the US and unable to return for a concert.

“Eric B is the newest hip hop act from our company. There are two lyricists - Mr Eric and Ms Phouvilai Seng-akhom, also known as Noy. The forthcoming album also features a performance from rapper Lair who is in the band Laoster,” Mr Oudalai said...more >>

“The two main reasons for the delay in the album and concert are that we want to launch the audio CD and VCD at the same time, and we have had some problems during our work, which has wasted time. Another problem is that Eric, and also Lair, are unavailable due to work commitments and they asked to move the launch back so they can be here,” he said.

“We are still working hard on the album, with only about 5-10 percent to go. So now we can plan for a special event with a launch concert in April to coincide with the Pi Mai Lao celebrations,” he said.

The album features 12 songs, all of them recorded and produced in Vientiane . Many of the songs reflect the social lives of young people and mix both Lao and English lyrics.

The rappers have already released two singles, You My Girl and Jop Jop Kan Pai, both currently hitting the airwaves in Vientiane.

Eric B and the company started work on the album in 2006 with extensive song production from Sam and Mee, who helped in the writing and creating of the album and videos.

By PHOONSAB THEVONGSA
Vientianetimes

Phoulin Kousalivong (Lin), 24, born in Phonsavanh village, Paek district, Xieng Khouang province. He graduated from Dongkhamxang financial institute in 2006. Before fully entering the music industry, Lin used to be the member of "Raza brand" which belong to Lao-American college. In 2004, he participated in the music contest organized by the Quest college and was the winner in that time.

Later on, he separated himself from the band and established a small dancing group names: "Street brea kerz" or "B-boy dancing", in which Lin and his friend, Anousa, were the trainer for this band. One day during the practices, Lin had his right arm broken and had to stop his duty as a trainer.

Lin started to have an interest on the music and used to compose Lao song and proposed to Airsavanh, the executive of S.D music industry LTD. Finally he was accepted to be the new singer and had a chance to performe his first concert at Lao ITECC in 2004 under his first album entitled: "Rap Taohou"...more info

At present, Lin is now preparing to debut his full album called "The Zest". There are 3 members in the band: Lin, Luly and Tim. All the preparation is going well and the band is just waiting for Tim, who is now studying in Malaysia and will return home in April this year. The album is now 60% completed, in which, Lin composes all the songs and lyrics by himself.

The inspiration of Lin is from himself and one of his close friend, Bounhiep Bandith, who used to be the member of the Zest.

Lin's dream is to have his own business "CD shop" in the future. He revealed that he may not be able to rap when he gets older.

At present, the Zest joined many concerts organized by the S.D studio. Lin wants everyone to listen to his musics and he believes that everyone will love his songs as much as he does.

Source: ecom
Quick translation by Samakomlao fanclub

C-Star is now focusing on hip hop bands rather than rock because of high demand on the local market

The flourishing trend of hip hop beats is moving throughout Asia and has finally made it to Laos .

This was why a new recording company, C-Star, decided to put together a fresh group with five dazzling young girls.

“The song from the Luang Prabang hip hop group, L-Zone, is now in high demand by the public, as well as with traders in Vientiane 's Morning Market,” said producer and owner of C-Star, Mr Sonesack Khouvilay...more info

“I'm not just looking for perfect pitch and good looks for this group,” the producer told Vientiane Times. “I'm looking for some real Luang Prabang women to create a new hot new dance movement in the entertainment industry.”

The group could also have a similar flavour to Vientiane 's four pop-dance divas in Princess, from Indee Records.

Sonesack believes Lao audiences are ready and waiting for a new style of music group, and that a five-girl team could easily capture the crowds.

L-Zone's overwhelming hip hop hits Kiknoychai and Sexy Khalay, produced by his company, manage to weave in the familiar Luang Prabang sounds, which has helped to bring the group massive success on local radio, skyrocketing up the hit lists on stations like Music Lover 97.25 FM in Vientiane .

“L-Zone's debut album Kiknoychai has a gold hip hop sound, and has sold more than 6,000 copies with more on order for customers who missed out on the first run,” Sonesack said.

“Songs for the new generation, like hip hop or pop, should be accessible for everyone.”

After the huge success of the L-Zone's first hip hop album, the producer has just completed another, Second Day .

New songs on this album, like Khoy and Than Dum, are already getting radio requests, even though they haven't been formally released yet, and aren't yet on sale.

Sonesack said he had initially planned to bring this album onto the market next month, but has had second thoughts because of the continuing success of the previous album, as he didn't want to harm sales.

“There are heaps of female listeners requesting Khoy every day, even though the song's only been out for five days,” a DJ on 97.25 FM, Khampanya Phengvinaiya, explained.

Sonesack said consumer preference had recently shifted away from hard rock, which is now becoming popular only with niche audiences.

Along with the current hip hop trend, another band is being put together by the Fanfam recording company, which is producing an album with an excitingly original trio made up of three singers, one of them a Lao-African woman, whose highly anticipated debut will take place shortly.

“I now have to accept that rock music is hard to sell in Laos, maybe because Lao rock fans prefer hard rock groups from overseas,” said Sonesack, who himself has a background as the lead singer in hard rock band Hi-Flame, founded in Luang Prabang.

“Most Lao listeners don't really understand the different technical sounds foreign rock bands produce,” he added.

When asked why rock band The Cells has become so popular in Laos and Thailand , Sonesack explained that, like American group Linkin Park , the band has been able to keep a lot of diversity in its sound, incorporating hip hop, R&B and rock with other music styles that can appeal to a greater range of listeners.

“The big issue in producing is to make your business survive. When we are producing we have to understand that our aim is to entertain our listeners, and give them what they want,” Sonesack said.

By Viengsavanh Phengphachan

4 Corners will be performing in Vientiane, Laos in South East Asia on the 6th and 7th April 2007.

Telecommunications Company Millicom Laos are re-branding their product to Tigo which is throughout Africa and South America. Their slogan for their re-branding campaign is "Open up Your World" hence employing the talents of 4 Corners to perform. While in Laos 4 Corners are planning to go into the studio with one of Laos top rap groups, L.O.G's.... more info

Also 4 Corners have just released their debut album The Foundations in Australia through Grindin' records which comes under the Central Station Records umbrella. They completed a mini Australian tour doing 8 performances over 9 days. It was 4 Corners first venture into Australian territory and they have had a positive response.

During their time in Australia they were also the guest speakers at some youth workshops in West Sydney working along MC Trey and DJ Nick Toth. Their highlight of their trip was filming for MTV's programme The Lair which also featured on the bill Princess Superstar and Something for Kate. The Lair was live to air in Australia but also broadcasted in NZ and the UK.

Australia's high profile hip hop DJ Nino Brown's Blazin' 2007 CD was also released in March in Australia with a limited edition DVD through Universal. The bonus DVD featured 4 Corners – On The Downlow video.

4 Corners have also completed their 5th video for the track Get Back Down featuring Tyra Hammond with the help of Director Sam Tozer and production company Brownstreet. This track has received great airplay so keep an eye out on TV for the brand new video.

SOurce: www.amplifier.co.nz