Border Sâmaki: The major hip-hop concert in support of children and displaced persons in Phnom Penh

The Border Sâmaki was the major hip-hop charity event of the year in Cambodia, bringing together over forty artists and nearly 400 spectators at the B-Box Factory on Saturday 6 September.

Organised in a record time of just two weeks, this concert was initiated by the Fragmentis vitae Asia association in conjunction with the Paix et Solidarité en Asie du Sud-Est collective, to support displaced persons on the Cambodian border with Thailand and disadvantaged children supported by the Tiny Toones association

With a symbolic entrance fee of 2.5 dollars, over 1,500 dollars were raised, including entrance tickets, donations and drinks from the bar. The entire amount will be donated to Tiny Toones, a key player in the protection, education and support of vulnerable children for over twenty years, as well as to NGOs helping people affected by border conflicts.

The event impressed with its warm, festive atmosphere, impeccable organisation and, above all, a show of a quality that was unanimously acclaimed by the spectators and the institutional representatives present. Among the artists present were some of the biggest names in Cambodian and South-East Asian hip-hop: talents from the pioneering KlapYaHandz label such as Vuthea, Izame Siva and 4mara, rappers OG Golden and Toro, winners and finalists respectively in the “Rapper Fighter Cambodia” show, as well as 2MDIE, AK-K from the B-Side label, and many other independent artists. DJs Jackson, Illest, Larry Zinc and Miss Wii provided a dynamic musical line-up behind the decks, while B-Boy Slick, Cambodia's top breakdancer and representative at both the SEA Games 2023 and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, put in some stand-out performances. The band WBC, known for accompanying star VannDa, and various graffiti artists also contributed to the unique atmosphere of the evening.

All the artists performed on a voluntary basis, donating several thousand dollars' worth of performances to the cause, an act of solidarity that was applauded by both the organisers and the audience.

The organisation of the B-Box, with the essential support of Factory Phnom Penh, was decisive. In just two weeks, the B-Box team made its infrastructure and technical teams available and mobilised its network to ensure the success of the event. As Sun-Lay TAN, President of Fragmentis vitae Asia, points out, ‘when culture and solidarity meet, everything becomes possible’.

Beyond the music, Border Sâmaki was a time for sharing between generations and families, bringing together a diverse but united audience. Many families with children discovered hip-hop culture for the first time, in a friendly and respectful setting. Hélène Lê, coordinator of the event, points out that ‘seeing children dancing in the front row alongside their parents is a powerful symbol: hip-hop in Cambodia belongs to everyone, not just urban youth’.

The event also benefited from strong institutional support, with the presence and involvement of a number of Cambodian political figures, including Darariddh Ok, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, Tith Thavrith, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and Buon Heng, Deputy Director General at the Ministry of the Interior, whose patronage generated almost 70% of the donations collected. Their commitment testifies to the importance and institutional recognition of Border Sâmaki on a national scale.

The origins of this project go back to a simple idea born of a meeting between Hélène Lê and Marshal Sar, respectively administrator and member of Fragmentis vitae Asia, and Vibol Lim, founder of the RomBak Battle, Cambodia's No. 1 hip-hop dance competition. Their shared desire to unite the hip hop scene in a spirit of solidarity very quickly brought the artistic community together, thanks in particular to Alex Barth, founder of the B-Side label and co-owner of the B-Box Factory, who activated his network of rappers and artists.

In less than a fortnight, this chain of solidarity came to life, offering Phnom Penh a unique moment when culture, civic commitment and generosity came together to support major causes.