THE FUSION GENERATION: Long Beach artists born during the Killing Fields share their lives through music and literature

Prach Ly on stage

Navy Phim signing her books

THE FUSION GENERATION: Long Beach artists born during the Killing Fields share their lives through music and literature.

By Tiara Delgado
for the Khmer Post

Born during the Killing Fields… with childhood memories of Thai refugee camps.

They are the fusion generation. A fusion of two cultures. They are the middle generation of Khmer-Americans now in their late-20’s to early 30’s. Unlike older siblings who have extensive memories of Cambodia before and during the genocide, the fusion generation has limited or no memory of Cambodia. Unlike younger siblings born into peace and privilege, the fusion generation struggled with their parents to survive as refugees in their new American society.

Two young Long Beach artists from the fusion generation have chosen to share their lives with the world. One artist through music. One artist through literature. Both have incredible tales to tell. Their messages connect not only with Khmer communities but will resonate with audiences worldwide.

PRACH LY – Rap Artist – Dalama 3: Memoirs of an Invisible War


Prach Ly was born in 1979 at the end of the Killing Fields. His family made their way across landmine infested jungles to a refugee camp at the Thai border. After being sponsored to the US he struggled to survive the mean streets of Long Beach, California. He blossomed into a talented rap artist, writing powerful lyrics about his family’s escape from Cambodia and the hardships of being a refugee youth.

Prach became a huge success in Khmer communities across the US and even caught attention of Newsweek and the LA Times. Although Prach had never been back to Cambodia his music made its way over to the Kingdom. Bootlegged copies sold like crazy bringing him to superstar status. His first album, Dalama- the Endin’ is just the Beginnin’ was released in 2001. His second album, Dalama 2 – the Lost Chapter was released in 2003. Since then he has been busy producing and developing new musical talent and creating music for film soundtracks. He also made two journeys back to Cambodia (his trip was the subject of an award-winning documentary.)

Dalama 3- Memoirs of an Invisible War is expected to be released no later then April 2008, in time for Cambodian New Year. His new album is highly anticipated because it is the last in the trilogy. “The music is more mature than the previous two albums. The lyrics are more fierce. I took off the gloves and put on brass knuckles,” says Prach. “The last two Dalamas were more about the Killing Fields and my past. This Dalama is more about the present and future… yet it doesn’t forget about the past or my roots.”

The new album is definitely harder and darker than the previous albums. Masterful lyrics draw the listener into a tortured past, a complex present and – ultimately - a hopeful future.

Prach explains, “This album is called Memoirs of an invisible war. Everyone’s got their own invisible war inside their mind. This album is about mine.” His music never contains lyrics degrading women, obscene language or glorified violence. While other rappers express their “invisible wars” about gang life, drugs and girls, Prach raps about the legacy of Pol Pot, contemporary Cambodian politics and the culture clash of his generation.

“Hells Gate” is a powerful track on Dalama 3 that recalls his family’s experience in refugee camps at the Thai border:

“My sister waits in line to get us some food
while my brothers and others search for firewood.
Or water or whatever they could get.
While my mama watch me; I wasn’t even a year yet.
No blankets, I was wrapped in a Khmer sheet.
Turned into a hammock, I sleep while the family eats.”

The mesmerizing drumbeat and haunting melody of this track make it destined to be an audience favorite. The lyrics are merciless in detail, describing life inside the Thai border camps.

“Lucky for us we were all OK. Not like the others losing arms and legs.
Stepping on bombs, grenades…”

The upcoming album has 13 songs in Khmer and 13 songs in English compiled into a double-disc CD. Each song is different (not translated) with its own story and message. It will be available in Khmer music stores nation-wide and possibly Tower records. It can also be purchased online at Prach’s website www.mujestic.com. CD’s can also be purchased directly from Prach if you catch up with him on tour. (Check his website for 2008 tour dates.)

The anticipated album hasn’t been without controversy. Certain songs have caught negative attention with the government in Cambodia. There are rumors that if those songs are released on Dalama 3 that Prach himself will be banned from Cambodia. “I owe it to the people in Cambodia to let them hear the music. If I give in to the threats it’s a lost cause,” Prach states. “I’ve got to complete the album. The music’s gotta be heard.”

NAVY PHIM – Author – Reflections of a Khmer Soul

Navy Phim was born April 9, 1975 – a week before the Khmer Rouge captured Phnom Penh and turned Cambodia into a bloodbath. From 1979 – 1983 Navy and her family lived in Thai refugee camps. At age six she sold French bread in the camps while dodging menacing Thai soldiers. In 1984 Navy and her family arrived in the USA. Navy accomplished what most would consider to be the American Dream. She excelled in academics earning a Bachelors in Anthropology and English and a Masters in Counseling from Cal State Long Beach. She traveled the world visiting exotic lands such as India, Nepal, Peru, Costa Rica and Scotland. She also traveled four times to Cambodia.

“The kind of love, heartache, and pain I feel for Srok Khmer is deeply embedded within my soul; these feelings are suffused with glorious memories and stories that are real, even if they are stories and distant memories that may not even be mine” (Phim, page 47).

In 2007 Navy published her memoirs in a passionate and intriguing autobiography titled Reflections of a Khmer Soul. The book accounts the timeline of her compelling life: beginning with her 9-months pregnant mother fleeing from encroaching Khmer Rouge, through her childhood in refugee camps, to her upbringing in Long Beach and self-discovery as a young adult.

“… my soul feels poetically Khmer. The past 20 years have been a process of assimilating, eliminating, and accepting different aspects of Khmer and American cultures” (Phim, page 64).

Snippets of endearing memories and interesting historical facts add depth to the book. The author reveals her personal opinions about the Khmer Rouge, Communism, racism, religion, ethnic cleansing and other sensitive topics with bold honesty.

“Cambodia is the home of memories, the taste and scent of tropical fruits, the call of childhood… California is a home that provides many reasons to disregard Cambodia, but Cambodia is not easily forgotten” (Phim page 49).

Reflections of a Khmer Soul can be purchased through many retailers:

1. Directly from the publisher www.wheatmark.com.
2. Through online bookstores like Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Borders.
3. autographed copy from www.khmerhut.com.
4. At local coffee shops in Long Beach: Portfoilo Coffee House and NuArt Café.

The book has already received rave reviews by many top academic scholars across the country. Even with the growing success of her book, the author has remained humble and even contributes a portion of book sales to charitable fundraisers.

On October 20, 2007 Navy sold and autographed copies of her book at a cultural event held at CSULB. The public event - Cambodia 30 years after the Killing Fields - was hosted by the Dr. Haing S. Ngor Foundation. Excerpts from Navy’s book were read aloud. The audience, comprised of Khmer and non-Khmer- listened… captivated… contemplative. This book is highly recommended for audience of any ethnicity because it is ultimately a story about humanity. For more information please visit the author’s personal website www.navyphim.com.