The restriction on the way music should be has just eased in 2003, but the pace of which the Laos music is moving to the pop culture is fast. Not only getting popularity in the country, it also penetrate inside Thailand’s audience, and even further, in Japan. Prior to 2003 the only music you will be able to find on Laos mass media is Laos country music, but now there are variety styles of music available in Laos ranged from pop to rock, and even hip hop and rap music.

After a few time I listen to the Lao music, one thing I can feel is it taste like Thai’s. It is no surprise that Lao music taste so much like Thai music, geographically and culturally these two nations linked to one another. However, for music to penetrate deep the country audience and even neighboring country it takes creativities and originality among its artist. It is surprise to me that with so little time, but Laos music take a very big step.

Compare to Laos, Cambodia has never experienced such restriction and censorship after the war ended, this leaving so much time for Cambodian artist to evolve. But it is sad that despite all the time we have, Cambodia still copy music from Thai, Chinese, and even English. There must be some thing wrong with us Cambodian, are we lack of creativities? Or the market it self doesn’t encourage artists to put their best in to making great music from audience? But, one thing I am sure is: it is time for us to re-think they way our music should be.

Source: http://borin.ws/?p=73