VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese rapper Suboi, 26, was interviewed live on CNN via Skype on May 25 after her exchange with US President Barack Obama in HCM City during a town hall meeting with  a group from the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).

In talks between President Obama anda group of YSEALI members in HCM City on Wednesday, rapper Suboi attracted the attention of the US media when she rapped at the request of Obama. CNN, the Washington Post and the New York Times wrote about the Vietnamese rapper.

Obama had also asked her what the rap meant.

"I was just talking about how some people have a lot of money, have big houses, but actually are they really happy?" she told Obama.

At the meeting, Obama spoke about the importance of the arts in international politics, making some music of his own to drop a very brief beat for rapper Suboi during the final moments.

The 26-year-old rapper asked Obama about the role of the arts in international relations.

"I want to know how important it is for a nation to really help and promote their art and culture to help nations in the future," she said.

Obama's answer was that artistic expression is important to help people relate to each other.

"Music, poetry, representations of life as it is and how it should be -- those are the things that inspire people. And if I listen to a Vietnamese rap and it connects to the things I'm feeling, now I feel closer to a country on the other side of the world."

Suboi also described the challenges she faces as an Asian woman in hip hop.

"They assume a lot of stereotypes," she said. "For Vietnamese people, it's different. They think rapping is not for girls."

Obama told her those concerns are not unique to Vietnam. "That's true in the United States too," he said. "There's always been sexism and stereotypes in the music industry like every other part of life."

On the evening of May 25, CNN organized a live interview with Suboi via Skype. The conversation lasted nearly five minutes. The host Kristie Lu Stout asked Suboi about the meaning of the song that she sang for President Obama.

In the interview, Suboi also shared the feeling of satisfaction with the answer of the President at the meeting. "I cannot ask for more. The answer exceeded my expectations."

After expressing excitement about having the chance to speak with the President, Suboi spoke about her desire of bringing music of Vietnam to the world and performing in many countries.

Below is the short interview with Suboi on CNN:


Play

 

 

Thanh Van