killa kela

My brother, Michal, is in town from Hong Kong and has been commenting on how Hanoi has changed since he left a year ago. The new buildings, more park space, and the small improvements in the flow of traffic are all minor in comparison to last night's performance at the Friendship Cultural Palace by the talented beatboxing Killa Kela. Although the main beatboxer's origins were easily identified by his strong London accent, he was preceded on stage by some of Hanoi's own rappers, break dancers, and beatboxers.

The whole event was impressively organized and executed by Noi Zee, a local event group. Noi Zee (as in noisy and means "say what?" in Vietnamese) had just started with a few events when Michal moved here two years ago. Their DJ's standing at a folding table at Hanoi's Piano Bar are a distant memory from the two-stage, smiling Heineken girls, true talent-filled night with Killa Kela. The beatboxer was able to entertain the crowd with well-known songs like Suzanne Vega's "Tom's Diner" by not only singing the lyrics, but accompanying himself with the beat and music to go with it.

What a wonderful change to see, not only in Hanoi's social scene but in the talent that is sprouting amongst young Vietnamese. Thank you, Noi Zee, for the venue for them to express and nurture that talent.