Thai Hip-Hop
Over the last week, I have been questioning every Thai that I meet about music. I asked the girls selling knock-off Gucci sunglasses on the street; I asked the taxi drivers; I asked the university students that staff my hostel. They all say the same thing: check out Joey Boy and Thaitanium.
So I went to Siam Square yesterday (stomping grounds for Thai teens) and spent the afternoon in the record shops, trying to cobble together conversations with the dudes that work there from their limited English, a whole lot of hand gestures, and my nonexistent Thai (note to self: learn to speak Thai!). Bought Joey Boy's The Greatest Beats 1994-2000, Silk Sounds' Fresh To Death, Thaitanium's R.A.S. (Resisting Against Da System), and an underground mixtape, Siam Mixtape Vol. 1 hosted by JRoc.
Hip-Hop seems to be exploding here right now. Been reading all the English language newspapers and magazines, and many make reference to how popular the culture is becoming. There are loads of hip-hop club nights, lots of graffiti, and I hear that every night at dusk, breakdancers gather outside MBK shopping center and bust moves on cardboard platforms. Will check that out soon.
Back to food. So happy eating Thai food every day. The hostel that I am staying in (more on that later) is run by a Thai family and they offer a home-cooked Thai meal every night for 60 baht (about two dollars). Last night we had a salty soup with beef balls and cabbage, chicken wings with sweet chili sauce, rice, and garlic green beans. The meals are always so fresh. Also been experimenting with street cart food. Haven't gotten sick yet (knock on wood). Last night I tried a sweet banana pancake that was out of this world--crispy with sweetened condensed milk drizzled on top.
So I went to Siam Square yesterday (stomping grounds for Thai teens) and spent the afternoon in the record shops, trying to cobble together conversations with the dudes that work there from their limited English, a whole lot of hand gestures, and my nonexistent Thai (note to self: learn to speak Thai!). Bought Joey Boy's The Greatest Beats 1994-2000, Silk Sounds' Fresh To Death, Thaitanium's R.A.S. (Resisting Against Da System), and an underground mixtape, Siam Mixtape Vol. 1 hosted by JRoc.
Hip-Hop seems to be exploding here right now. Been reading all the English language newspapers and magazines, and many make reference to how popular the culture is becoming. There are loads of hip-hop club nights, lots of graffiti, and I hear that every night at dusk, breakdancers gather outside MBK shopping center and bust moves on cardboard platforms. Will check that out soon.
Back to food. So happy eating Thai food every day. The hostel that I am staying in (more on that later) is run by a Thai family and they offer a home-cooked Thai meal every night for 60 baht (about two dollars). Last night we had a salty soup with beef balls and cabbage, chicken wings with sweet chili sauce, rice, and garlic green beans. The meals are always so fresh. Also been experimenting with street cart food. Haven't gotten sick yet (knock on wood). Last night I tried a sweet banana pancake that was out of this world--crispy with sweetened condensed milk drizzled on top.
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