The following article was written by Dr Kaonou Hang-Vue, who helps coordinate AAPI events in Manitowoc.
What better way to celebrate May as AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) month and Hmong American Day on May 14th than to dive into the Hmong culture. Let me share with you a little bit about a local Hmong artist/singer/songwriter named Va Moua. I had the opportunity to sit down with him and find out who he is, what inspires his music and what’s to come for this talented Hmong rockstar.
Have you ever heard a song that made you want to listen to it on repeat for days on end? Well, many many people, including me found that song to be “Hey Hmong Girl” by Va Moua. This song was recently released by Moua and was so well received by his fans and the community that he went back to the studio and released a music video and karaoke version of the song in spring of 2023, just months after it was originally released. With blended lyrics in both Hmong and English, it’s quite the catchy song!
Music artist Va Moua with the Hey Hmong Girl models L-R Hope Thao, Anastasia Vue, Va Moua, Ely Her, Lilly Vang (missing from photo Luag Ntxhi Xyooj)
Let me start at the beginning. I met Moua on the set of his music video and was amazed by his humble and soft-spoken demeanor. After the video wrapped, I felt the world needed to know a little more about this rising star from Green Bay and how better to do it than by sharing his talent with you during AAPI month. By day, Va Moua is a utility construction worker but when he’s not working, he’s in his home studio writing new lyrics and creating some more of his unique music. Ever since he was a child, Moua has been singing and listening to the Backstreet Boys, dreaming about being in his own boy band some day. In high school, he was part of the show choir and eventually started his singing career in 2012 after graduation. When he hit a singing plateau, he challenged himself to work through it. Moua is pretty musically…
Read the full article here