Hip-hopper J-Me

MYANMAR will be first to celebrate the 2007 Inter-national Music Festival on June 3 at Alliance Française.

“Myanmar will be the first country in the world to hold the Féte de La Musique 2007,” said Stephane Dovert, director of Alliance Française, at the International Music Festival press conference on May 22. “Paris will hold it on June 21, the longest day of the year. Here we will hold it much earlier because of the weather.”

This year, the focus is on hip-hop and Mr Dovert said they hope to attract amateur hip hop artists to perform on the night.

“We are presenting Yangon’s hip-hop community with an opportunity to showcase their talents,” he said. “It’s not a competition but we will offer the best group or artist a chance to record their original music at a studio free of charge. They will be able to release up to 500 CDs.”

The concert will also feature some of the biggest names in local hip hop including J-Me, Thax Soe and Yatha, along with a guest appearance by French DJ Shen Roc who will also give a workshop on DJing, aptly named "Human Beat Box", to musicians.

J-Me said he was preparing for his best performance yet.

“I was involved in the festival last year and I thought this was going to be the same but then I heard that an experienced French DJ was coming,” said J-Me. “It’s an exciting change and I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”
Alliance Française success-fully introduced Fête de la Musique to locals in 2006 for the first time.

“Some years ago, the International Music Festival was held inside a cramped venue,” said Mr Dovert. “Last year we held the French version inside BME II and opened it to the public. Over 6000 people joined us.

“Paris puts on an amazing festival and was the first place in the world to hold one in 1981. Now many countries have adopted the tradition including Myanmar.”

The festival will run in two parts starting at 5pm with the amateur hip-hop concert. Applications for the first part close on May 30 and can be picked up at Alliance Française. The second part of the night will feature professional groups and artists. Entry to the festival is free.