Andrew A.GAME.17 Mam

It’s been about a week and a half since our @johnniewalker XR21 x @barameyofficial concert “the Infinite Journey”. Reflecting back not just on how awesome the concert was but the journey we took to get here. If you didn’t know, this year is Baramey’s 10th year anniversary. The milestone has me reflecting on people to thank but also about my own growth from the naive young man who arrived here nearly a decade ago. One thing I’m really proud of from this night: I did 6 minute speech on behalf of Baramey in about 70% Khmer, 30% English. 2018 me would be so proud. I told myself a while ago that even if this Baramey thing didn’t work out, that if I at least could speak my mother language after 3 decades in USA of not being able to, then I would be fully satisfied. Taking this opportunity to do so and being able to speak from the heart about the journey, our sacrifices, our thanks for the fans and business collaborators was the ultimate win for the insecure young Andy questioning what it meant to be Khmer in San Jose. It was the first time in years I felt nervous to do public speaking, forreal. These two videos here didn’t capture the full speech - we have some nicer footage that maybe I’ll post haha. Team needs to edit the special performance videos first.

Grateful to @revivrestudio @tifannybopha for this custom suit. I knew I’d have the proper occasion to wear it and show love to one of my favorite designers in PP. Grateful to @jtschhay for this incredible JW partnership and all of your other contributions to Khmer art that many others probably don’t see. Im glad to get closer to you Bong and make some dope shit. Grateful to my whole @barameyofficial team for this concert. We been through a lot this year. It was really hard and still is. But the team has kept an incredible spirit and never lost their joy. We’ve evolved and upskilled so far and we still have more to give to Cambodia and the world. To close it out: Khmer people are resilient AF. I’m grateful that I get to walk in this infinite journey with you. Orkun.