Supasang- Doing His Thang! (Profile)
Sang Luangrath, aka, Supasang, was born in Vientiane, Laos on November 11th, 1983 to Tui Luangrath (Susana Picchione). A few months after he was born, Supasang’s father had left them and he was out of their life ever since. Supasang was left behind with his aunts and uncles back in Laos, while his mother was in the United States working to established herself and start a new life. He came to America in 1992, at the age of eight to rejoin his mother who had resettled in Garden Grove, California. Supasang moved in with his mother and step father in a predominantly white neighborhood however, his life in America took a dramatic turn when they filed for a divorce four years later.
With little money, Supasang and his mother moved into the west side of Fullerton, where gang activities are the way of life. This side of town was a major shock to Supasang, who was barely adjusting to life in America at the age of thirteen. Although the surrounding neighborhoods were full of drugs, murders, and other gang activities, Supasang’s love of music kept him going. He started writing poems in Junior High School as a way to pick up girls. His poems eventually turned to rap music where he recorded songs from his mother’s tape recorder.
Supasang was a name given to him by a high school classmate who claims Supasang is the coolest person he knows. While attending Savanna High School in Anaheim, California, Supasang’s rapping and freestyling took hold of his life. He was rapping in class, on the phone, in the car, during his sleep, rhyming off the top of his head. During High School, besides rapping and freestyling, Supasang was affiliated with Asian gangs. In the beginning, the surrounding environment lead him to a life of gang. But, his life changed after the murder of his friends in December of 1999, forcing him to take a different route.
Rap and Hip Hop Music has changed his life for the better now that he has grown. Using his talent, Supasang started writing songs about his life experiences. Now, at 24, he is known as the Laotian rap artist from the OC (Orange County, CA. 714). His two music videos “Lam Buc Dam” and “Kop Jai” has been smash hits on the internet. With a new tract mix tape out, “Hustle & Flow”, Supasang is a free agent waiting for a record deal.
Interview:(by Laoville staff)
How many brothers and sisters do you have?
A: I have only 1 younger brother, ChayPhueane Douanglee (22) who lives in Ohio and no sister.
When your family left Laos, did you guys stay at a refugee camp in Thailand?
A: Actually, my aunt who was already here in California, sponsored my mom to come first, so she can establish herself and start a new life. While my mom was in the U.S. working, I stayed behind living with my aunts and uncles. So no, my mom did not stay at a refugee camp. I only mentioned my mom because I have never seen my dad, nor did I hear from him in my life before. He left when I was only a couple months, but that's another story.
What was it like growing up? Did you grow up in an all white neighborhood or was it a mixture?
A: When I first came to America, yes I did live in a white part of town in Garden Grove. Four years later my mom and my step dad filed for divorce. During the summer of 1997, right after I finished 6th grade, my living situation turned 360 degrees. With no place to go and with little money or no money, we turned to Nakhonevieng Khamhongsa (Lek), one of my mom's lottery customers and who also had a crush on her. With his help we had a place to stay, eat and sleep. We moved to Baker Street on the west side of Fullerton now known as Iris Court, but it was not all that great because when we moved in, the whole neighborhood was full of gang activities. I am not talking about crips or bloods I'm talking about eses, vatos or cholos. It was very scary just to walk outside in the daytime! Coming from a nice quiet white neighborhood to a full on gang banging environment was new to me. At the age of 13 that was when I experienced the life in the hood or a ghetto. It was like a drama/action film living there because we had drive-by shootings and even murders. My block was so violent we made it on Fox 11 Los Angeles news, for street name change and also a video tape of a Baker Street gang member shooting at a rival gang member at a house party in Fullerton. It pisses me off when I tell people I am from the bad area of Orange County and they do not buy my story. They think Orange County is all about the beach and sunshine. True, true, but remember, there's a ghetto everywhere you go.
How did you get into rap music? What influenced you?
A: I like all music period, but most of the time I am listening to commercial/mainstream Rap and R&B. I listen to all coast Hip-Hop meaning; west, east, north, and south. But two specific mainstream artists I listen to a lot is of course my California native fellow rapper The Game and before Game it was 50 Cent. I love 50 Cent’s music because it is good music and catchy, period. Whether people like 50 Cent or not, they should at least give him props because he's a hustler and a self-made man. But before The Game, before 50 Cent, it was my main man, my all time favorite, Tupac Amaru Shakur aka 2pac. To me, 2pac is the best of the best. He covered every topic people can relate to. Yes he is a thug, but that's who he is. Despite all that, I do not have to say much about him just listen to his music, understand his lyrics, and the messages behind his songs. And for the most reason, it is because I can relate to certain situations that he has been through. 2pac rest in peace!
What are your plans for the future?
A: My plan for the future is music, music, and more music. Well, I am going to keep making music and anything that comes along for me, but my main goal is to get that record deal and be the first to represent my Laotian people.
What advice or what do you want to say to anyone who is looking to get into the music industry?
A: It is tough which mean you also have to be tough. So if you cannot take criticism, then this is the wrong business for you because it will bring you down. Make sure that everything you do, you give it a 110 percent. If you do not like your product, then for damn sure, the audiences are not going to like it. And it is true when people say practice makes perfect so practice, practice and practice because there are a lot of competition out there.
Have you been to Laos?
A: I lived in Laos for 8 years and I was born in Vientiane, Laos on November 11th, 1983. Yes, I have been back to Laos 4 times, when I was 11, 18, 21, and 22 years old. I love it there that is my favorite vacation spot.
As a role model to the young Lao people out there, what do you want to say to them?
A: There are no excuses in life. You can be wherever you want to be and you can be whoever you want to be, but you just have to do it! All I am saying is if you have a dream pursue it and to never give up. Giving up is so easy, it is weakness. When people do not believe in you, then you have to believe in yourself because proving someone wrong is the sweetest joy.
Supasang's Videos
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Gumby, aka Pryce
April, 5 2008 08:00 PM - Lao-American Youth Fundraising (Rachada Thai Cuisine)13416 E Imperial Highway, Santa Fe Springs, California 90670 - $10.00
Come out and support me especially come support the Lao-American Youth. Put your money into a good use. For more info please call Dave (714)561-5199.
April, 13 2008 12:00 PM - Wat Lao of Riverside (Laos New Year)6021 Rutland Ave, Riverside, California 92503 - N/A
Come join Supasang and the rest of the Laos community as we celebrate Laos New Year! All entrance fees goes to the temple. What better then helping out a good cause? For more info please call (951)509-0931.
April, 20 2008 09:00 PM - Club Sync (Laos New Year)245 Pine Ave, Long Beach, California 90802 - $10.00
What a better way to celebrate Laos New Year w/ Supasang & Gumby on one stage! For more info please contact Xai (714)932-0790.
January, 1 2009 08:00 PM - Laos/Thailand TourVientiane,Laos & Bangkok,Thailand, - TBD
This is an official tour sponsored by Xpress Production. Is not going to be happen anytime soon so everything is (TBD) To Be Determine. Stay Posted.
Contact the writer: Laoville.com