ka oskar ly

multidisciplinary artist / playwright / community organizer

multidisciplinary artist / playwright / community organizer

BIOGRAPHY

Ka Oskar Ly is a multidisciplinary Hmong-American artist based in Minnesota whose creative practice spans singer-songwriting, fashion design, creative direction, and, most recently, playwriting. Her work is rooted in cultural expression, identity, and community—using the arts not only as a personal outlet but also as a medium for storytelling, historical documentation, and cultural preservation. Through her creative expressions, Ka contributes to a broader movement of artists reclaiming narrative space for marginalized communities.

Ka’s musical style blends elements of alternative, trip hop, soul, and soft rock. She is deeply influenced by artists such as Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, Sia, Adele, Banks, and Jessie Ware, and is currently interested in experimenting more with electronic sounds. Whether performing or producing, her goal is to develop music that resonates deeply with audiences while remaining artistically authentic and visionary.

Motivated by the high of meaningful creation, Ka seeks to tell stories that reflect her lived experience and her community’s resilience. Yet, as an artist and community organizer, she is constantly balancing the demands of creating space for others while struggling to find time and momentum to prioritize her own work. She speaks candidly about the exhaustion that comes from carving out platforms for underrepresented voices, only to find herself depleted when it’s time to create her own art.

Ka’s artistic journey is also about building systems of accountability and support. She believes that connecting with a peer group of like-minded, talented artists would not only challenge her creatively but also provide the encouragement and structure needed to keep moving forward with her goals. Her work continues to challenge the mainstream by making space for stories and identities that are often sidelined—and she embraces that challenge with purpose and vulnerability.

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