Schoua Na Yang

BIOGRAPHY

Schoua Na is a Hmong-American music artist that goes by the artist name S U N A H (Suh-Naa) a music producer, beat maker, singer and performer from Saint Paul. Schoua Na has been part of the Hmong arts and music community since early 2000’s. Starting as a poet and performing spoken word gave them a platform to explore the different ways to express and share their stories as a youth. Schoua Na is rooted from the open mic scene and have participated in organizing them as well. Through these events they were able to meet a lot of music artists that came through, eventually forming a band called. Shattered Echo’Z, one of the Hmong alternative Rock band pioneers of its time. Schoua Na was the drummer and song-writer for the group. After the disbandment Schoua Na ventures off as a soloist and created an EP project in 2014 called “Unique” under their former artist name Sonic Rain. Unique highlights a younger version of themselves through a time of finding love and safety in relationships. In 2017 they dropped their first single “Super Power “this song addresses the many issues of tokenizing Hmong Queer and Trans people to advance organizations agenda, the impact of exploiting womyn and how patriarchy culture continues to influence the world through different media channels such as TV politics, social media and cultural practices. Schoua Na continued to promote Super Power through the Twin Cities Music Summer Series show, produced by MPR (Minnesota Public Radio). Over the years of project releases the artist took a hiatus from the music scene to focus on community organizing, starting the first Hmong Queer and Trans radio show in the U.S called Nplooj and mentoring youth in creating media projects.

In 2021 Schoua Na re-enters the music scene and got selected to be on the Cedar Commission Cohort. They released a full-length music project called "No Word for Queer" under their new artist name S U N A H. This project shines a light about the creation in having more inclusive and positive labels or descriptions pertaining to gender identities in the Hmong language for LGBTQ+ folks since there is none and the intersections of being Hmong and Queer. S U N A H uses elements of Hip-Hop, electronic dance, groovy tones and chill vibes.

ARTIST STATEMENT

I believe music and art provide a compass for people to understand the messaging on social and cultural issues impacting marginalized communities. My intent to creating music is to influence the larger population to be part of positive solutions. If you have a gift or passion to better and level up our society and environment, please use it because we’re all we’ve got and no one is leaving this rock. Be part of movements and change that is rooted in love, accountability and ending violence. Your voice matter.

CONTACt

email: booksunah@gmail.com