Schoua Na Yang

singer / spoken word artist / radio host

BIOGRAPHY

Schoua Na Yang is a Hmong-American music artist, producer, and community cultural worker who performs under the name S U N A H (Suh-Naa). Based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, they are a beat maker, singer, songwriter, and performer whose work blends artistry with activism. Since the early 2000s, Schoua Na has been an active presence in the Hmong arts and music community, building a creative career rooted in storytelling, cultural critique, and collective empowerment.

Their artistic journey began in the spoken word and open mic scene, where poetry provided an early platform to explore identity, emotion, and social commentary. As both participant and organizer of open mic spaces, Schoua Na helped cultivate environments where emerging voices could be heard. Through these gatherings, they connected with fellow musicians and eventually co-founded Shattered Echo’Z, one of the pioneering Hmong alternative rock bands of its time. As the group’s drummer and songwriter, Schoua Na contributed to shaping a distinct sound that pushed creative boundaries within the Hmong music landscape.

Following the band’s disbandment, Schoua Na transitioned into solo work. In 2014, under the former artist name Sonic Rain, they released the EP “Unique,” a project reflecting personal explorations of love, vulnerability, and emotional safety. In 2017, they released the single “Super Power,” a bold critique of the tokenization of Hmong queer and trans communities, the exploitation of women, and the persistence of patriarchal structures across media and cultural institutions. The single was promoted through the Twin Cities Music Summer Series produced by Minnesota Public Radio (MPR), further solidifying their presence as an artist unafraid to address systemic injustice.

After several years of releasing music, Schoua Na stepped back from the performance spotlight to focus on community organizing and advocacy. During this time, they co-founded Nplooj, the first Hmong queer and trans radio show in the United States, creating a vital platform for dialogue, representation, and healing. They also mentored youth in media production, supporting the next generation in telling their own stories.

In 2021, Schoua Na re-entered the music scene and was selected for the Cedar Commission Cohort. Reintroducing themselves under the name S U N A H, they released the full-length project “No Word for Queer.” The album confronts the absence of inclusive terminology for LGBTQ+ identities within the Hmong language and culture, while exploring the intersections of being both Hmong and queer. Musically, S U N A H fuses elements of hip-hop, electronic dance, groove-based rhythms, and atmospheric tones to create a sound that is both reflective and energizing.

At the core of Schoua Na’s philosophy is the belief that music and art function as a compass — guiding people toward deeper understanding of social and cultural issues impacting marginalized communities. Their creative intent is not only to express personal truth, but to invite collective accountability and transformation. They call on artists and community members alike to use their gifts to build movements rooted in love, justice, and the dismantling of violence. For S U N A H, art is both resistance and healing, and every voice holds power.

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