Huoy Meas (Khmer: ហួយ មាសpronounced[huəjmiəh]) (6 January 1946 – c. 1977[1][2]) also known as Meas Mathrey, was a Cambodian singer and radio announcer in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Until the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia in April 1975, Meas was the most popular female radio DJ in Cambodia,[1] working for the National Radio station and promoting the Cambodian rock and pop scene.[5] During her work with the National Radio (RNK), she interviewed Cambodian artists like Mao Sareth, Sos Math, and others who played large roles in the music industry of Cambodia at that time. She was also a popular singer in that scene, noted for melancholy lyrics about her own personal life. Norodom Sihanouk compared her lyrics and singing style to those of Edith Piaf.[5] Her most well-known songs included "Samros Borey Tioulong"[6] and "Unique Child".[5]
Meas disappeared during the Cambodian genocide of the late 1970s. One of the Khmer Rouge's first actions upon taking control of Cambodia was to commandeer the National Radio service where Meas worked. She is believed to have been one of the millions of residents of Phnom Penh ordered to evacuate the city and relocate to the countryside to become farm workers.[5] Srey Channthys stated in interviews that Huoy Meas was raped by several Khmer Rouge soldiers and then killed,[1][2] though her exact fate has never been confirmed.[5] Her work as both a radio personality and recording artist was profiled in the 2015 documentary film Don't Think I've Forgotten.[7]
References
^ abcStefanie Alisch (19 December 2013). "Rendezvous im Kosmos der Crosskultur"(PDF). Staging Cambodia – Video, Memory & Rock 'n' Roll: 21–22. Archived from the original(PDF) on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
^Sok Samphoasphalyka, Khiev Chakriya, Nov Povleakhena, Louv Lykeav, Nhem Piseth (18 October 2011). "The Peak of Khmer Music"(PDF). Dontrey – the Music of Cambodia. Department of Media and Communication, Royal University of Phnom Penh. Retrieved 2017-05-29.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ abcdeJohn Pirozzi and LinDa Saphan, liner notes, Don't Think I've Forgotten, soundtrack, 2015.
"Kampuchea National Radio with host Houy Meas - 1975". YouTube. Retrieved 2017-05-29. – "Houy Meas was the most popular radio DJ in Cambodia before the Khmer Rouge takeover in 1975. This is a clip from her show, Meas Mathrey"