Preap Sovath

In this Cambodian name, the surname is Preap. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by the given name, Sovath.

Oknha Preap Sovath
ព្រាប សុវត្ថិ
Oknha Preap Sovath performing during the 32nd SEA Game in Cambodia, 2023
Born	(1975-01-25) January 25, 1975 Kandal Province
Occupations	Singer Actor Brand Ambassador
Musical career
Genres	Pop, Rock, Folk, Hip-Hop, and Traditional Khmer
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	Rasmey Hang Meas (1997–2020) Galaxy Navatra (2020–present)

Preap Sovath (Template:Lang-km Template:IPA-km; born January 25, 1975) ) is an iconic and talented singer of the modern Cambodian music industry. His career spans approximately thirty years, and he continues to be one of the most well-known artists in Cambodia, which has inspired many young singers to follow in his footsteps. Aside from being a talented singer, he is also a talented actor; he appeared as a main actor in the well-known movie The Crocodile. Being considered a legend in the Cambodian modern music industry, he had been chosen to be an audition judge on international TV programs such as Season 1 of Cambodia's Got Talent, The Voice Kid Cambodia Seasons 1 and Season 2.

With his fame and tireless social work, he continued to represent Cambodia on the international stage and received the prestigious honorary title of Oknha via royal decree in 2022.

Early life

During the year 1975, he was born under the Streblus asper Lour. Subsequently, his mother assigned him the name (Khmer: ស្នាយ), which was derived from the tree name from which he was born. 1975, the year he was born, was the year that the majority of Cambodians were subjected to the oppressive rule of the Khmer Rouge. He was born during the forced evacuation of Khmer Rouge, during which his mother was forced to walk for 3 days after 12 hours of giving birth to him. He suffered from a lack of food from the moment he was born, which is not different from what other Cambodians experience. His mother was unable to produce enough breast milk for some reason, which forced her to ask another mother to feed him. In 1977, his father was ordered to work at another place, but he never returned, leaving him to continue his life journey with his mom without his father until the present.

Life and Career

Preab Sovath and his mom were living in Kaoh Thum District, Kandal Province, from 1977 to 1982. Due to poverty, his mother decided to move to Phnom Penh City. On the journey without a home, the mother and son slept in the eaves whenever dusk came. His mother later joined the Army, which supported him in the pursuit of a bachelor's degree in economics after receiving his high school diploma in 1991. His journey to become a singer is unexpected, as he never expected to become a singer. The unexpected journey began in 1990 when he collaborated with one of the most popular artists, Touch Sunnix, and people started to appreciate his talent. Before joining the army in 1992, there was a party at which he sang, which attracted more attention and helped him land a job to sing in the pub at night and work for the army during the day. Due to his passion for music, he joined Rasmey Hang Meas in 1997, where he recorded songs across various genres, including pop, rock, folk, hip-hop, and traditional Khmer music. After spending 23 years with Rasmey Hang Meas, he signed for Galaxy Navatra, where he remains one of the most respected and successful singers in Cambodia. .

Decoration of Honor

Cambodian's First Lady Pech Chanmony (Left) Cambodia's Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet (Middle) Oknha Preap Sovath (Right) During Medal Ceremony in 2023.

In addition to being entitled to the title of "Oknha," which translates to "nobleman," King Norodom Sihamoni has bestowed upon him a multitude of medals of honor in recognition of his contribution to Cambodia. In recognition of his exceptional work in the preservation and defense of natural resources, he was awarded the Dhipadinda or Knight Commander class of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon in the year 2016.

In 2023, he was honored with the Knight Grand Cross class of the Royal Order of Cambodia for his great contributions to the preservation and development of Cambodian culture, as well as his support of Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games for the very first time. The Knight Grand Cross class of the Royal Order of Cambodia is one of the highest decorations of honor in Cambodia which was first introduced in 1864 by King Norodom.

Performances

Sovath took part in the MTV EXIT Concert in Phnom Penh on December 12, 2008. The concert was part of a campaign to raise awareness to end exploitation and human trafficking in Asia.

Sovath has performed at the Best of the Best: Live Concert, a concert which has taken place annually since 2004 at Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium and has included performances by Cambodian singers from Raksmey Hang Meas and more. The concert is free to the public; DVD sales cover the costs. He also performed at Best of the Best 2012 on February 14, 2012, at Koh Pich's Concert Hall.

Oknha Preap Sovath has also been involved in many international concerts such as:

• Japan Music Festival – 2003
• Thai-Cambodian Friendship Concert 2010
• Japan ASEAN Music Festival for Healing 2013

Achievements

Year	Category	Institution or publication	Result	Notes	Ref.
2007	Cambodia Best Actor	Top Honor at Cambodian Film	Won	The Crocodile (IMDb-2005)
2012	Cambodia Top Singer Award	Anachak Dara	Won	Sabay Company
2013	Best Male Singer Award	Anachak Dara	Won	Sabay Company
2014	Representation of Cambodia	World Music Awards	Nominated	Monte Carlo Monaco 2014

Logo Brand	Brand Name	Brand Ambassador Institution	Year
	Isuzu	Isuzu-Cambodia	2019
	Vivo	Vivo Mobile-Cambodia	2019

Discography

Album Name	Released	Label
Beam Preah Mok Sbot Kor Min Jer	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.56
Sexy Lady	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.59
Rodern Mean Sneh	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.85
U Better Not Come Home	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.255
So Cool-So Hot	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.276
Last Year	2007	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.324
My Sexy Lady	2018	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.603

Solo albums

Album Name	Released	Label
Soft Rock	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.55
Koa Tnei Pram	2003	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.44
Slight Pain	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.87
Preap Sovath Noodle	2006	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.268
Real Rock	2006	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.316
Early Morning	2007	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.331
Lady	2016	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.530
Ah Neth Meas Bong	2016	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.545

Compilation albums

Album Name	Released	Label
Better Day	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.53
Cham Bong Mean Sen	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.86
Chet Prey Psai	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.90
Style Sneh	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.69

Filmography

• 2005: The Crocodile ("នេសាទក្រពើ")
• 2013: Have You Ever Loved Me? ("ធ្លាប់ស្រលាញ់ខ្ញុំទេ?")

Television

• 2014: Cambodian's Got Talent Season 1 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2015: Cambodian Idol Season 1 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2016: Cambodian Idol Season 2 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2017: The Voice Kids Cambodia Season 1 (coach) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2017: Cambodian Idol Season 3 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2018: Cambodian's Got Talent Season 2 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2018: The Voice Kids Cambodia (coach) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2018: The Voice Kids Cambodia Season 2 (coach) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2019–2020 Cambodian Idol Junior (judge) Hang Meas HDTV