Every once in a while, a Hmong music release comes along that sparks a massive wave of nostalgia while leaving hardcore fans scratching their heads. The latest duet featuring Maiv Lis Thoj and Tsab Yaj is doing exactly that. While the song is undeniably catchy and enjoyable for casual listeners, seasoned fans of classic Hmong cinema and music production can tell that although the female singer is truly Maiv Lis Thoj, the male actor is actually lip-syncing to Vixay Yaj's voice.
Let's untangle the deep history of this melody and look at what is actually happening behind the audio tracking.
The Evolution of a Melody: From Voos Yaj to Somchai Yaj
Longtime followers of the classic era will remember that this powerful track was originally performed by Voos Yaj under the title "Niam Yuav Ncaim Tiag" during his golden years with Herr’s Video Productions.
The song later achieved cinematic status when the iconic Somchai Yaj covered it for the emotional Herr's Video Productions movie soundtrack, Ciaj Tuag Los Yuav Hlub. Somchai’s rendition perfectly captured the raw, tragic weight of the melody.
In this newly surfaced version by Maiv Lis Thoj and Tsab Yaj, both the title and the foundational lyrics have been heavily altered.
The Lip-Syncing Secret: Who is the Real Voice?
If you are listening closely to the male vocals on this track, your ears aren't playing tricks on you. While the music video prominently features the handsome actor Tsab Yaj, the actual vocals blasting through your speakers belong to none other than Vixay Yaj—Somchai’s incredibly talented younger brother!
For fans who adore Tsab Yaj and were hoping to finally hear his definitive solo singing capability, this realization comes as a bit of a disappointment. Tsab Yaj first captured our attention as an amiable, highly charismatic actor in the movie Cia Ua Dab Neeg alongside heavyweights Tsom Xyooj and Xia Yaj. He has massive, undeniable potential in both acting and singing, but unfortunately, we will have to wait for another project to hear his real unfiltered singing voice.
Even with the lip-syncing, the song remains incredibly tolerable simply because Vixay Yaj’s voice is really, really nice. Despite his new chapters in marriage, hopefully Vixay continues to make music and share his vocal gifts with the world.
As for Tsab Yaj, will eagerly be waiting in the wings for the day he drops a track utilizing his own native vocals!
___________________________________________________________________________________Nkauj Iab Nraug Nab - Maiv Lis Thoj & Tsab Yaj (Vixay Yaj)
Girl:
Nim yog xyoo no
Because of this year
Ntuj nis Nraug Nab
Oh heaven, my dear Nraug Nab (a name reference to the handsomest man in Hmong folktales; he’s usually the husband of Nkauj Ntsuab—the most beautiful woman too)
Cas muab tsiab peb caug nim noj tag nrho lawm tiag
The New Year’s celebration is really over (the literal translation is: How come the New Year’s celebration has been eaten already)
Es ntshai koj yuav mus tiag
(I’m) afraid you are really leaving
Koj puas kam tso koj me nplooj siab nrog kuv no nyob
Can you leave a little piece of your heart (liver) to stay with me?
Boy:
Ntuj nis Nkauj Iab
Oh heaven, my dear Nkauj Iab (a name reference to the woman who is the mother of all Hmong offspring in Hmong folktales)
Kuv me neeg zoo
My good person
Ntshe tag kis koj yuav ncaim mus deb heev ntawm kuv
Tomorrow you will leave me to a faraway place
Es koj tsis txhob quaj mog
So don’t cry
Vim luag txeeb koj ntawm kuv mus ua luag tus
Because another (man) has snatched you away from me to be his
Ntshe yuav tsis muaj hnub wb yuav rov los sib cuag
There won’t be another chance for us to meet again
Girl:
Yog ib hnub twg los nag tim koj
If one day it rains over where you are
Tshav ntuj tim kuv
(And it) shines where I’m at
Yog kuv mus deb ntawm koj lawm mog
It’s (because) I have gone far away from you
Ncaim mus ib txhiab ib txhis tsis ntsib koj ntxiv
(I’m) leaving forever with (no hope) of (returning) to meet you again
Nyob tom qab thov nco txog kuv
(With you) staying behind, (please) remember me
Boy:
Ntuj nis nplooj siab
Oh my dear sweetheart
Tus neeg kuv hlub
The person I love
Kuv quaj hu koj puas hnov kuv
I am crying and calling for you, can you hear me?
Thov koj rov los
Please come back
Coj kuv nrog koj mus kiag
Take me with you
Wb tuav tes ua ke rov mus thov dua ntawv
We will walk hand-in-hand to ask for new papers (Hmong people believe that everyone comes to the world with a paper, detailing their fate in life and so if they suffer in this life—whether that be love or poverty or anything, death will allow them to ask for a new paper with a more favorable destiny so that they may have a better reincarnated life)
Mam pib dua tshiab ua txij nkawm nyob ua ke
To start anew as soul mates (so that we will get to) live together
Boy:
Ntuj nis nplooj siab
Oh my dear sweetheart
Tus neeg kuv hlub
The person I love
Kuv quaj hu koj puas hnov kuv
I am crying and calling for you, do you hear me
Thov koj rov los
Please come back
Coj kuv nrog koj mus kiag
Take me with you
Wb tuav tes ua ke rov mus thov dua ntawv
We will walk hand-in-hand to ask for new papers
Mam pib dua tshiab ua txij nkawm nyob ua ke
To start anew as soul mates (so that we will get to) live together
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