[Names have been withheld to protect those interviewed from retribution]

Myanmar is currently facing an unprecedented dual crisis - devastating floods and intensified conflict between the ruling military junta and rebel forces. The unfolding events paint a tragic picture of a nation torn apart by both natural and man-made disasters, leaving countless civilians in peril.

In recent weeks, parts of the country, particularly in the south of the Shan State, have been submerged by severe flooding, with many cities underwater. Tragically, 384 people have lost their lives, with 77 still missing. Over 600,000 people have been affected by the floods, and 259,000 hectares of farmland have been severely damaged. Despite the scale of the catastrophe, the response from Myanmar’s junta government has been notably absent, adding to the suffering of the civilian population.

The lack of reliable weather forecasts from the government has left many unprepared for the heavy rains that have swept across the region. As floods ravage towns and villages, basic necessities such as food, clean water, and medical supplies remain in short supply. Many civilians are receiving little to no aid from the military government, sparking growing anger and frustration among the people. For a country already suffering from the economic fallout of the military coup, the floods have only compounded the misery.

The humanitarian crisis is further complicated by ongoing conflict. In the northern part of Shan State, the military junta has suffered defeats at the hands of rebel forces. In response, the junta has resorted to extreme measures, including launching airstrikes on civilian populations. This brutal tactic, aimed at quelling resistance, has led to additional civilian casualties and displacement, exacerbating the already dire situation.

Amid the turmoil, reports of human trafficking have surged, particularly along Myanmar’s border with China. Vulnerable individuals, many of whom have lost their livelihoods due to the floods or the ongoing conflict, are being preyed upon by traffickers. At the same time, fraudulent donation schemes have become a troubling trend, as people attempt to exploit the humanitarian disaster for personal gain. These scams undermine genuine relief efforts, making it even harder for those in need to receive assistance.

For Myanmar’s middle class, the situation is particularly bleak. With the economy in free fall, many people are struggling to earn even a single US dollar for an entire day’s work. Some families are unable to find employment at all, and the demand for goods across various industries has collapsed. The economic hardship is taking a toll on nearly every facet of life, leaving people with few options for survival.

The once-vibrant agricultural sector has been decimated by the floods, with farmers facing massive losses as their crops are washed away. Without government support or effective disaster management, the economic backbone of the country is crumbling. Families who once had stable incomes are now forced to confront the harsh reality of poverty.

The people of Myanmar are facing a catastrophic combination of natural disasters, political violence, and economic collapse. As the death toll rises and the floodwaters show no signs of receding, the international community must turn its attention to the plight of those affected. The lack of an adequate government response, coupled with ongoing conflict, has left millions vulnerable and desperate for assistance.

Myanmar’s current situation is a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of political instability. The failure of the junta to provide basic support for its people in a time of crisis underscores the urgent need for both local and international action. As civilians endure the brunt of the disaster, their stories must not be forgotten.

A Yangon-based artist recently opened up to us about the immense challenges of juggling two demanding careers—one dedicated to his passion for music, and the other driven by the need to provide for his family. As the ongoing economic crisis worsens, the currency’s devaluation has made it increasingly difficult for him to sustain his artistic endeavors. “The value of our currency has dropped so much that completing a single track now takes two or three months," he shared.

What many might dismiss as a trivial issue, for artists like him, is an ongoing battle. Every step forward in the music industry comes at a significant cost, both financially and emotionally.

“In Myanmar, most prominent and well-established artists only collaborate with newcomers once they’ve already achieved a certain level of fame,” he explained. “The industry has become so commercialized that talent alone is no longer enough. If you want to work with a famous artist here, you need money. Many of the big names prioritize financial gain over recognizing genuine talent.”

The artist’s words paint a sobering picture of Myanmar’s creative landscape, where emerging talent is forced to navigate not only artistic challenges but also an economic and social system that undervalues their work. In a world where creativity should flourish freely, the struggle to simply make music has become a daunting reality for those who dream of making their mark.

Music production is a multifaceted process, and for artists in Myanmar, finding the right producer is crucial yet challenging. "One of the most critical aspects of our music production journey is finding a producer who understands and complements our genre," shared a Tachileik-based artist. "Unfortunately, there aren’t enough producers who truly resonate with our musical style."

The scarcity of matching producers often leads artists to take unconventional routes. “In our industry, many of us start by searching for free beats on YouTube. We then build the flow and write lyrics to match the beat before recording in the studio. At this stage, most tracks remain in their raw form with basic vocal mixing,” the artist explained. However, due to financial constraints, some musicians are forced to release these raw versions, unable to afford professional beat production.

For those with the resources, the process continues with the creation of a custom beat, re-recording the vocals, and finishing the track with a polished, final mix. "That’s why having a skilled music producer is so important," he emphasized. A producer can elevate a song from a rough demo to a professional release, making their role indispensable in Myanmar’s music scene.

Another pressing issue in Myanmar's music industry is the lack of qualified recording audio engineers. "There are very few recording engineers in the country, and their expertise is often limited," he continued. "Yet, their role in the music production process is critical, as they ensure the technical quality and clarity of a song."

Amid these production challenges, artists from rural regions, such as those from Tachileik, face additional struggles. Many are dealing with personal difficulties, including family matters and the ongoing civil war crisis, which adds further strain to their creative efforts. Despite these hardships, the dedication and passion of Myanmar's musicians continue to shine through, as they navigate the unique challenges of creating music in their homeland.

Myanmar, a nation rich in diversity with over 100 ethnic groups, faces deep-rooted tensions that stem from a lack of recognition and respect for its cultural mosaic. The Burmese majority, who dominate the country politically and socially, often fail to acknowledge the valuable contributions of these ethnic minorities. This desire for control permeates various sectors, especially in cultural representation, where the ethnic groups’ voices are silenced or sidelined.

Peace in Myanmar remains elusive, largely due to the ongoing friction between the central government and its ethnic populations. These minority groups are often denied the right to celebrate and preserve their languages and traditions, stifled under the oppressive rule of a government that pushes for a homogenized national identity. The state's authoritarian grip ensures that any form of ethnic expression is swiftly shut down, reinforcing a narrative that denies these communities the freedom to exist as they are.

Many of these tensions trace back to the long-standing efforts of the Burmese military to impose their culture and ideology on the country's ethnic minorities. Groups like the Karen, Chin, Kachin, and Arakanese have historically been marginalized and, in some cases, stripped of their original identities. The government frequently labels these groups as "Burmese," erasing their distinct cultural identities, and suppresses their attempts to reclaim their heritage. For instance, when ethnic communities try to promote their traditional customs, they face severe restrictions and censorship in the name of national unity.

From the early days of Myanmar's history, the Karen people were among the first to recognize the threat of cultural erasure and militarized themselves against Burmese expansion. Today, the ethnic minority groups continue to struggle under a system that denies them basic rights, such as official identification cards, which are reserved for the majority Burmese population. This institutionalized discrimination has laid the groundwork for decades of conflict.

The situation worsened in 2021 when the government sparked religious conflict as a means to divide the population further. Burmese society has been indoctrinated to view ethnic minorities not as fellow citizens, but as enemies. This manufactured division has only deepened the nation’s crisis, keeping the dream of a peaceful, inclusive Myanmar out of reach.

Being an artist in Myanmar’s music industry is vastly different from most parts of the world. There are no official YouTube channels, streaming services, or platforms for artists to freely showcase their work. Musical expression is tightly controlled, with every song subject to government review to ensure it aligns with the regime’s approved narrative.

Artists in Myanmar face extreme restrictions on their creative freedom. If their music does not reflect the government’s ideologies, they risk severe consequences, including imprisonment. One notable example is the case of Byuhar, a popular artist who was arrested just an hour after making a social media post critical about the government. His story highlights the harsh reality of censorship and repression that Myanmar’s musicians endure daily.