Who was Ruthko? Tributes pour in as rising Cambodian rapper passes away in an accident

Modified Jan 06, 2025 06:13 GMT

Cambodian rapper RuthKo passes away in an accident. (Image via Instagram/@ruth.ko_official)

Cambodian hip-hop star David Rithirut aka RuthKo passed away in a hit-and-run accident in Phnom Penh's Meanchey district on January 6. The half-Khmer and half-French rapper was 25. The incident occurred at midnight around 1:20 a.m. while the rapper was riding a motorcycle.

According to witnesses, a Lexus was turning toward Borey Peng Huoth, when it crashed into the artist’s motorcycle. The other vehicle’s driver took flight after the collision but authorities later arrested him and took him to Sangkat Chak Angrae Krom police station for interrogation.

Some fans and witnesses gathered at the scene immediately after the incident and live recordings from the accident surfaced online. In the supposed pictures from the accident spot shared by CTV8 News on Facebook, the front of the white Lexus can be seen completely wrecked with blood stains on it.

In one of the Facebook Lives that went viral, some fans were seen crying in devastation for RuthKo's tragic death as they surrounded his body on the road. As news of his passing made the rounds on social media, fans and other artists began sending their tributes.

Actress and mixed martial artist Tharoth Sam mourned the rapper as she addressed him as her "little brother".

Cambodian YouTuber and singer Chhay Virakyuth wrote:

"It's too early. It's too fast. My brother had a good character, respected his elders, was very capable, had a beautiful appearance, and had everything. How could this world be so unfair? How could he have to face something like this? I am truly sorry and deeply saddened to have lost my good brother. May my brother rest in peace. May the next generation wish you a long life."

Model and content creator Nikki Nikki expressed her shock upon the rapper's untimely death:

"Omg! Rest in peace! This has been your prime year! You're gone way too soon!"

Stylist and creative director Shasne Suleimanova, who had previously worked with the late rapper penned:

"can't believe that, young talented soul bong Ruthko! Glad being younger had an opportunity to work with you! May your blessed soul rest in piece [peace]! I watched so many of your powerful performances, listen to your songs and now ... you won't create it anymore! RIP"

Tributes pour in for the late Cambodian rapper. (Image via Instagram/@nikkinikkimusic, @shasne_su)

Tributes pour in for the late Cambodian rapper. (Image via Instagram/@ruth.ko_official)

Rapper RuthKo was signed under KlapYaHandz

RuthKo, the pioneering rap artist hailed from Battambang, Cambodia. He joined the label KlapYaHandz towards the end of 2018 when he was reportedly 17. The late rapper said in an interview published by LiFTED on March 15, 2023:

"Back then, I was doing Vine on Facebook making people laugh, then SOK Visal, the founder of KYH saw my talent and reached out to me saying we should work together in the future."

His 2022 track Westside earned him viral recognition online. Other tracks including Stay The Same, Change Pt 2, Lotus, OKG, and Brotherhood gained massive views on YouTube. He has over 130K subscribers on the platform.

In a 2022 interview with Gig Life Pro, the late rapper spoke about his collaborative EP Wolves with another KlapYaHandz artist, DJ Chee. The track, which depicts a teenager's journey to adulthood, family issues, finding love, betrayal, and heartbreak, was based on RuthKo's life.

Speaking about the influence of living in the capital city of Phnom Penh, the late hip-hop artist said:

"City life, modernization, and influence from other big countries"

He revealed his first artistic gig was at the club DOS Phnom Penh.

RuthKo also contributed to the Cambodian music industry as a coach on The Rapper Cambodia and Rapper Fighter.

Edited by Bharath S