Interview of Yves BARON the TENOR of MUAY THAI!
Interview of Yves BARON the TENOR of MUAY THAI!
by Serge TRÉFEU (2024)
Serge TRÉFEU: Hello Yves can you introduce yourself to the siamfightmag readers?
Yves BARON: I am a French-Thai singer, originally a lyric singer and it’s a bit of a boxing-opera concept that presented to me for the official demonstration of Muay Thai at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024
How did you get contacted to sing «We Are Muay Thay», the national anthem of this Thai sport?
I sent a C.V. to Thai institutions, it is the first time that I have done this. Because normally what makes me live are more bars, restaurants and events. And it was the Thai institution of Muay Thai that answered me.
So I was selected to sing “We Are Muay Thai”, a hymn that was composed by an Uzbek singer “Sevara Nazarkhan” in 2012. Since its creation, this anthem has been sung only by women. So I had the honour and mission of being the first man to sing “We Are Muay Thai”!
You sang this anthem in front of the international and Thai Muay Thai officials?
Yes, a large number of Muay Thai officials were present in Paris, several representatives of the IFMA (International Federation of Muaythai Associations), the president of the IFMA M. Sakchye Tapsuwan, the general director of the IFMA Charissa Tynan, the Secretary General of IFMA, Mr. Stephan Fox; the President of the French federation FFKMDA, Mr. Nadir Allouache; the marketing director of the Thai tourism office in France, Mr. Prakit Saiporn; and official representatives from Greece, the Emirates, Australia, of the United States, also a royal highness of an Asian country and the Thai Ambassador of France Mr. Sarun Charoensuwan
Do you know any personalities, Muay Thai champions?
I met the champions Cyril Diabaté, Dida Diafat and Youssef Boughanem while doing singing tricks. It is music that has connected me with athletes in the world of combat sports.
I sing all over the world, in France, the USA and Thailand. Cyril and Dida, I met them in France and Youssef in Thailand. They are friends and we see each other now outside of the context of singing or Muay Thai.
Recently in Paris I also met the champion Jean-Charles Skarbowsky.
Did you know they were great champions of Muay Thai before you met them?
I was completely new to the sport. Cyril Diabaté, a stage colleague who sang with me recognized him, and so did Dida, I was singing at an event organized by M6 and someone told me that he was a Thai boxing champion. I discovered long after his career and his famous film on Muay Thai «Chookdee». I also met personalities of the English boxing. They are very interesting people.
The ring is a bit like a music stage, obviously for the boxers it’s a duel where we make a duet. But the boxer and the singer are united in a common point «Performance». In English «performance» means a sporting feat and singing it is something artistic, this word connects our two universes, we must exceed ourselves to reach the public!
What is your specialty as a singer?
I am a Tenor (Man’s voice the most high after the high-against (counter-tenor), a singer who has this type of voice as an opera tenor). Etymologically “Tenor” comes from the French “teneur” which means “the one who holds the notes for a very long time”.
And sportively, the word “tenor” is associated with a crack in the discipline…
Where do you sing in Thailand?
I sing in music bars in Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, mainly at prime time at 8:30 pm, I do not make a very late concert
In Thailand, have you ever seen Muay Thai fights in Bangkok or the provinces?
Not really, my knowledge of Muay Thai was limited to the events «catch tourist» in Pattaya, Koh Samui or Phuket
Have you ever practiced Muay Thai?
It was really small training in Pattaya, what we call «street boxing» with a coach on the street who has no structure or room, there are several in Pattaya…
Muay Thai is accessible to everyone now, this sport is really democratized in Thailand according to you?
Yes, indeed, and we saw it during the Olympic Games in Paris, there was an incredible effervescence around this sport, there were women, families, children who came to attend the Muay Thai events organized by the IFMA.
The IFMA also organized the «Muay Thai For All» which concerns all the handisport department of Muay Thai, it was not represented in Paris but the «Muay Thai For All» is in many events around the world
There were several events during this day dedicated to the demonstration of Muay Thai at the Olympic Games?
The France Muay Thai club was in the Parc de la Villette, the day took place at this place and also at the Olympic House. With Janice (Co-presenter for IFMA) we presented several things, demonstrations, coaches who taught Muay Thai, sparrings, there were also booths. Nearly 300 athletes from all continents were present for these demonstrations!
The Thai icon of Muay Thai Buakaw also gave a demonstration?
Indeed, the champion Buakaw came as ambassador of Thai Muay Thai, he performed a magnificent Ram Muay and Way Khru
Do you know the career of Buakaw who is a national figure in Thailand?
I knew the name but I discovered this great champion only during his fight in 2023 in bare-knuckle (match without gloves) against Saenchai
Was the great French champion Jimmy Vienot present at this event?
Yes exactly
It’s a great experience to have sung the national anthem of Muay Thai at the Olympics, would you like to sing again for such an important event?
Thai Muay Thai is in seduction operation for the Olympic committee, Thais hope to have Muay Thai at the 2032 Olympic Games (JO 2028 Los Angeles, JO 2032 Brisbane). Because it takes at least two Olympiads as a demonstration sport before you can officially join the Olympic Games.
The same adventure for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles would be another great moment for me, moreover, I know this American city well because I lived there two years. If the Thai Muay Thai Committee still brings me in their suitcases, we could do a great show in this city with super American stars. I know a friend who is an agent of American stars, especially hip hop singers like the star Snoop Dogg. Muay Thai could have even greater international impact if it was represented by stars from Los Angeles!
Also, Los Angeles is a city very linked with Thailand, it is nicknamed «the 77th Thai province», it is the city where there are more Thai expatriates in the world. The two cities, Los Angeles and Bangkok, are similar in their nickname, they are called «The City of Angels»!
Did you sing for other Muay Thai events?
I did a speaker for a Muay Thai gala and it’s a very different exercise from the song, you have to place your voice well, also, do animation to motivate the audience, I had already done this animation and I did it again during the events at the Olympics in Paris
Do you want to add something?
Made of sport, Muay Thai, it is a very complete sport. I admire the fighters of this sport and culturally this sport is part of my Thai roots, it is the national sport of my mother’s country!
Thank you for this interview Yves and I wish you «Chookdee» for your future projects!
Thank you very much Serge
Yves Baron, born of a French-Thai mixture, has made a name for himself as “Mondain tenor”. This eclectic-sounding lyric singer received classical training at the Serge Rachmaninoff conservatory, and was discovered by Czech tenor Alexandre Bohr and Russian pianist Irina Kaleda. Through his rigorous learning, he has explored various vocal styles across the English, French, Spanish, Italian and Russian traditions.
Yves Baron has been known for his ability to navigate between genres and interpret various repertoires. He has performed on prestigious stages in France, the USA and Thailand where his talent has been widely recognized. His singular approach and openness to different singing schools have allowed him to become a versatile artist, at ease in both classical recitals and more mundane events.
His French-Thai heritage and international experience give Yves Baron a unique artistic identity, making him a cultural ambassador through his performances in various countries.
Creation of the official Muay Thai anthem:
The Uzbek singer Sevara Nazarkhan, famous for her haunting voice and unique fusion of traditional and contemporary music, created the official song of Muay Thai. Recorded in London, this work embodies the spirit of this ancestral Thai martial art, combining power, determination and respect.
The song was first performed at the 2011 IFMA World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Its depth and strength immediately captivated the organizers. Impressed by the emotional impact of this creation, the International Federation of Muay Thai Amateur (IFMA) quickly adopted the song as an official anthem for the sport.
On 3 April 2012, during a show in Bangkok, the song was officially unveiled as part of IFMA’s campaign to obtain recognition for Muay Thai by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)!
Official Muay Thai Anthem Lyrics:
The science of eight
Standing alone on the battlefield
The promise of peace
The promise of how to defend the weak
Making a vow
To the power of will
Showing our skill
Following through
A fighter who’s true never knows defeat
We are the art of heart and body – Muaythai
Pride and honour we embody – Muaythai
From a father to a son – Muaythai
A spirit stronger than a gun – We are Muay Thai
Through wars and tears
Unarmed but with love we train
Showing no fear
Knowing the years of joy and pain
A hand in a glove
Teaching our children to dare
For one and for all
Standing tall
The art of eight limbs free and fair
We are the art of heart and body – Muaythai
Pride and honour we embody – Muaythai
From a father to a son – Muaythai
A spirit stronger than a gun – We are Muaythai