Singer Xy Lee brought Hmong music to millions. Mass shooting left his home ‘all quiet’
The Fresno home Xy Lee shared with his parents and siblings was always filled with the sound of his music.
His family now remembers his singing and keyboard and guitar playing from a heartbreaking new normal: A home where his instruments lay dormant.
They’ve played his music videos – which have been watched millions of times on YouTube by fans around the world – every day since the 23-year-old was killed in last week’s mass shooting in the city, but it hasn’t eased their grief.
“We see him smiling in the video but not in real life,” his 21-year-old sister, Kaonor Lee, said tearfully Tuesday night, “so it totally breaks our hearts.”
Brother Kou Lee, 31, said Xy’s death “took a piece of my heart away.”
The Nov. 17 mass shooting killed another musician, guitar player Phia Vang, along with Kalaxang Thao and Kou Xiong. Another Hmong singer, JN Vang, was among six others wounded.
Xy performed songs he wrote in Hmong at numerous concerts, including the annual Hmong New Year celebrations in Fresno, which begin next month.
Kou described his brother’s Hmong music akin to slow, country love songs. Xy often performed sharply dressed, donning a bow tie and suspenders.
The international star made much of his music from his bedroom – a small room with bare white walls, metal security bars across a window, a couple mattresses, and his instruments.
He was humble, kind, hard-working, loving, and very supportive of his family and community, his family said.
Xy taught himself how to play guitar around the age of 8. Kou said everyone fell in love with his brother’s talent.
“He never had a teacher. … He was born with a gift,” Kou said.
His instruments now lay untouched. His family doesn’t know how to play them.
Xy used the money he earned playing music to support his parents, who don’t currently have jobs, and Kou and Kaonor, college students who work part-time. Another sister in the country lives out of the state.
Kaonor set up a PayPal account where people can make donations to help their family. Donations can also be made through family members’ Facebook pages.
Fresno leaders made a GoFundMe donation account to help all the families of those killed in the shooting.
A traditional Hmong funeral service will be held for Xy on Dec. 14, 15 and 16 at the Fresno Fairgrounds.
Xy came to the United States with his parents, Xai Pao Lee and Chong Xiong, and three of his siblings when he was 14 years old. Two older brothers remained in Laos.
Xy lived in Long Beach with his family until last year, when they moved to Fresno to help Xy’s music career, since the city has one of the nation’s largest Hmong American communities.
Xy wanted to open a music recording studio in Fresno, and was previously a student at Fresno City College.
There is a $56,000 reward available through Crime Stoppers for information leading to an arrest in the shooting that killed Xy and the others.
“I just want justice for him,” Kou said, “because without him it’s very hard for my parents, for us. … I think some people might think the shooting was gang-related but I don’t think my brother even knew the word of ‘gang.’ He was such a loving person that everyone wanted to be friends with.”
His sister said many of his friends were fellow musicians and all “good people, too.”
“He loved everyone,” Kaonor said, “and everyone loves him.”
Reward
Anyone with information/tips toward this case must come through the Valley Crime Stoppers tip line or website to qualify for the reward or a portion of the reward if multiple tips help toward an arrest. Call 559-498-STOP or visit or download the P3 app.
