Chuyện nóng: Khi lời ca 'lệch nhịp' | VTV24

Key Concepts:

• Lệch chuẩn (Deviant/Non-standard): Refers to lyrics, content, or behavior that deviates from established cultural norms, moral standards, and societal expectations.
• Chuẩn mực (Norms/Standards): Societal expectations and accepted behaviors, values, and beliefs.
• Hưởng thụ thiếu lành mạnh (Unhealthy hedonism): A lifestyle focused on excessive pleasure-seeking and material gratification without regard for well-being or societal impact.
• Gai góc (Edgy/Raw): A characteristic of art, particularly rap, that is bold, unconventional, and often reflects harsh realities.
• Phản cảm (Offensive/Repugnant): Content that is considered vulgar, indecent, or morally objectionable.
• Underground: Music or artists operating outside the mainstream market, often with a more raw or experimental style.
• Mainstream: Music or artists that are widely popular and commercially successful.
• View (Views): A metric on online platforms indicating the number of times a piece of content has been watched, often used as a measure of popularity and engagement.
• Thuần phong mỹ tục (Fine customs and aesthetics): Traditional Vietnamese cultural values and aesthetic principles.
• Battle/Dissing: A subgenre within rap where artists engage in lyrical combat, often with aggressive or insulting language.

Summary:

This video discusses the growing controversy surrounding "deviant" song lyrics in Vietnam, which are accused of promoting unhealthy lifestyles and negatively impacting society, particularly the youth. The discussion highlights the tension between artistic freedom and societal cultural norms, questioning whether music has become a tool for shock value and gaining views rather than an expression of the soul.

The Evolution of "Deviant" Content and Societal Norms

The issue of "deviant" lyrics is not new. In the 2000s, with the rise of the internet, "nhạc chế" (parody music) and rap music began to appear in Vietnam. These songs often contained vulgar language, slang, and references to stimulants. However, during that era, such content was largely confined to underground channels like USB drives, pirated CDs, and private online forums. This inherent secrecy, the speaker argues, helped shape a sense of what was considered "standard" or acceptable, as content that couldn't be openly enjoyed was implicitly understood as not being a norm.

The current situation is contrasted with the past, where children can openly sing vulgar lyrics in front of their parents, and such songs are performed on stages with tens of thousands of attendees. This shift prompts the question of whether the concept of societal norms has changed and necessitates a societal response to recalibrate these standards.

Regulatory Response and Concerns

Regulatory bodies, including the Department of Radio, Television and Information and the Department of Performing Arts, have publicly addressed this issue. Notably, a meeting on October 27th mentioned a singer, identified by the initial "J," whose performance at a music festival in Hanoi in mid-October was deemed to have inappropriate lyrics. These lyrics were described as containing vulgar slang and boastful, self-satisfied statements.

A representative from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that content negatively impacting the community, especially youth online, needs strict handling to restore order and ensure a safe and healthy online environment. While regulations exist, the speaker believes they lack sufficient enforcement. The ministry is actively researching and proposing mechanisms for more appropriate management. Performances or songs deemed offensive will be dealt with severely.

The Double-Edged Sword of Technology and Rap Music

The explosion of technology and the internet has made music more accessible but has also removed filters for listeners. Anyone can become an artist, and any song can be uploaded with a click. This accessibility has also brought negative consequences to music development, particularly in the rap genre.

The video outlines three phases of rap music development in Vietnam:

1. Early 2000s: Rap was primarily underground, existing independently of the market but with a strong community.
2. 2010s: More rap songs catered to mainstream tastes, with both underground and mainstream rap coexisting.
3. 2020s to Present: A boom period for rap, fueled by reality TV shows and talent competitions. Rap has become a mainstream phenomenon, blurring the lines between underground and mainstream.

This transition from underground to mainstream has led to a negative side effect: some rappers prioritize shock value and "view-grabbing" elements over lyrical content. Furthermore, many listeners may not fully understand rap culture and mistakenly equate it with vulgarity or aggression.

Artist Explanations and Audience Perception

In response to criticism, the management of one rapper explained that certain lyrics were intended as satire against accusations of the rapper "losing their essence" and that rap music should be "edgy" and even "vulgar." While the validity of this explanation is not debated, it highlights a perception among some audiences that vulgarity and stimulants are inherent to rap.

The video acknowledges that rap has its own raw and gritty characteristics. However, moving from underground to mainstream means rap cannot escape the norms of a civilized society. The "edgy" aspects should be reserved for an audience that understands how to appreciate them.

A rapper shared their perspective on "battle dissing," a common element in rap where artists engage in lyrical combat. They suggested that managing this content is difficult on public platforms and proposed that such content might be more suitable for exclusive, member-only platforms. They cautioned against outright prohibition, which could stifle the vitality of Vietnamese rap.

The speaker notes that five years ago, explicit language like "mày tao" (you/I, very informal and potentially disrespectful) and overly aggressive lyrics were not permitted on stage. However, in the past year, lyrics expressing excessive ego and arrogance, often termed "breaking flex," have become openly used in performances for tens of thousands of people. This has drawn the attention of regulators, who believe artists have gone too far.

Towards a Cleaner Online Space and Shared Responsibility

The video emphasizes that society is becoming more civilized and moving towards a safer, cleaner online space. Song lyrics must align with this development. Even in the United States, the birthplace of rap, there are clear regulations for lyrics. Songs with sensitive content require warning labels, sensitive words are censored on radio and television, and performances are restricted at large events.

In Vietnam, to prevent lyrics from becoming "deviant," a collective effort is needed from regulatory bodies, artists, and the audience.

Legal Framework and Artist's Dilemma

According to Decree 144/2020/ND-CP on performance activities, artists are prohibited from using language, images, or actions that violate fine customs and aesthetics or negatively impact social psychology. Despite this clear regulation, artists often grapple with the fine line between innovation and offensiveness.

There is a desire for a committee or unit to review songs before release, determining which can be widely disseminated, which should be restricted to certain platforms, which should have age ratings (e.g., 18+ or 16+), and which are suitable for large-scale events. Such a mechanism would provide clarity for regulators and allow artists to create while maintaining their artistic integrity.

The Challenge of Digital Distribution and Audience Influence

Controlling music distribution on global digital platforms is nearly impossible. Bans and deletions are temporary solutions. Therefore, fostering artists' awareness of their responsibility is crucial, and this is significantly influenced by audience attitudes.

Achieving desired outcomes requires collaboration. Audiences need to elevate their aesthetic appreciation, critical listening skills, and socio-political awareness to engage with higher-quality content.

The video suggests that audience rejection, withdrawal of sponsorship, and exclusion from major stages can be more deterrent than any legal penalty.

Proactive Measures and a Strong Message

The Propaganda and Mobilization Department of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee has issued a directive to relevant agencies to consider not inviting artists with compositions, behaviors, or performances that violate fine customs and aesthetics to city events and festivals. This initiative is welcomed and supported, with plans to replicate it nationwide.

This sends a strong message to celebrities and influential artists: online presence does not grant the freedom to say anything without responsibility for one's words, statements, or creations.

Conclusion: Freedom with Responsibility

While creativity is essential, freedom is not limitless. A song can evoke emotions or harm cultural values. Ensuring that lyrics remain "in tune" with societal progress is not solely the artist's responsibility but a shared duty for a society that knows how to listen.