Deviant expression in musical activities:

In recent days, many Vietnamese music artists have been "named and shamed" for having compositions, performances, and words that are offensive, contrary to good customs, cultural deviations, and promote a loose lifestyle...

Authorities from central to local levels have simultaneously taken action, demonstrating their determination to rectify and restore discipline in performing activities, guiding artists towards standards as well as bringing about a healthy artistic life.

Singer Jack (right) performed a song with a phrase that was considered vulgar at the Moonlit Childhood music night held on the evening of October 16 in Hanoi, causing many reactions in society. Photo: Quynh Tam

Resolutely handle and rectify

The case that has caused a lot of reactions about deviations in music activities recently is singer Jack (Trinh Tran Phuong Tuan) with a song with a phrase that was considered vulgar in the Moonlit Childhood music night held on the evening of October 16 in Hanoi. After public opinion about the incident, the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports reviewed the entire event and confirmed that this controversial performance was not on the list of licensed performances, and at the same time worked with the organizer and singer to clarify the licensing process as well as the performance content, from which there was a direction for handling.

Also last week, the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) coordinated with the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) to hold a meeting to unify the management viewpoint of "strong rectification" to prevent artists from spreading substandard products.

According to the Director of the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information Le Quang Tu Do, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must strictly rectify and restore order in cyberspace, not allowing offensive and deviant products to spread, causing negative impacts on the community, especially the youth. Artists and key opinion leaders (KOLs) need to be clearly aware of their role as role models, and must demonstrate standards in behavior, speech and creative products. In recent times, the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information has implemented many drastic measures, coordinated with competent authorities, and even had to handle cases at the criminal level to ensure deterrence.

Previously, the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department continuously issued official dispatches to guide and rectify musical activities that show signs of cultural deviation, and at the same time suggested considering not inviting artists with offensive products, behaviors, and statements that go against the city's customs and traditions to participate in events. Besides singer Jack with his performance at the Moonlit Childhood night, other artists were also named, including singer Phao with the song "Career"; rapper Gducky with the song "Moonland"; CLME (Hoang Ton X Andree X Tinle), Jack with the song "Chua bao gio"; Andree with the song "Keo"; Bray x Dat G with the song "Cao oc 207"; HIEUTHUHAI with the song "Trinh"; Andree x Binh Gold with the song "Em iu"... spreading on social networks songs with language and musical expressions that do not conform to customs and traditions, artistic aesthetics, and cultural standards of behavior. This affects the thinking, actions of young people and the public's view of the artist's image.

With the strong and synchronous participation of functional agencies from the central to local levels, many singers and artists have voluntarily made adjustments. After working with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, singer Jack apologized to the audience and announced a temporary suspension of artistic activities, pledging to review and adjust all creative content. Singers Phao, rappers Binz, Gducky, Rocky CDE, 24k.Right, Robber, Dangrangto... have removed MVs and music products with sensitive and controversial lyrics.

Clean up the artistic environment

Following music activities for many years, musician Nguyen Tien Manh, Vice President of the Hanoi Music Association, shared that the current music scene is having remarkable achievements with many art programs and works that have a positive influence on life. However, there are still cases of using tricks that cause scandal, producing offensive music products with shocking lyrics. That is a "musical disaster", negatively affecting the art environment and the aesthetics of young people.

According to musician Nguyen Tien Manh, to build a healthy music environment, there needs to be education and synchronous orientation right from the first foundations, from family, school to society. In addition, producers, show organizers, directors, singers, musicians... play an important role in creating a "cultural filter" for musical life, through selecting, evaluating, orienting and promoting the values ​​of truth - goodness - beauty. The management agency must be more strict with offensive music products that go against good customs, while promoting activities to improve public aesthetics, especially among young people.

From the perspective of the management agency, People's Artist Nguyen Xuan Bac, Director of the Department of Performing Arts (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) commented that an artwork must fulfill the aesthetic and educational functions, conveying positive humanistic values. Offensive expressions in lyrics, costumes, language, and going against traditional customs... must be strictly handled. In the coming time, the Department of Performing Arts will continue to closely coordinate with relevant agencies to both create a legal corridor to encourage creativity and develop the cultural industry, and ensure management so that art develops in the right direction and complies with regulations.

People's Artist Tran Quoc Chiem, Chairman of the Hanoi Literature and Arts Association, said that there should be "many good actions to eliminate bad things". Central and local agencies and units need to proactively organize and encourage healthy artistic programs and activities rich in humanistic values, thereby spreading beauty and goodness to the public. In addition, honoring and encouraging artists with real contributions and products with artistic depth is also a way to arouse trust and creative inspiration in society. When there is a joint effort to nurture and protect a healthy creative environment, Vietnamese art will develop richly, humanely and sustainably.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/bieu-hien-lech-chuan-trong-hoat-dong-am-nhac-chan-chinh-nghiem-huong-toi-tu-giac-721853.html