Confused by TikTok "singers"

From a popular TikToker with over 3.2 million followers on the platform, Tun Pham surprised everyone by announcing his debut as a singer. Tun Pham's first musical product is titled "Tuna Tuna".

Audiences were disappointed.

Originally a dancer, Pham Lich gained attention when she ventured into singing, releasing her debut song "La Anh" (It's You). This is a cover of Mong Nhien's original song, with Vietnamese lyrics. The cover went viral on TikTok, and her music video garnered over 15 million views in a month. "La Anh" rose to prominence thanks to a combination of factors. The chorus became a trend, appearing in many TikTok videos . Naturally, Pham Lich was also sought after by promoters due to the audience's positive reception. However, when she performed live on stage, audiences were disappointed by her vocals, which still had several flaws.

With its catchy and easily recognizable style, TikTok has produced a generation of popular TikTok "singers." Thanks to modern recording techniques, studios can transform an ordinary voice into an exceptional one, and many names are making a living from this technology even if their singing voices aren't particularly special. Some notable TikTok music phenomena include Chu Thúy Quỳnh, Xuân Mạnh, and Choco... who are called singers simply because their songs have become huge hits on TikTok.

Compared to their status as "phenomena" or "idols" on social media platforms, many TikTok singers face mixed reactions when performing live on stage. When Chu Thúy Quỳnh brought her hit songs to the big stage, she disappointed the audience with her less-than-expected vocal performance. Her shaky voice was a stark contrast to the smooth, professional sound of her studio recordings.

Xuan Manh is a popular TikToker (with over 500,000 followers on social media who love his singing) but was eliminated in the very first round of "The Voice 2023".

Hooligan is a name not unfamiliar to young music fans. They rose to fame with songs heavily influenced by Western music, such as "To The Moon" and "A Song for Darling," which were popular with many young people. Most listeners praised Hooligan's accurate English pronunciation and free-spirited singing style. However, when they appeared on stage, Hooligan's real singing voice left many viewers disappointed. The "feel" from the audio tracks was gone, replaced by a voice that was off-key and breathy.

Pham Lich, a TikTok sensation, disappointed audiences when she performed live on stage. (Photo: MINH PHUONG)

Have fun, but don't overdo it.

Public opinion is expressing displeasure, even concern, about the proliferation of online singers with significant gaps in professional skills, many of whom claim to be singers after only a short song on the TikTok platform.

These singers, when they step off the TikTok stage, sound weak and lack stage presence when singing live. According to experts, everyone has the right to sing, make videos, and post them on social media platforms. It's normal for friends to offer polite praise and encouragement. But don't think that just because someone praises you, you have talent. Audiences are fair; those who call themselves singers must truly possess ability.

"There's no 'magic' that can fool the audience forever, so if you want to become a singer, listen to honest advice from professionals. Practice diligently, strive for improvement, and equip yourself with sufficient musical knowledge to become a truly talented and sincere singer," said singer Thuy Dung, lecturer at the Vietnam National Academy of Music.

To be fair, alongside the entertainment-oriented music products on social media, there is still a trend of many musical products by talented vocalists – true vocalists – being well-received, affirming the artists' position with the audience.

Previously, the number of talented singers with good voices and formal vocal training was almost overshadowed by idol artists in the race for viewership, listener numbers on platforms, and top trending positions.

But now, talented vocalists have made breakthroughs with trend-setting songs, such as singer Vo Ha Tram's "Love Journey" project, which is a testament to balancing professionalism and commercial appeal. With diverse performance styles, singer Thu Minh also delivers impressive musical products. The recent investment in musical products by vocalists has enlivened the music market, offering audiences more quality choices.

The success of singers like Thùy Chi, Đen Vâu, Thu Hà, Dương Hoàng Yến, Tiên Tiên, Phan Mạnh Quỳnh, Nguyên Hà, Phùng Khánh Linh, Bùi Lan Hương… and many others is enough to make us believe that true art will always have lasting vitality.

Music is perhaps the most diverse field, where artists have the freedom to choose their own path. Some choose a marketing-driven approach, while others want to offer audiences a pure musical experience. But as always, only core values ​​can retain a long-term audience.

Insiders argue that being a professional singer requires talent, training, and professional integrity. TikTok can only make someone famous with a short clip, but the audience needs to hear the song in its entirety, sung authentically with the singer's voice and emotion.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/van-nghe/hoang-mang-voi-ca-si-tiktok-20230718215522383.htm