What Den has achieved in the last 10 years - since his hit song Let me wander - This remains a dream for many rappers currently active in the Vietnamese music market. He created a string of hits and held successful solo concerts even before rap/hip-hop exploded as it has today. Many of Den's old songs are still remembered by heart by audiences to this day.
However, since Despite his previous hits like "Cooking for You ," Den hasn't had another song that could be considered a hit. His released singles have achieved decent results, generating attention upon release. However, that attention largely stems from Den's existing fame rather than the songs themselves, as they quickly lose their momentum and fail to maintain the same long-term success as his previous hits.
Wandering - Den's latest single - is also gradually falling into a similar situation. The song still receives more attention than other releases at the same time, is sought after on social media, but its popularity is declining very quickly, failing to create a trend or make an impression on the general public with any particular segment or lyric.
Black is still Black
In fact, Den has hardly changed his musical philosophy over the years. From his first songs to the present day, Den has maintained the elements that made his name. The lyrics are not overly complex, not heavily rhymed, but focus on expressing reflections and life perspectives. He doesn't use overly sophisticated rap techniques, his flow is simple and often repetitive without much variation; the instruments are basic and rustic, with very little use of electronic sounds. He only focuses on upgrading each element of his music , making it more refined and professional.
As in the song In "Lãng Đãng ," the song's arrangement largely uses acoustic instruments, but Đen invited professional musicians and gave them full credit: piano by Long Nguyễn, Đức Hà Lan, and flute by Sương Mai. The backing vocals were also meticulously crafted, featuring the vocals of Hiền VK, a singer who has collaborated with Đen on several recent projects. Notably, the mastering was handled by international engineer Anna Malee, also known as Anna Trương, the daughter of musician Anh Quân.
The song doesn't use a vocal hook; instead, it's entirely performed by Den, featuring dense rap lyrics. The chorus has a relatively simple melody to suit Den's singing style. The song's content reflects Den's thoughts on life, where he's gradually finding peace and tranquility by connecting with nature: " Now, the joy is so small / Surrounded by grass and trees / Basking in the sunlight / Wind and skin meet in blissful embrace." This warm, healing message has also been expressed by Den in a series of recent works.
Where did the decline come from?
Things Black does in Wandering These are all things that contributed to his previous success. Den's audience has always loved him for his down-to-earth, non-gritty style, always bringing an "old-school" feel to his song delivery instead of chasing the latest hip-hop trends. Den's meticulous attention to detail in this single is also necessary for his current status – he's no longer an underground rapper and needs a quality of production commensurate with his entry into the mainstream .
What has made Den's recent music less of a hit for the public is largely due to a shift in audience preferences. Back when Den first achieved success in 2014-2016, hip-hop rarely entered the mainstream with purely rap tracks; most had to collaborate with other singers to deliver catchy hooks. At that time, Den presented simple, unpretentious music, blending seamlessly with the indie/underground scene of the era, alongside names like Vu, Trang, Ngot, Ca Hoi Hoang, and especially Da LAB, creating a distinct "school" independent of the mainstream but still incorporating contemporary elements accessible to young people. Later, as he continued to achieve success, audiences still cherished Den because he maintained the core values that had been with him from the beginning, avoiding commercialization and remaining a destination for those seeking minimalism.
Currently, the status of rap/hip-hop in particular, as well as the overall landscape of Vpop, has changed. Looking at the two most successful rap/hip-hop tracks on the market right now, they are... 2323 of MCK and Safe zone In B Ray's music, listeners can hear two distinct styles that appeal to young people. Either a truly free-spirited, natural, and uncalculated approach, combined with catchy melodic elements and a production heavily reliant on electronic elements; or a captivating, intelligent storytelling style, employing technical skill, with narratives that aren't overly profound or unique, but prioritize authenticity.
Both MCK and B Ray are rappers with a "real rap" lifestyle and approach to music – something that wasn't welcomed in Vpop in the past but is now highly appreciated. When comparing them to Den – a rapper who pursues a "clean," polished lyric style, without too much skill – the difference is significant.
Furthermore, Den's current reflections are somewhat difficult for young people to "relate" to. If, 10 years ago, his two rap songs... Let's run away together. as Let me wander While Den's music brought a very open, fresh spirit of exploring the world and encouraged young people to "pack their bags and go," fulfilling the essential desires of the public at that time, currently, Den offers more mature reflections, more suitable for his age, but no longer embodying the dominant spirit of youth life.
Den remains the same as he has been for many years; he hasn't lost his edge, and he even strives to refine his work to ensure the final product is clean and of increasingly higher standards. However, the music market is constantly changing. When Den stands still, it means he's outside the cycle of trends, and it's understandable that his performance metrics aren't as good as before.
Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/ly-do-den-vau-bi-danh-bai-3370360.html
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