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Rap Diss Goes Too Far: Is Dế Choắt Crossing the Line?
🇻🇳 Vietnam /Culture & Society

Rap Diss Goes Too Far: Is Dế Choắt Crossing the Line?

From Tuổi Trẻ · (11m ago) Vietnamese Critical tone

Translated from Vietnamese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Vietnamese rapper Dế Choắt has released a new track, "Một sao (Trình ba chấm)," which contains harsh personal attacks and profanity directed at fellow rapper HIEUTHUHAI.
  • Critics argue that Dế Choắt has crossed the line from artistic "diss culture" into personal vilification, using aggressive language and naming names.
  • The article questions whether Dế Choắt's actions align with the spirit of "underground" hip-hop or if they represent a misinterpretation of artistic freedom, potentially harming the growing Vietnamese rap scene.

The Vietnamese hip-hop scene is abuzz, and not entirely for positive reasons, following the release of Dế Choắt's latest track, "Một sao (Trình ba chấm)." This new offering has pushed the boundaries of what is considered acceptable within the 'diss' culture, moving beyond artistic critique into what many perceive as direct, personal attacks and gratuitous profanity aimed squarely at fellow artist HIEUTHUHAI, particularly at a time when HIEUTHUHAI has just released a new album. This development has sparked a heated debate about the true nature of rap battles and artistic expression in Vietnam.

rap đâu phải HIEUTHUHAI mà cà hẩy

— Dế ChoắtA line from Dế Choắt's track, translated as 'Rap isn't HIEUTHUHAI, so don't act so smug,' directly targets another artist.

What was once a space for showcasing lyrical prowess, wordplay, and stage presence has, according to critics, devolved into something far more toxic. The article points out that even in the most famous international rap battles, the line between skill-based competition and personal assault is often debated. However, Dế Choắt's relentless naming of colleagues, dismissal of mainstream rap, and use of vulgar language are seen as less about artistic merit and more about inciting division and generating controversy. This approach risks alienating audiences and fostering negative fan interactions, overshadowing the musical talent involved.

đừng có diễn như Đen Vâu

— Dế ChoắtAnother line from the track, implying 'Don't act like Đen Vâu,' criticizes the style of a popular mainstream rapper.

There's a concerning trend where the 'underground' spirit is being misinterpreted as a license for unchecked aggression and personal offense. While the underground scene often champions rebellion, it doesn't inherently mean a disregard for basic decency or respect. Many successful Vietnamese artists, like Đen Vâu and Binz, have transitioned from underground to mainstream without sacrificing their integrity or resorting to hateful rhetoric. As hip-hop becomes increasingly integrated into Vietnam's popular culture and influences its youth, artists bear a greater responsibility for the impact of their words. Dế Choắt's latest track, filled with vulgarity and personal attacks, raises serious questions about artistic responsibility and the future direction of rap music in Vietnam, moving away from genuine artistic debate towards destructive personal feuds.

Nếu là Hiếu tao làm trong túc tắc

— Dế ChoắtA phrase suggesting 'If I were Hiếu (HIEUTHUHAI), I'd do it quietly,' belittling the other rapper's actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tuổi Trẻ in Vietnamese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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