The fine line between personality and aggression

The rap song "The Bad Karma" has recently attracted millions of online listeners, but does this popularity mean artistic value? Deep raps often make their mark with clever wordplay, sharp arguments, and content that has many positive meanings, not just based on personal attacks. Satire and criticism do not mean swearing or insulting.

Vietnamese culture has produced many works of sharp criticism that still maintain aesthetic value. Even when using strong language, art still needs moderation to avoid turning into a meaningless war of words. Rap ​​lines that startle listeners like "... if I slap you once, you'll have to go to the hospital... your teeth, lips, and eyebrows are all mixed up..." are pushing the aesthetic limit to the level of triviality, even offensiveness.

At the same time, a clip accidentally leaked from an underground playground has sparked another controversy, continuing to expose the dark side of a segment of rap music lovers in Vietnam. Using information about relatives and family to attack an individual not only causes outrage but also leads to legal trouble. This reflects a worrying trend: rappers are increasingly exploiting sensitive information to create effects, regardless of the consequences.

Some veteran rappers say that diss rap can be an interesting lesson in language, reflexes, and creativity. Wordplay, metaphors, and clever comparisons can create engaging repartee, rather than outright attacks. When the attack turns into a weaponizing of someone’s personal life, it’s rude.

Art needs to have limits - that is, respect for the other person and the audience. Creativity must be accompanied by responsibility. Otherwise, art will only be a tool to satisfy personal emotions, leaving behind unnecessary consequences.

Recent controversies – from viral rap to a streamer scandal – have raised the big question: where is the line between freedom of expression and overreach? When hostility overwhelms creativity, a work of art is no longer art but a meaningless war of words, causing the public to gradually lose faith in a music genre with great potential.

Wing Chun

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ranh-gioi-mong-manh-giua-ca-tinh-va-cong-kich-post788931.html