It all started when a reality show contestant was accused of having an affair with a married celebrity.
PG One, winner of the reality TV show, Rap of China, received a flurry of criticisms from Chinese state media and the Communist Youth League, who used the opportunity to call out his morals and lyrical content, saying his music was “vulgar and in low taste”.
The criticisms quickly picked up speed, and were used disrepute hip-hop more broadly.
data-lang=”en”>
#Opinion: WANG HAO, a hip-hop singer known as #PGOne by his fans, has provoked public outrage because some of his lyrics encourage people to take drugs and are degrading of women. https://t.co/5A4bDOf9mL
— China Daily (@ChinaDailyUSA) January 8, 2018
data-lang=”en”>
Chinese rapper #PGOne criticized by Communist Youth League and netizens for ‘teaching youth to use drugs and insulting women’ in new single #China #hiphop pic.twitter.com/7lCq0KLv1A
— joyce siu (@joycesiu_) January 5, 2018
A memo leaked from state authorities outlined China’s position on the hip-hop movement:
“Do not use celebrities with low moral values; do not use those who are vulgar and of low taste; do not use those whose thoughts and style are not refined; and do not use those who are involved in scandals.”
A lot of young Chinese rappers are now facing “pressure from above”.
Mainstream hip-hop artist like GAI have changed their attitudes in order to remain on mainstream state programs.
Check out one of his tracks below.
Get political – Check out the wittiest signs from the Women’s March.
