The music video of Club le Mubbule , by Chennai-based underground band, Hip hop Tamizhan which is a tongue-in-cheek comment about women who visit clubs has become hugely popular since its release on a radio station last year. However, the song and its video has also been criticised for being judgemental and sexist.
Adhi, the man behind the lyrics responded to initial criticism by saying that the song was penned six years ago, when he had a different mindset. The track, however, became the hit single which leveraged the popularity of the album, prompting the release of the much talked about music video this month. Ironically, the video which makes a comment against women drinking was co-sponsored by Remy Martin, a brand whose main product is Cognac.
Sofia Ashraf, the lyricist and rapper of Chennai-based Peter Kaapi , has responded with her own video which began the online protest to retract the original. According to her, the song is not only disrespectful to women but also an insult to rap music which began as a medium of subversion.
“I agree there are worse forms of chauvinism, but because music has the power to influence and given that their fans are mostly youngsters, he has a huge responsibility,” she says.
Hip hop Tamizhan is, however, taking things in their stride.
“Hip hop is about self expression and opinions so such controversies are only natural. The song was intended as a fun number and most people like it because the lyrics are witty. We also sings about social causes like education and individual identity,” says Adhi.
“Every album needs a hit single to sell it. That’s why we had to include it in the album. It is a purely commercial number.”
Following the criticism, the band has released an apology video called Senthamil Gal. Responding to whether the song may propagate narrow minded views among its listeners Adhi says, “I ask those who disagree with the song to listen to the entire album, we have included a skit called ‘Cheap Popularity’ which addresses the issues people have with the song.”
Apart from its content, the video release comes at a time when images of the brutal molestation of a young woman outside a club in Guwahati are still fresh in the minds of many.
“The song offers a platform for many people to say things like this. Normally I would have let it go but after Guwahati I realised that this ‘Let it be’ attitude is giving rise to a society that thinks it’s all right to pull up women for going to clubs,” says Sofia explaining , explaining the need to nip such ideas in the bud.
