After offending capital, my songs became more and more popular.

Chapter 96 Paying Tribute to the Martyrs (from "Little River Flowing 1952")

"The scouts said that behind that snow-capped mountain were guns, cannons, and tanks..."

"I've felt anxious countless times..."

"I remember when my sister was little, she asked me why I didn't choose to be a bystander when joining the army was such a difficult experience?"

"The man suffered poverty from a young age and knows all too well how hard-won this peace is..."

"If it weren't for the People's Army, where would our family have the money to burn firewood and cook rice?"

……

Yao Shuli sang beside him, while Shen Mingen held the microphone and stared sharply at the camera. At this moment, his usual frivolousness disappeared from his face, replaced by remembrance of his predecessors and the purest tribute!
"No, this sounds like..."

"Oh my, don't say that..."

“*&%￥#@…”

Many audience members listened to his lyrics, looked at each other in confusion, and discussed them privately. Gradually, they began to understand the meaning of the song and figured out what it was about!
【oh……】

In the adjacent online live stream room, the barrage of comments on the screen was also scrolling wildly.

This sounds a bit like... a soldier's letter home?

Calm down, bro. Remove the "similar," and it's totally the same!

So, is this song a tribute to the heroic martyrs who fought during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea?

Oh... when you put it that way, it really resonates!

Oh! No wonder there was a panting sound while walking on the snow in that intro...

[Attention to detail! Hakim, you're incredibly observant!]

[Hakim: ...You're the one who's skinny, your whole family is skinny!]

……

"Oh!!!"

After realizing the content of Shen Ming'en's rap-style song, whether out of respect for the martyrs or out of admiration for Shen Ming'en's renewed success, the audience couldn't help but cheer.

To be fair, Shen Ming'en's rendition of "Little River Flowing 1952" in this episode was truly something special, especially the intro with its sounds of footsteps and panting, which initially seemed unappealing to many already subdued audience members...

What disappointed them back then, now seems like a pleasant surprise!

Don't believe me? Look at Haji Ling on the high platform.

“Ber, this…” Hajiling was completely dumbfounded by Shen Ming'en’s performance, which was at a normal level. She stared at him for a long time before finally managing to utter a sentence: “So, his intro was the sound of our predecessors walking through the snow and ice on their way to fight the epidemic?!”

It was a heavy snowfall, with each step sinking three feet into the snow; it was walking all day, hungry and without even a cotton coat to keep warm; it was that almost desperate belief that, knowing their frail bodies could hardly withstand the planes and guns behind the mountain, they still chose to fight for the bright future of their motherland and for their descendants!
Before Ma Ling knew the song's title and content, she could have easily mocked Shen Ming'en's background music in the intro from a commercial perspective. But now, knowing the song's background theme...

If you ask her, would she still dare to laugh at you?!
If anyone dares to laugh, believe it or not, someone right here in the control room will slap her twice!

……

"At the bottom of the valley, I often dream of my sister singing, her face beaming with a smile like a crescent moon..."

"So I'm afraid, I'm afraid that the incendiary bombs that hit CX will tear the clouds over my hometown tomorrow."

"Every time I think about this, I can't stop the tears from flowing!"

"I will give my life and my flesh to protect your voice!"

……

While outsiders were awestruck by the song, its content, and its profound meaning, Shen Ming'en's performance continued. His face was solemn and dignified, even though the person he was singing on stage with was Yao Shuli, even though the two of them were a hugely popular "Mingli CP" online, even though a casual display of affection on stage could garner a massive amount of attention...

But Shen Ming'en still didn't choose to do those things at this time.

Because of the theme of this song, he wasn't allowed to do it that way...

When the topic of "rap" for the new episode of the Chinese Music Awards came out, Shen Ming'en had a lot of options, to be honest. There are quite a few patriotic songs in the rap style, and many rappers in his world are not stupid and know to pay tribute to the motherland...

Why choose a song like "Little River Flowing 1952" when it doesn't have any advantages in terms of singing style, doesn't even have much deliberate rhyming, and is completely unsuitable for stage competition?

The answer is simple: Shen Ming'en believes that those heroic predecessors who sacrificed their lives for the country must be honored in this way!

Let everyone remember!

Celebrities have traffic and popularity. Right now, no matter what Shen Mingen does, even if he just goes to the restroom on the street, people will be watching him all the time...

Shen Ming'en felt that as someone who could generate buzz, he should remind everyone of the contributions made to us by our predecessors!
Everything wonderful that we enjoy today is the result of the hard work of our ancestors!
You can forget anyone, but you must never forget your parents, your country, or your heroic ancestors!
……

"The moon comes out, shining brightly~ shining brightly~"

"Ah~"

"The moon comes out, shining brightly~ shining brightly~"

……

Yao Shuli's high-pitched yet soaring voice rang out, so ethereal that many audience members couldn't help but get goosebumps.

Her excellent timbre and singing skills were certainly one aspect, but another was Shen Mingen's rapping parts, which were just so well-executed...

His line, "I will surely use my life and flesh to protect your singing voice," was immediately followed by the ethereal line, "The moon comes out and shines brightly," which couldn't be more fitting!
【Aaaaaah!!!】

Many viewers in the online live stream couldn't help but shed tears; they were completely moved!
This is the stage effect...

Just look at Shen Ming'en's eyes, his demeanor, and his respect and remembrance of the martyrs on stage...

you say!

Do you, production team, dare to eliminate him?!

"Fuck...fuck!"

Ma Ling was so angry that she kept shouting the name of a plant!
yes……

Who dares to eliminate Shen Ming'en, who portrayed the character in "Little River Flowing 1952"? Who can eliminate him?!

Sometimes, Ma Ling really couldn't help but admire Shen Ming'en...

In other words, sometimes this kid finds angles that are just outrageous and bizarre!
Just like the previous performance of "The Lone Warrior" as a tribute to firefighters, and this performance of "Little River Flowing 1952" as a tribute to our heroic predecessors...

He has really stopped praising the country lately, and instead has started paying tribute to these people!

Although the musical style wasn't as grand and majestic as when it sang praises of the beloved motherland, but...

That musical style, however, perfectly suited the person he wanted to praise!
And the people he praises, like the motherland, are sacred and inviolable!

Just like praising the motherland, anyone who dares to eliminate her will suffer the unanimous punishment of the country and the people!

Ma Ling never expected this...

She truly never expected that even though she had set the topic as "rap," Hajime would still be able to write a song that became incredibly popular!
Weird!
That's invincible!
……

"In the spring of 1952, she had just undergone a simple operation..."

"When the journey home comes, I may have to rely on Ziming to carry me on his back..."

"This grown man couldn't hold back his tears again today..."

"The instructor sacrificed himself, his blood flowing into the wind right before my eyes."

"The team that rushed up the hill at that moment was a hundred times more crowded than usual, because the instructor's voice still lingered in every inch of the surrounding air..."

There has never been a savior, nor a god or emperor.

"I instantly forgot the pain from the bullet holes in my body..."

"The man was once a muddle-headed soldier; he never thought of risking his life for anyone..."

"Until I saw the people of China groaning in sorrow and suffering."

"And the new China was just beginning to experience a semblance of peace..."

"I can't help but realize what a burden I bear on my shoulders..."

"Yes, the light of the red star will surely illuminate the entire valley."

"At that time, I will wear that big red flower and roll down the car window..."

"Look at the moon over Erhai Lake in the distance, there must be a girl singing for me."

……

From "Autumn 1951" to "Spring 1952," the passage of time and the narrative style of family letters from that era—every word seems to carry a heavy sense of history, enveloping every Chinese person listening to this song.

Bullet holes, pain, the instructor's sacrifice, the soldiers' heartbroken and bloodthirsty expressions—many images seemed to be vividly conveyed to the listeners' minds through Shen Ming'en's singing…

Shen Ming'en's singing wasn't particularly energetic, and his melody remained consistent, but the background story in the lyrics continued to unfold. At this moment, even the most energetic melody couldn't compare to the "storytelling" in the lyrics.

What the eyes see is never as poignant as what the mind imagines!
So……

Whether it was the audience at the scene, the netizens watching the show in the live broadcast room next door, or the singers and crew members backstage, everyone couldn't help but feel a lump in their throat and felt like they were about to burst into tears.

……

"The moon comes out, shining brightly~ shining brightly~"

"Ah~"

"The moon is out, shining brightly!"

……

As the song deepened with emotion, to be honest, many people initially thought Yao Shuli's singing style was a bit...vulgar?

Indeed, folk singing style does not have as wide an audience as pop music, nor is it as popular among young people, and it is easily perceived as "vulgar".

However, no one can deny that ethnic singing styles are inherently difficult and have a high barrier to entry, but they also possess a unique charm.

In Shen Ming'en's "Little River Flowing 1952", Yao Shuli's singing style, which was initially called "vulgar" by some young and impetuous audiences, becomes very fitting and harmonious as the song's emotions build up, and it really gives you goosebumps!

Although the long rap lyrics don't use any deliberate double or single rhymes, each line ends by mentioning the "singing" element of the song.

"Sister" is the person the protagonist in the story wants to protect at all costs.

Her singing voice and the bright future of the new China were the greatest driving force that supported him in his all-out charge!
And at this moment...

The sister's singing voice and the brother's family letters seemed to come to life.

That moment...

Everything was so shocking and so deeply moving.

At that moment, as the director's camera panned across every audience member listening to the song, you would see a glimmer in the eyes of many people—those were tears, the light reflected in their tears.

……

"Winter Solstice, 1952..."

“Sister, it’s been five years since we parted, and you’ve never complained about me…” “Now, I probably can’t apologize to your face anymore…”

"The sky was filled with warplanes bombing overhead, and only three of my comrades survived..."

"Even if I am shattered to pieces, I will never abandon this position..."

"Though I am a staunch materialist, I also long to embrace you again in the next life..."

"If time could turn back, I would want the clock to move slower..."

"At Taiji Pass, perhaps I can catch a few more glimpses of you..."

"Sister, the sorghum fields in CX are just as beautiful as our hometown..."

"A gentle breeze caresses the stream, and clouds swirl around the mountains like emeralds..."

"I tucked that red flower into the letter for you, hoping it won't wither..."

With you in my life, I have no regrets.

"May there be world peace, and no more tears!"

"Long live the new China!"

……

"The moon comes out, shining brightly~ shining brightly~"

"Ah~"

"I'm like the moon, walking in the sky~ walking in the sky~"

"Brother~ Brother~ Brother~"

……

This concludes the entire work.

A song, a few verses, even if it uses the most extensive rap style, cannot fully interpret the story of our ancestors.

But it is enough to make people remember that history and to inspire their patriotism.

After the ethereal singing faded away...

"..."

The scene was initially quiet.

After Shen Ming'en and Yao Shuli bowed to the audience to signify the end, the audience finally realized that their performance had come to a close.

After a while...

People gradually stood up and raised their hands...

"Clap clap clap..."

applaud.

This was spontaneous and unanimous, because many people at the scene subconsciously stood up and applauded without looking at anyone else, and there was no "following the trend" phenomenon at all.

I was truly moved and deeply touched by this song.

God knows how shocked everyone was when Shen Ming'en rapped "Long live the new China!"
In the adjacent online live stream room, the chat was absolutely flooded with comments!

Not only was the phrase "Long live the new China" practically everywhere, but the comments section also featured comments like: "This isn't 'The Rap of China,' this is 'New China Rap'!"

What is rap?

Perhaps because there are too many idiots shouting and yelling, arguing with everything and everyone, or even resorting to last-minute cramming, people subconsciously think that "rap," especially "Chinese rap," must be a bunch of low-class stuff that's cringeworthy and garbage to listen to...

But today, Shen Ming'en seems to be refreshing every audience member's understanding of "Chinese rap" with his actions.

Let everyone know that Chinese rap can be really high-class!
Shen Ming'en's song "Little River Flowing 1952" uses a spoken word style throughout. To be honest, you can't hear anything sophisticated about it. In fact, if you compare it with the double rhymes and single rhymes in the rap circle, you'll think this song is... so weird!
It's a bit... a hybrid of two worlds.

Strictly speaking, Shen Ming'en's singing style is similar to that of his predecessors who weren't good at rapping; it's more like reading a textbook...

But for some reason, when you listen to him sing, you don't feel out of place at all; instead, you feel a sense of being moved by his singing.

No one denies that Yao Shuli's vocal background played a crucial role, and it's undeniable that the song's content was very captivating...

But Shen Ming'en's singing always gives people a sense of something special.

You know what I mean?

This strangeness wasn't just heard by the audience and fans; many haters also noticed it.

Sometimes we really have to admire these haters. They actually managed to come out and smear Shen Ming'en right after he finished singing "Little River Flowing 1952," when he was so popular and his performance was so impactful.

What are they saying in the comments section...?

What is this? Is this rap?

[It doesn't rhyme at all, it doesn't harmonize at all, is this what you call rap?]

[It feels like there's not even a single rhyme...]

[The song lyrics are good, but it's a pity the songwriter can't write a song at all. If my son had written this, I feel it would be a hundred times better!]

……

They don't deny the content or meaning of your song, but they pick on the flaws you can find, like nitpicking, which is similar to Shen Ming'en's statement, "I suggest you buy it, but I don't suggest you use it."

In the control room, Ma Ling, who was initially furious because Shen Ming'en's performance of "Little River Flowing 1952" was of high quality and had a stunning effect on the show, and who knew that she would not be able to eliminate Shen Ming'en this time either, suddenly caught a glimpse of the live broadcast chat in the distance out of the corner of her eye...

My eyes lit up immediately!
"Clap clap clap..."

At that time, in the control room, under the leadership of Director Niu, everyone was cheering and applauding for Shen Ming'en.

To be honest, if we were to say who Shen Ming'en's biggest fan is on set, it would definitely be Director Niu!
Director Niu was truly impressed by Shen Ming'en to the point of complete admiration!

From the bel canto version of "Me and My Motherland," to the operatic version of "Wanjiang," the Cantonese version of "The Great Wall Will Never Fall," and now the rap-themed "Little River Flowing 1952"...

Tell me, what style is there that Hakeem can't do?

This kid is truly invincible!

Even the lowest tier of the music industry's hierarchy of disdain, rap, can be sung by him in such a thought-provoking way that even Director Niu wants to say on Shen Ming'en's behalf, "Who else can do this?!"

But it was at this moment...

While everyone in the control room was cheering and jumping for joy.

Suddenly, Hajiling, who was standing nearby, blurted out, "His song... doesn't feel like rap, does it?"

Hear the words.

"..."

Everyone was stunned.

Then, strange expressions appeared on their faces.

Most people, upon hearing this, genuinely didn't know how to refute it. After all, while Shen Ming'en's "Little River Flowing 1952" was powerful, thought-provoking, and rich in meaning...

But to be fair, its style is quite different from ordinary rap songs.

He has almost none of those "technical skills" that are always on that rap show next door, such as double rhymes, single rhymes, and skip rhymes. He uses a spoken word or reading a textbook style throughout. Although it gives people a high-class feeling, they don't understand what makes it high-class. They don't know at all!
If you can't explain it, how can you refute it?

Unable to refute, wasn't that falling into Ma Ling's trap?

“I feel like his rap doesn’t quite fit the theme…” Ma Ling said bluntly, “This doesn’t sound like rap, it doesn’t sound like hip-hop. I suggest you eliminate him by ignoring the theme.”

As soon as this statement came out...

"..."

The corners of everyone's mouths were twitching wildly in the meeting room.

"Are you blind?" Director Niu couldn't help but glance at the audience and said, "Just look at this scene. If I dare to eliminate him, do you believe that these guys will rush up and beat you and me up together?"

yes……

That’s right!
Just now, after Shen Ming'en finished singing "Little River Flowing 1952," the audience was filled with fervent patriotism...

That was absolutely no less impressive than when Shen Ming'en sang "The Great Wall Will Never Fall" last time!

At that time, Wei Zihan was a nobody, and after shouting a few words in Japanese, he was beaten up by the angry crowd and ended up in the hospital...

The show's decision to eliminate Shen Mingen was, in some ways, even more outrageous than Wei Zihan's blatant disregard for justice!
Do you believe these viewers could really crush their production team?!
“Then it’s true that he’s not addressing the topic, right?” Ma Ling argued with Director Niu.

Ma Ling: "You *&%￥#@..."

Director Niu: "You byd*&fuck you%￥#@..."

The control room was in complete chaos.

And it was at this time...

"Talk flow!"

Suddenly, a very familiar voice rang out from among the staff.

"..."

The control room immediately fell silent.

Even Ma Ling and Director Niu, who were arguing fiercely, were taken aback and turned to look at the person who had spoken.

Upon closer inspection, the person who spoke was none other than Xu Qian, whom Director Niu had previously identified as "Phoenix Chick"!
Facing the gazes of everyone, especially Ma Ling's fierce, almost murderous look, Xu Qian swallowed hard before explaining:
"This is called talk flow, a rapping technique that mimics the rhythm and intonation of everyday speech, making the rap sound like a conversation or a poetry recitation..."

"This technique is suitable for narrative-driven subjects, as it can make the narrative clearer and highlight the narrative while also placing very high demands on the performer..."

"The performer needs to have a very deep understanding of rhythm in order to achieve an effect that seems to be on beat but also not on beat. It is a very difficult, advanced and technically demanding way of singing."

"Shen Ming'en's song 'Little River Flowing 1952' uses this method, which is why it resonates so deeply with listeners."

As Xu Qian finished speaking...

Ma Ling was slightly taken aback...

Ber...what??

Say it to me again!
What the hell? !
Shen Ming'en's singing style, which doesn't rhyme and is basically no different from other people's poetry recitations, also has a name, and it's even... incredibly sophisticated?!

Are you serious?!
Before Ma Ling could react or retort, a clear male voice suddenly rang out from the crowd:

"Off beat!"

Ma Ling: "???"

What the hell is that?!
Can't you two speak like normal people?!
You've listened to too much rap, haven't you? You think it's not sophisticated without some English, right?!
……

(End of this chapter)