Controversy over who sang "Diem Xua" by musician Trinh Cong Son

(Dan Tri) - Trinh songs such as “Diem Xua” and “Ha Trang” sung by AI in rock style have recently attracted attention because of their novelty. However, experts say there are still many limitations.

Recently, on social networks, many videos of "AI singers" performing classic songs by the late musician Trinh Cong Son such as Diem Xua and Ha Trang in rock style have been spreading.

These remixes have a strong, intense sound, completely different from the familiar lyrical, profound quality.

In early October, the video Diem Xua on the YouTube channel “Nhac Tinh AI” reached more than 133,000 views. Receiving positive feedback, the channel continued to post Ha Trang on October 6 and quickly attracted thousands of views in just 24 hours.

The song "Diem Xua" by the late musician Trinh Cong Son performed by AI (Video: YouTube).

Controversy over “AI singer” singing Trinh's music

Trinh's songs performed by AI (artificial intelligence) immediately caused many mixed opinions. Some people were excited about the new creative direction, saying that this is a way to make Vietnamese music more youthful and modern.

However, many people are concerned that human emotions and imprints - the soul of Trinh Cong Son's music - are gradually being overwhelmed.

Sharing with Dan Tri reporter, singer Trinh Vinh Trinh - sister of the late musician Trinh Cong Son - said that when she first heard the arrangement, she was really impressed with the climactic melody, rich in drama and conveying emotions.

“Especially, when I played it on a loud speaker, I didn’t think it was a product created by AI,” she said. The recording surprised Trinh Vinh Trinh because it was created entirely by artificial intelligence.

Ms. Vinh Trinh shared: “Even if there are a few small mistakes in spelling or pronunciation, real singers can make those too. The important thing is that this is just the first version, at a very early stage of this technology.”

According to the singer, AI is currently only at the experimental level, but when “general artificial intelligence” is born, the technology can go much further.

Although she appreciated the novelty, she still couldn’t hide her concerns: “The arrangement is very good, but I worry about the direction of music and art. At first, I didn’t realize it was an AI voice. In a few years, when technology is more complete, how much of its true “soul” will human music still retain?”

On YouTube, a viewer commented: “ The slow rock version of Diem Xua , originally intended for middle-aged people, has been transformed into a new, modern style of metal rock, suitable for young people. So creative.”

Another account said: "The song Diem Xua by musician Trinh Cong Son originally has a gentle melody, but when combined with vibrant rock music, it creates a feeling of sadness, torment, and melancholy."

"Old Diem" is associated with the name of singer Khanh Ly (Photo: Screenshot).

From a professional perspective, musician Tran Tuan Hung - leader of the band Buc Tuong - commented: "I find the arrangement quite strange, but emotionally, those who love Diem Xua and Ha Trang will not find it suitable."

He believes that remixing Trinh Cong Son's familiar songs in a rock style is an interesting experiment. However, according to him, virtual vocals still lack emotional depth - the soul of Trinh's music - so it is difficult to fully express the thoughts and feelings that the author conveys.

Rapper Ha Le - who performed Diem Xua in R&B style - said this was the first time he heard this song done in the rock genre.

He said that with current technology, creating such mixes is not difficult. In fact, many music producers have used AI to create demos (drafts) to send to singers.

However, according to the male rapper, the biggest limitation is the lack of emotion and subtlety in the way he pronounces words, because the voice does not come from a real person. And with Diem Xua , Ha Trang by musician Trinh Cong Son, when covered (re-sung) by AI, it is no exception.

Ha Le said: “For me, listening to discover new things is okay, but to empathize and truly immerse myself in a song performed by AI is impossible.”

Rapper Ha Le once sang the song "Diem Xua" by musician Trinh Cong Son in R&B style (Photo: character's Facebook).

“AI should only be a creative tool, not a replacement for artists”

Musician Tran Tuan Hung said he had listened to some music made by AI and was "really surprised by its ability to analyze and process - especially when performing the same song - in many different styles".

According to him, the arrangements are tightly arranged, the instruments and backing tracks are quite methodical, the sound quality is standard, creating a strong effect on the listener. The vocals created by AI are also fierce and intense - "the type that is not easy to find in real life".

However, when listening carefully, the musician believes that many people will recognize familiar structures and musical phrases, because "AI synthesizes and copies from a huge database, not "composes" in the traditional sense."

He believes that AI music often lacks emotion and human breath - despite attempts to incorporate elements such as breathing or pronunciation.

“That is the clearest boundary: AI can do good technique, but cannot convey real emotions,” the leader of the band Buc Tuong emphasized.

When asked about AI’s involvement in composing and creating many viral songs on social media, Tuan Hung said: “The core of art is true emotion and human connection. AI can write the right formula, but cannot “live” with that emotion.”

According to him, AI can do well in technical or commercial fields, but to write a song with real emotions, experiences and stories, it still needs an artist.

“Personally, I am not against AI, but see it as a powerful assistant, supporting ideas, techniques and production - as long as I master the tool,” said Tuan Hung.

The musician also expressed concerns about copyright and competition in AI music. He said that AI should only be seen as a “creative tool, not a replacement for artists.”

The artist is the one who shapes the soul, emotions and human values ​​of the work.

“It is difficult, but we need a clear legal framework on data, usage rights and profit sharing if AI is used in commercial production,” he suggested.

According to Tuan Hung, the most important thing is transparency. “The audience needs to know what is human music and what is machine music to make a conscious and fair choice,” he added.

Musician Tuan Hung (Photo: Character's Facebook).

Rapper Ha Le believes that although AI brings many conveniences, the artist's emotions and personal mark are still irreplaceable values.

“I think AI cannot change people emotionally, but it can absolutely become a powerful tool to support creativity,” he said.

According to Ha Le, the first idea of ​​a song - from lyrics, story to emotion - must always come from humans, and AI should only be used to find music, arrange or try out suitable singing styles.

He admits that applying AI in music is an inevitable trend, but emphasizes that artists need to use it selectively. “We also use AI and technology quite a lot in the studio, but only to find ideas and make demos. It cannot become an official product or take up too many roles," the male rapper said.

Ha Le warned that if AI is abused, humans will gradually lose the ability to think creatively. “When we depend on it, our brains will no longer have to think much. Over time, our own unique colors and personal qualities - the things that make up the value of an artist - will fade away," he said.

Ha Le added: “If we leave all creative work to AI, what will we end up with? Emotions, experiences, personality - that's what makes an artist unique."

Besides the benefits, Ha Le also worries about copyright and fair competition. He believes that AI products are created from available data, while musicians have to invest their brains and time.

"When AI music is born, it will certainly create unfair competition," he commented. According to the male rapper, there needs to be clear regulations for music products using AI, distinguishing between real creative works and technological products.

He suggested: “AI songs could have limited distribution, such as not being performed on large stages or released commercially, and should only exist in cyberspace or in experimental places.”

Although admitting that AI is an inevitable trend, Ha Le believes that true music lovers will still recognize the difference between humans and machines.

“A discerning listener will feel the vibe and authenticity in the music - something that AI cannot replace. Artists have a stage to perform, while AI can only be online,” he said.

According to Ha Le, AI will eventually “find its place” in the music market. “AI cannot be eliminated because it has been born. But over time, the market and listeners will know what its true value is so that AI can go into a reasonable orbit,” said rapper Ha Le.

For him, the most important thing is still the awareness and progressive spirit of the professional: "Artists must cultivate their capacity, knowledge and creativity with their own abilities. AI is just a tool to help realize ideas, but cannot replace humans in creative work."

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/tranh-cai-ai-hat-diem-xua-cua-nhac-si-trinh-cong-son-20251009215434870.htm