Hanoian youth crews turn out in style for Rap Viet casting call

By Quynh Dinh April 24, 2021 | 01:00 am PT

The casting call for a TV rap show in Hanoi saw many youngsters swathed in the latest hip-hop gear trying to imprint their mark on judges and spectators.

Minh Thanh, 20, comes to the casting call with blue hair and a lot of metal accessories. Knowing that it is competitive to get into the next round, the rap fan hopes that he will be accepted in the casting call.The second season of Rap Viet kicked off in Saigon on April 13 and continued in Hanoi on April 20 and 21, attracting thousands of contestants. In the first season, 36 contestants had been chosen from thousands, and the show went on to become a humongous hit on national television. On November 14, 2020, its finale attracted more than 1.2 million viewers, a record number for an entertainment show. Rap Viet’s Youtube channel has more than two million subscribers, and many videos get millions of views.

Minh Thanh, 20, arrived at the casting call with blue hair and plenty of accessories. Aware of the challenges, the rap fan hopes to be cast in the TV show.
The second season of Rap Viet kicked off in Saigon on April 13 and continued in Hanoi on April 20 and 21, attracting thousands of contestants. In the first season, 36 contestants had been chosen from thousands, with the show becoming a humongous hit on national television. On November 14, 2020 its finale attracted more than 1.2 million viewers, a record number for an entertainment show. Rap Viet’s YouTube channel has more than two million subscribers, and many millions of views.

Tien Hoang, 20, student at the University Of Transport Technology shows off his braid hair with an oversized shirt and pants.

Tien Hoang, 20, student at the University of Transport Technology shows off his braided hair with an oversized shirt and pants.

Ho Duc Anh combines colorful pants and sunglasses, and metal accessories. As an underground rapper, Anh registered for the second season of Rap Viet after some of his friends succeeded in the first season.

Ho Duc Anh combines colorful pants and sunglasses with prerequisite accessories. As an underground rapper, Anh registered for the second season of Rap Viet after some of his friends succeeded in the first season.

17-year-old Bui Minh Phuong shows off her brooding look with dark outfits, nails, and boots. Starting loving rap music three years ago, the girl says she goes to the casting call with some friends and thinks she is okay to register for a chance.

Bui Minh Phuong, 17, acquires a brooding look with a dark outfit, nails, and boots. Exposed to rap music three years ago, she attended the casting call with some friends and decided to register for a chance of success.

Vu Dinh Hoa, 21, was a popping dancer before coming to rap music. With consultation from friends, he chooses a tucked-in vest and pink hair to join the casting call.

Vu Dinh Hoa, 21, was a popping dancer before discovering rap. With consultation from friends, he chose a tucked-in vest and pink hair to for the casting call.

Quang, 21, has an unforgettable hairstyle that took him a lot of time to prepare. Judges let him finish his three-minute performance, Quang said. Many other contestants are told to stop performing after seconds.

Quang, 21, was allowed to finish his three-minute performance. Other contestants are typically asked to stop after several seconds.

Mai Linh and Trung Chinh, former dancers, joined the casting call with a lot of tattoos after finding their passion for rap last year.We are freelancer at the moment, he raps, I enjoy, Linh said and with a smile.Rap, slow to become popular in Vietnam due to its often dark and violent content, has won over young music lovers and found its ways into the mainstream. In the last few years dozens of rap artists, mostly underground, have appeared and achieved success with their music videos getting millions of views and shows attracting tens of thousands of fans.

Mai Linh and Trung Chinh, former dancers, joined the casting call after discovering their passion for rap last year.
"We are freelancers at the moment, he raps, I enjoy," Linh said with a smile.
Rap, slow to become popular in Vietnam due to its often dark and violent content, has won over young music lovers to find its ways into the mainstream. In the past few years, dozens of rap artists, mostly underground, have appeared and achieved success with their music videos getting millions of views and shows attracting tens of thousands of fans.

Photos by Tung Dinh