Page 14 - Varsity Special Issue

12 / Periscope / 13

about music creation.” “ member of the Hong Kong
Lam believes that creating songs Professional Teachers’ Union, has
“ about current issues can arouse public Government pun- devoted to music production for more
than 20 years. He wrote a Cantonese
awareness. “Some people may not care
I used the phrase about politics. Some may find news ishes the good and song 《疫瘋》with his friends
boring. Music can repackage news by
“black cops” many adding different styles to it such as a rewards the evil. Its about how ordinary citizens resist the
government. The team published the
times in most of my sense of humour,” he says. action is the reason music video on YouTube in May.
Law predicts a decline in audience
Fong describes his team as a group
songs. I may soon be as people may tend to discuss political why creators lose of people who care about Hong Kong.
issues less openly under the law. “I’ve
“We want to entertain ourselves and
arrested. never thought the situation would the motivation to voice out our thoughts and resonate
become like this,” Lam says. “In the
with people through music,” he says.
past, I thought this only happens in produce work. “Music can help everyone express
China. Now, Hong Kong is the same,” their thoughts. It is not just an idea. It
” Lam says. can be watched, listened to and shared

Survive under a Vague Law ” with others. As a creator, this is the
greatest joy.”
wn po
orms his o
li
sic.
tical mu
nn
y Lam creates and perf
Sunny Lam creates and performs his own political music. Another music producer Fong
Su
(Photo courtesy of Sunny Lam)
( Photo c ou rtesy o f Sunn y Lam) Yet, he loses motivation to produce
King-lok also shares Lam’s feelings. music after the law was introduced
Contagious F ear ov er the Law up (producing political songs) in Au- have been repeatedly denied and “I do not expect the law to come so in June. “Frankly speaking, the law
Contagious Fear over the Law
“ will avoid using terms like “Free gust,” he says. “With the introduction denounced by police and government soon,” Fong says. “(Despite the law,) makes me feel discouraged. I lose
Hong Kong, revolution now” or of the law, the government may say I officials. we will continue to create music and the will to express my opinion,” he
I eplace the phrase with other am spreading rumours through my Lam says some netizens he has sing our minds.” says. Fong thinks the lack of room
r
terms when I write songs,” says Sunny songs about the 831 incident.” worked with share his fear. “Some Fong, an executive committee for tolerance and respect for different
Fong King-lok
Lam, a local political singer who has On August 31, 2019, police netizens wrote lyrics for some of my F o ng King - l ok
been creating music videos about entered Prince Edward MTR station songs about Hong Kong. They told
political issues since 2014. With more to arrest people after receiving reports me they would stop doing it because
than seventy thousand subscribers on that protesters assaulted members of the law,” he says.
his YouTube channel, Lam expresses of the public and damaged station People around Lam, especially his
fear over the national security law properties. Video footage showed parents, advise him to stop his pro-
which came into effect on June 30. police pepper-spraying protesters duction to avoid violation of the law.
He is concerned about the ambi- inside a train carriage and ordering “I used the phrase “black cops” many
guity in the law. “The government in- them to kneel against a wall with times in most of my songs. I may soon
terprets everything,” Lam says. “Once their hands on their heads before be arrested,” Lam says.
the government says you violate the making arrests. Commuters protected Despite his fear of being arrested,
law, then you are.” themselves with umbrellas, but Lam says he will keep producing new
Having published two songs about some were still seen bleeding from songs and post them on his YouTube
the Prince Edward 831 incident on head injuries. The event generates channel. “I am scared, but I won’t stop
his channel, Lam worries about be- unsubstantiated claims of deaths that doing it,” he says. “I am still passionate
ing arrested. “I thought about giving

“

In the past, I thought this only happens in

China. Now, Hong Kong is the same.

Scene in the mu sic video produced by F o ng King - l ok. ( Photo c ou rtesy o f F o ng King - l ok)
Scene in the music video produced by Fong King-lok. (Photo courtesy of Fong King-lok)
”