The masked trio in Ballinciaga have taken Norway by storm, topping the charts in the past year.
On Friday, they released their new song, “Dumme Kids”.
The song is a collaboration with the Swedish rapper 1.Cuz – who is also masked.
“Drink while you can”
Along with the song, there also seems to be a music video – at least if you are to believe what has been posted on Instagram. Several clips and pictures of children dressed as the artists with white and pink masks have been posted here.
Ballinciaga has confirmed to Good Evening Norway that the actors in the video are between ten and 13 years old.
In the clip, the children are at the S4 nightclub.
Here they dance to Ballinciaga’s new song, while they drink from champagne bottles and head out to the Storting to urinate on the ground.
The text runs as follows:
“We’re just kids and we don’t have enough time.
We only live once, so drink while you can.”
This causes, among other things, the alcove organization “Av-og-til” to react.
– They are not the first to use children in such settings to shock and create buzz and attention, says Ragnhild Kaski, general secretary of “Av-og-til”.
– I think first of all that it is embarrassing for Ballinciaga that they choose to promote their song with children drinking from champagne bottles in a bar.
Although there is no indication that the champagne bottles contain alcohol, Kaski still believes that it is problematic.
REACTS: Ranhild Kaski, from the organization Av-og-til believes Ballinciaga wants to shock. Photo: Jonas Been Henriksen / TV 2
– Everyone understands that the children in this video do not actually drink alcohol. It is still problematic, especially when you know how young Ballinciaga’s target audience is, and how many people follow them on TikTok and probably look up to them.
When Good evening Norway checks on Friday afternoon, the group has 85,500 followers on Instagram, while the following on TikTok is a whopping 157,900.
If you check Spotify, you will be informed that 837,062 people listen to their music monthly.
“Dans På Bordet” reigns at the top of the list of their most played songs, with almost 40 million plays.
– When they then additionally choose to use children for the promotion itself, and put the children in a setting that is about drinking a lot of alcohol, it is extra critical, she concludes.
Good evening Norway has submitted the criticism for Ballinciaga. They reply that they have chosen to use minors in the promotion of the new song because it reflects the whole essence of the song, and them as a group.
– Even though we are adults, we are still just “stupid kids”.
Read the full response to Ballinciaga at the bottom of this issue.
– Nothing to live by
Psychologist and presenter Benjamin Silseth (32) believes that the video can help to normalize drinking among minors.
– It’s probably not Ballinciaga’s fault that drug use and bad views of women exist, but it doesn’t help positive change with such lyrics, he says to God kveld Norge.
IMPORTANT TO TALK: Psychologist Benjamin Silseth says it is important to talk to the children about the texts. Photo: Sveinung Kyte / TV 2
– As a child you don’t have a bad time, and should not focus on drinking – but rather develop and grow.
Furthermore, he says that children are influenced by many things. Therefore, he believes that adults must be good at talking to children.
– Remind the children that this is music, and not something to live by.
– We cannot remove the problem, but we can try to handle it better collectively, he concludes.
I don’t think they have a direct impact
It is not the first time that Ballinciaga has been in trouble for his lyrics.
In 2022, the music group participated in the NRK program Debatten. There they were confronted with their controversial song lyrics.
Program leader Fredrik Solvang asked questions from the audience. One of the questions is what the group thinks happens to the brain of a 13-year-old who hears their lyrics.
– You are exposed to various things, whether it’s parties, alcohol or drugs in many places. Our songs do not make a big difference to what else you are exposed to.
– You have three songs in the top ten on the VG list, that means you have an influence, says presenter Solvang.
Ballinciaga agrees with the presenter, but also believes that their music opens up dialogue about the subject.
– Perhaps it rather opens up conversation, and that you can talk about it. It is a topic that many people find exciting.
During the broadcast, the group is asked if they think the songs contribute to young people becoming intoxicated to a greater extent.
– I guess we don’t directly think so, but it’s clear that if our music makes people want to party more, drink and have fun – then maybe.
– But not directly by us mentioning something in a song, says one of the masked boys.
Therefore only two came from Ballinciaga
Will challenge and provoke
Ballinciaga writes in a message to God kveld Norge that they have received many reactions after they posted the video on Instagram, but claims that most people are positive about the song.
– We would like to challenge and provoke with the art we create, writes the group.
Ballinciaga claims that the majority of their target group is over 18, and says themselves that they do not feel a direct responsibility to “teach the kids”.
– Our focus is on creating good memories around alcohol.
Do you have a tip for a case? Send us an e-mail at [email protected].
