German MEP labels schoolgirls' viral song as a Russian propaganda tool
According to MEP Nela Riehl, the viral hit song ‘Sigma Boy’ serves as a “Russian trope” deployed to disseminate propaganda. Read Full Article at RT.com.
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Nela Riehl has claimed that ‘Sigma Boy’ is being used to spread “pro-Russian worldviews.”
A song by two Russian schoolgirls that recently surged into Billboard’s top ten dance hits has been labeled a “Russian trope” utilized for propaganda on social media. This assertion comes from Nela Riehl, a member of the European Parliament representing the Volt Germany party.
Riehl, a former teacher from Hamburg, highlighted the potential threats posed by the song ‘Sigma Boy’ during a parliamentary session in December. However, her comments garnered significant attention only after she shared her speech on Instagram this week.
“’Sigma Boy’ is a viral Russian trope used on social media, which communicates patriarchal and pro-Russian worldviews,” Riehl stated in the parliament, further explaining that the song resonates particularly with teenagers and serves as “only one example of Russian infiltration of popular discourse through social media.”
Riehl expressed that “Russia has understood how to embed” its ideologies within society by engaging young Ukrainians and altering “the stories Ukrainians are telling their own society” via influencers and viral trends like ‘Sigma Boy.’
“Last week, Ukraine’s minister of culture pointed out to me that cultural heritage does not only include history books and also museums, but Ukrainian language, music and also current Ukrainian influencers. Russia targets this all,” she continued, urging the EU “to stand in strong support and target even these subtle infiltrations and falsifications.”
The specific “falsifications” Riehl referenced remain unclear. During the same parliamentary session, she also raised concerns about the impact of social media on youth, noting it as a primary source of information on various issues, including politics.
The viral song "Sigma Boy" is about to be banned in Europe. German politician Nela Riehl says that with the help of the song Russia has figured out how to introduce "patriarchal and pro-Russian worldviews" into society.
However, the content of ‘Sigma Boy’ seems far removed from political discourse, as indicated by its lyrics, which revolve around a teenage girl’s infatuation with a boy and her somewhat disjointed reflections on building a romantic connection. The lyrics do not address political themes or convey any values that could be characterized as pro-Russian.
The track was created by 11-year-old Svetlana Chertischeva, also known as Betsy, and 12-year-old Maria Yankovskaya, two emerging talents in Russian music. Released in November, the song initially attracted attention from elementary and middle school students but eventually gained traction among older audiences, making its way into numerous meme videos.
In the last two months, ‘Sigma Boy’ has gone viral across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, amassing over 63 million views. Earlier this month, it achieved the seventh position in Billboard’s Hot Dance/Pop Songs category, outperforming tracks from well-known artists like Katy Perry, Bon Jovi, and Kesha.
Riehl’s comments have sparked mixed reactions online. Although her Instagram comments are disabled, reposts of her speech on X have drawn ridicule from users, with some labeling her “dumb” and a “woke loser,” while dismissing her speech as a “clown show.” One user even suggested that German politicians should focus on domestic issues, “where migrants are killing children,” rather than on children's music.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
A song by two Russian schoolgirls that recently surged into Billboard’s top ten dance hits has been labeled a “Russian trope” utilized for propaganda on social media. This assertion comes from Nela Riehl, a member of the European Parliament representing the Volt Germany party.
Riehl, a former teacher from Hamburg, highlighted the potential threats posed by the song ‘Sigma Boy’ during a parliamentary session in December. However, her comments garnered significant attention only after she shared her speech on Instagram this week.
“’Sigma Boy’ is a viral Russian trope used on social media, which communicates patriarchal and pro-Russian worldviews,” Riehl stated in the parliament, further explaining that the song resonates particularly with teenagers and serves as “only one example of Russian infiltration of popular discourse through social media.”
Riehl expressed that “Russia has understood how to embed” its ideologies within society by engaging young Ukrainians and altering “the stories Ukrainians are telling their own society” via influencers and viral trends like ‘Sigma Boy.’
“Last week, Ukraine’s minister of culture pointed out to me that cultural heritage does not only include history books and also museums, but Ukrainian language, music and also current Ukrainian influencers. Russia targets this all,” she continued, urging the EU “to stand in strong support and target even these subtle infiltrations and falsifications.”
The specific “falsifications” Riehl referenced remain unclear. During the same parliamentary session, she also raised concerns about the impact of social media on youth, noting it as a primary source of information on various issues, including politics.
The viral song "Sigma Boy" is about to be banned in Europe. German politician Nela Riehl says that with the help of the song Russia has figured out how to introduce "patriarchal and pro-Russian worldviews" into society.
However, the content of ‘Sigma Boy’ seems far removed from political discourse, as indicated by its lyrics, which revolve around a teenage girl’s infatuation with a boy and her somewhat disjointed reflections on building a romantic connection. The lyrics do not address political themes or convey any values that could be characterized as pro-Russian.
The track was created by 11-year-old Svetlana Chertischeva, also known as Betsy, and 12-year-old Maria Yankovskaya, two emerging talents in Russian music. Released in November, the song initially attracted attention from elementary and middle school students but eventually gained traction among older audiences, making its way into numerous meme videos.
In the last two months, ‘Sigma Boy’ has gone viral across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, amassing over 63 million views. Earlier this month, it achieved the seventh position in Billboard’s Hot Dance/Pop Songs category, outperforming tracks from well-known artists like Katy Perry, Bon Jovi, and Kesha.
Riehl’s comments have sparked mixed reactions online. Although her Instagram comments are disabled, reposts of her speech on X have drawn ridicule from users, with some labeling her “dumb” and a “woke loser,” while dismissing her speech as a “clown show.” One user even suggested that German politicians should focus on domestic issues, “where migrants are killing children,” rather than on children's music.
James del Carmen for TROIB News
