On June 27, BLACKPINK‘s Lisa returned with “Rockstar.” This single is the first release under her company, LLOUD, and many netizens have tuned in in anticipation.
Lisa’s release earned mixed reviews, with many appreciating the artistry and visuals in the music video, including her inclusion of three Trans influencers. On the other hand, some felt that the release was not on the same level as her other solo tracks.
Another criticism of the song was its lyrics, which some felt were “not up to par” with the grandiose video.
BLACKPINK Lisa’s “Rockstar” Lyrics Subjected To Criticism
In particular, one section of the song has been made a point of debate.
During the chorus, Lisa makes a catchy reference to her track “LALISA” from the point of view of someone asking her to teach them Japanese.
Make your favorite singer wanna rap, baby, la, la
‘Lisa, can you teach me Japanese?’ I said, ‘Hai, Hai’— “Rockstar” Lyrics
Some have taken this to be a shot at those who view all Asians as one collective and make assumptions on a person’s nationality or ethnicity. Lisa also features many Thai women during this part, and does the traditional Thai greeting when she “responds” in Japanese, something people have taken as a show of pride for her home country.
“LISA CAN YOU TEACH ME JAPONESE?”
👉🏻 She’s talking about how westerns treat Asian people as only Japanese/Chinese and literally answering with frames showing many different THAI woman!
ROCKSTAR OUT NOW#MusicianLISAisBACK #LISAxROCKSTAR pic.twitter.com/HNCiKXMVWE
— vivi 🇧🇷 (@bornlilie_) June 28, 2024
lisa showing thai people face in response to ‘lalisa teach me Japanese’ it’s a kick in the face to those who said she wasn’t proud to be Thai lol she knows SHE ALWAYS KNOWS
pic.twitter.com/ObXxgzFeYS
— 🎸 (@LISASE0K) June 28, 2024
OHH
ROCKSTAR OUT NOW #MusicianLISAisBACK #LISAxROCKSTAR https://t.co/hLVr3WxyhT pic.twitter.com/Liq0Xq8RBx
— ʚɞ (@LILISlNG) June 28, 2024
On the other hand some have seen no deeper meaning in these specific lines, based on the interpretations of the other lyrics.
Stop trying to make this trash song look like it has deep meaning when it doesn’t https://t.co/G3XfGIG7qa
— JustAlive (@Justalivee21) June 28, 2024
she is known for her corny ass lyrics, me and my bf thought it could be this at first but we concluded that that was even too kind for her coz the next thing she said was “imma rockstar/ i make u rock hard” 🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻♀️🚶🏻♀️ https://t.co/svamYQG39B
— kenny’s mojo dojo casa house (@9yokenei) June 28, 2024
lmfao stop lying to yourselves, your fave ain’t that deep 😂 it’s literally just about her claiming that she’s living the life of a rockstar, period. https://t.co/10C0imEdBe
— dyanne’s accountant (@ult_jnk) June 28, 2024
Hopefully, during her promotions for this track Lisa will reveal the meaning behind this part of her song.
