Press Statement Regarding the Song "Hae Hae"

Art and culture are reflections of the society, public perception and views. As such, Symbolic Records’ “Hae Hae”, is a reflection of the current Maldivian society. Therefore, the report on Sun Online, criticizing the song as “derogative to Islam and Maldivian culture” and “promoting pornography” is highly inaccurate and untrue. Symbolic Records condemns the effort by a reporter at Sun Online to defame a small label’s efforts to bring in new music to the country’s music industry.

While the report on Sun Online makes these claims, the claims were made against Symbolic Records alone. Maldivian music industry thrives on copy pasting Hindi tunes, overt sexual connotations and harassment in video songs in addition to lack of creativity and opportunities for young talent. Symbolic Records expresses deep disappointment that the senior established figures in the entertainment industry have embarked on an agenda of limiting and restricting freedom of expression, originality and creativity.

A typical Maldivian song often compares women to moon and stars, talk of moon and stars prostrating in front of women and talks about finding “secluded spots” and how “patience had run out”. The typical Maldivian song depicts men regularly harassing women on streets and portrays stalking as a completely normal action. All this, for years, had been broadcast on national television, thereby enforcing that this is a norm. This has permeated the society and influenced young minds.

Symbolic Records Company Pvt Ltd was founded by a group of young individuals, having failed to breakthrough in the current, rigidly controlled entertainment sector. All our endeavors are funded by our contributions and donations from generous individuals. Our sole aim is to create content that is a deep look at the issues facing the nation.

As such, “Hae Hae” is a critical look at youth, misogyny in the society, catcalling, harassment and how those individuals seeks to justify and normalize their behavior. Symbolic Records does not and will not endorse harassment and attacks on women. As we have been saying, “#FoshunCoolehNoon. Symbolic will be releasing more creative content in future, in spite of the attacks on the label.

As the case is being investigated by Maldives Police Service, Symbolic Records will fully comply and cooperate with the investigations.

Symbolic Records would like to thank our fans for the enormous support for the song and would like to apologize to anyone who had been offended by “Hae Hae”.

Once again #FoshunCoolehNoon.

Symbolic Records