WHAT DOES TURN DOWN FOR WHAT MEAN? - DUDAS - 2024

Turn down for what ”means in Spanish (literally)“ to stop drinking for what ”or“ to be sober for what ”. It is a phrase viralized on social networks after the release of the song titled with the same name by singer Lil Jon and DJ Snake's. It is used when someone gives an unexpected answer and exposes another person.

Within that prevailing youth slang, "Turn" is a jargon used to indicate that someone has exposed another person. It is also used in other contexts to show that someone is having a really good time, sometimes with the help of alcohol, drugs, or other illegal substances.

"Turn up" is the act of getting drunk, getting high - hallucinating or delirious, in the broadest terms - and being reckless, so "turn down" would mean staying sober, regaining normal consciousness and everyday common sense.

Therefore, the phrase "turn down for what" translates as why be sober? o Why stop drinking? It is also a rhetorical question used in response to the request that you stop drinking alcohol or using other substances. In this video you can see some uses of this expression:

Origin of the «turn down for what»

Girl: - You are very drunk. You need to turn down a bit.

Boy: - Turn down for what?

So, when answering with this rhetorical question, the only thing you want to argue is: Why?

There is no reason to stop celebrating, getting drunk, getting high and being reckless, brandishing a generic and brazen justification for any consequence or claim in this regard.

This musical theme –indisputable best seller– has won notable recognition within the particular “cosmos” of the entertainment industry; among them, a gold and platinum record in 2014, the year after its release, as well as prestigious nominations and massive awards for the “video-clip”.

Lil Jon is an American rapper and music producer born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born in 1971 under the name Jonathan Smith.

For his part, DJ Snake is a versatile French musician (1986), under the first name of William Grigahcine. He has participated in film soundtracks and his fame was catapulted thanks to the joint work he developed with the scandalous and controversial Lady Gaga in 2011.

Building on the fame of this hit parade hit, with emphasis over the past five years, the term "turn" has been used frequently in music.

One of the artists who likes to use this term in their songs is the singer Ciara who has a four-minute song about a man who makes her feel super “turn up”.

Beyoncé, who is much better known than Ciara, has also sung about being "turn up." In her musical theme Turnt The-Dream there is a verse that says: "Turnt up to the ceiling / Burnt up, till you ain't got no feeling" ("Turn up" to the ceiling / until you have no feeling).

It is obviously about promoting a state of unconsciousness, enjoyment and self-confidence, without worrying about the consequences…

So if the "turn up" is so much fun, why would anyone want to "turn down"? Lil Jon and Dj Snake's song “Turn down for what” is a song that, in two simple sentences, tells you how to keep a good party.

The stanzas indicate: "Fire up that loud / Another round of shorts" (Light the marijuana / Another round of drinks). "Loud" is slang for good quality marijuana.

The title of the song that now became a phrase used in urban language, is a rhetorical question that indicates that there is nothing better (just at that moment) for which it is worth reducing the level of drunkenness and festive delirium, of celebration and irrepressible march.

It's like asking yourself the following question: What would make you want to be sober instead of drunk and / or high while having a good time?

Therefore, it is believed that the song "Turn down for what" by Lil Jon and DJ Snake's was looking for people to ask themselves: what is the reason to stop getting drunk, high, go crazy and enjoy?

And language, as a dynamic entity that it is, has incorporated, at the level of urban youth slang, this expression that has become, from a musical stanza, to almost an irreverent hymn that proclaims hedonism as a priority in the face of the rigors of life. daily, plagued by unemployment and economic precariousness.

Critical analysis of the appointment

The ethical consequences of all this mass-media phenomenon will be the object of study by successive theses on sociology, anthropology and social communication. We must, then, remain vigilant…

Very by the way, it is possible, then, to stop to reflect a little and ask ourselves what is the new trend to put lyrics to the most popular songs.

In this sense, it is tremendously appropriate to remember Voltaire (a philosopher and lawyer from the 18th century), also French, who, in a fit of black humor, affirmed that the best destiny for frivolities was to use them as song lyrics.

What would happen, for example, if, from now on, we turn the contents of our most controversial tweets into music themes and with the greatest reaction from our followers?

It could be imposed as an amazing viral trend that would serve to renew the texts of music.

They would constitute something like "text messages", yes, but sung and repeated in catchy musical stanzas and easy to remember and replicate by anyone, while dancing.

From there to the well-known advertising jingle (for proselytizing purposes: remembering, repeating and buying) there is just one step and, if we extrapolate this reflection, we could easily reach institutional, sports and even national anthems.

Indeed, the songs are not at all innocent in their mission to remove society, in a positive way or in their more perverse and pernicious counterparts. The criteria of each individual must decide what use to make of each musical "content".

Other expressions used in social networks

Forever alone.

GPI.

LOL.

YOLO.

7U7.

References

1. Abad-Santos A. “Turn down for what”: a guide (2014). Recovered from: www.vox.com.
2. Bratskeir K. A complete list of people who asked me to define “Turn down for what” over the weekend (2014). Recovered from: www.huffingtonpost.com.
3. Davis A. What does it really mean to "turn up"? (2014). Recovered from: www.nymag.com
4. McKee J, Smith D. What “Turn down for what” and “Loyal” reveal about pop culture (2014). Recovered from: thesource4ym.com.
5. Nunn N. Turn down for what? (2013). Enteleconsult.
6. Turn down for what: an ode to rape culture (2014). Recovered from: disruptingdinnerparties.com.