Track gains unexpected popularity
A 2015 instrumental track titled No Title, originally composed by French-Vietnamese producer Nodey for a YouTube short film, has become an unexpected anthem for French student protests. The track, which lacks a formal title, has been used in videos, signs, and processions by students participating in school blockades.Origin of the track
Nodey, who currently lives in Saigon, created the piece in 2015 for the film Technophobe by YouTube personality Cyprien. The film follows a character who develops an allergy to technology, and the track reflects a journey from suffering to acceptance and hope. The composition draws inspiration from U2's Sunday Bloody Sunday, incorporating martial and almost warrior-like elements.Resonance with current movements
Nodey, who has long supported the Vietnam Dioxine collective, which advocates for victims of Agent Orange, notes that the track's themes of liberation and hope resonate with current student movements. He describes the situation as "completely unexpected" but acknowledges that the track has the ingredients to be a timeless resistance anthem.Track's recent rise
The track was not available on streaming platforms until recently, when social media users, particularly on TikTok, began using it in their videos. Cyprien advised Nodey to upload it, and since then, it has been streamed nearly 300,000 times on YouTube and reached the 21st position on Shazam's charts on October 12.Student protests and demands
The student protests, which began in overseas territories and later spread to mainland France, started in mid-September at the Lycée Saint-Exupéry in Créteil. Nodey, who grew up nearby, supports the students' demands, including the end of the Parcoursup system, more teachers, and the rehabilitation of schools, particularly in the suburbs. He describes these demands as "ultraligitime."Nodey’s history with social causes
Nodey has a history of using his music for social causes, including his support for Tran To Nga, a French-Vietnamese woman who has been fighting against Monsanto and other companies for decades due to her exposure to Agent Orange. In 2025, Nodey organized a Paris event called Sinh Tô Paris, with proceeds going to Tran To Nga's legal battle.Connection to past struggles
Vincent Nguyen, a member of Vietnam Dioxine and a longtime friend of Nodey, sees a connection between the current student protests and the ongoing fight against the legacy of Agent Orange. He emphasizes the role of social media in modern activism and the importance of drawing inspiration from the youth's methods of resistance.Cultural and political influences
Nodey, who comes from a family involved in activism, has integrated Vietnamese musical elements into his work, reflecting his desire to "decolonize" his music. He has worked with prominent French rappers and has incorporated traditional Vietnamese instruments made of bamboo into his compositions. Living in Vietnam has allowed him to explore these cultural roots further.Art as a political act
Nodey's stance on the political nature of art is clear: "Everything is political. Creating is a political act." His comments were noted when Raphaël Glucksmann used No Title in an Instagram post celebrating his victory in the socialist primary, to which Nodey responded with a reference to the 2027 French legislative election.
