Do WE as parents just completely ignore the words in today's music???

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Permalink Reply by Aishah on March 2, 2010 at 5:53pm

I meant to say to encourage our teens NOT to have sex.

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Permalink Reply by Ryan on March 2, 2010 at 6:12pm

Discouraging kids to have sex does more damage then encouraging it..

Either way there's no stopping it, even if you monitor what your kid watches, no use in stopping them but there is use in trying to make sure they use condoms.

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Permalink Reply by Aishah on March 2, 2010 at 7:43pm

I understand the thought, but I am a parent comitted to encouraging my children to wait until they are married or ATLEAST have found the man or woman they will consider marrying to have sex! U know people that fund this way of up bringing to be unrealistic but that will not discourage me from raising them in a way that will allow them to think hard about their actions and Also have the understanding that sex is NOT the MOST important part or thought in your relationship, infect that it Is the LAST thought! By discouraging I mean to encourage other things and activities, when you just allow your children to sit around listening to music, waching TV and videos then they can't help but to think about the UNIMPORTANT things in life . I respect your. Thoughts though!!!! Thanks for even taking the time with me ( ;

Ryan said:

Discouraging kids to have sex does more damage then encouraging it.. Either way there's no stopping it, even if you monitor what your kid watches, no use in stopping them but there is use in trying to make sure they use condoms.

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Permalink Reply by One Term on March 4, 2010 at 7:00pm

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a large number of the parents of this generation are actually endorsing the words in today's music. Not saying that they push it on their kids, but their actions in life and socially are reflected onto their kids. And if mama's out there and 'bout to drop it, best believe baby girl's gonna be out there 'bout to drop it, too. Matter of fact, I've seen several women with videos of their 4-year-old doing "pop, lock, and drop it" and considering it cute. Now, whether they're on their proper parenting game, I don't know. But I can only hope that outside of dancing to sexually suggestive music, their instilling some values within their kids that will keep their mind right regardless of what they see, hear, dance to, or dance like.

My friends and I have done my share of "grinding" in a club or at a dance as teens and, living in Georgia, have experienced the many wonders of "bootyshake" music and it's influences. We've heard countless songs with sex as the primary subject matter (although, I'll admit when I do overhear current music from the radio, that seems to be every song nowadays and more explicitly so), but none of that makes us respect women any less, and I've never treated sex casually in my life (more than once). This type of music has always been present. Our parents kept our heads right when it came to such matters.

On another note: We've listened to countless songs depicting and describing murder, but have never desired killing, with the exception of self- or family-defense.

With that said... the music was not outlawed, per se. The values were instilled so that we knew and understood that committing those actions were outlawed, in the sense that we knew the costs. Sadly, not every parent does that. And admittedly, not every child will listen to a parent that does. And the music is not going to stop. But I think you're definitely on the right track if you're a parent who knows what's out there, and you make an effort to not only instill proper values in your children but get them around others who can do the same. Because we all know the parent can't be there at all times. If the child sees and is influenced by others outside of the home that conduct themselves in "proper" manner, I believe it strongly reinforces the parent's efforts.

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Permalink Reply by Talib Kweli on March 6, 2010 at 2:26pm

I LOVE How Low Can You Go. It is a great record, and Luda has been making these type of records since he came in the game with What's Your Fantasy, which was actually more provocative than this is. Ludacris is a grown ass man who started is career in Atlanta nightclubs, which lean heavily towards strip club music. There is nothing at all wrong with an adult artist making music for adults. It is never correct to blame or police artists for these type of records, and all music has a context in which it works.
However you are correct that this record should not be the record you hear on the radio when you pick up your child from school.That is the fault of the program director of a station who is using sex and violence to drive up ratings for his station. It's the American way, we spend more money on that stuff than anything. You have a couple of choices. Start a campaign to get more positive music on the radio, or do what dead prez suggest, and simply turn off that bullshit. If you don't listen, and are honest with your child about what these songs represent, it cannot hurt you or your family.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on March 6, 2010 at 2:33pm

hey whats up? Thats why you don't let them listen to the BS on the radio. Make your own CDs with music they would like.
Thats how I roll in the MINIVAN.

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Permalink Reply by One Term on March 8, 2010 at 12:37am

Jonathan said:

Thats how I roll in the MINIVAN.

hahaha... i'm just picturing it with icecream truck-style speakers attached to it pumpin the music to the neighborhood.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan on March 8, 2010 at 9:02am

lol......... YOU KNOW!! People, Make some good cd's with GREAT Hip Hop in them. Play that for your children. There are COUNTLESS classics that are PG that children and TEENS would love. Tribe Called Quest, De La Soul, KRS-One, Mos Def, Talib Kweli. You know how many times my kids beg for me to play "GET BY" by Kweli. and "Definition" by Black Star. The EDITED versions are out there. BUY THEM. Im not rich. But I spend the extra money on the EXPLICIT and the EDITED versions of the song if it has a strong uplifting message. "THE BLAST" is another great song to have. Again, just get the edited versions. I just got FREEWAYS "Stimulus Package" explicit on cd, but I bought the two songs "Know what I mean" and "Throw Your Hands Up" from iTunes in the EDITED form. Those 2 songs are bangers. Your children will definitely be moved by them. Now on the other hand, I downloaded KRONDONS album from his site, and I will not play that with the kids because its definitely more ADULT oriented. As much as I love the album, the content isnt right for their ears. I love love love children. Speaking of which, SLICK RICKS "Childrens Story" is a great song to have for them. KEEP in mind our children are our FUTURE. More parents need to educate their kids on the HISTORY of Hip Hop and why its here in the first place. Its definitely not for B*TCHES, and RIMS, and GOLD CHAINS. Feel me to contact me ANYTIME at 808shirts@gmail.com! I love my people and my community. Lets keep the CULTURE moving!! LET'S FLOW!!! - Jonathan -www.808crate.com

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Permalink Reply by DaKingDavid on March 14, 2010 at 6:01pm

parents need to have more influence on their children than some "how low can you go" rap song on television, but i definitely feel you in saying some of the words in the music are crazy. too much of rap and r&b have raunchy, blunt, out in the open lyrics. i dont know if its being ignored by parents. i think it has been desensitized tho. the more you see the sex violence and drugs.. the more it becomes "normal" to you.

seems like everything that "should" be censored a bit more, isnt. and the things that the world needs to see/hear/read are put in the background, and you have to take the initiative to FIND it yourself.. kinda ass backwards if u ask me...


i do like the idea of making your own cds of music you would want to be influential to your children. that way you have control of the content.

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Permalink Reply by Aishah on April 10, 2010 at 5:15pm

LOL... I will take that bit of sarcasim, I knew you were a funny guy! I doubt you were serious when you said you love that song! I feel that EVERYTHING you said was true and insightful! I am aware of how Luda and MOST southern artists got their start, I just don't feel like it is a reason to expose the children of OUR community or children in general to these types of lyrics! I didn't know that the power lies in the hands of the radio station itself! Its really unforetunate that EVERYONE isn't looking out for the best interest of these kids, and BECAUSE most of the parents of the community are dancing to the music themselves.... It is because of this that I feel like SOMEONE has to take responsibility for what is happening! NOT what HAS happened, because noone can change how Blacks WERE treated, but because we NOW HAVE the POWER to be GREAT, it's going to take those that are in the position to speak out to say the RIGHT things to HELP change the frame of mind that we were FORCED into ! So, all the rappers and singers and speakers are ping to have to be one step ahead of the mentality of the community to lead them, us to a better future and way of living! If we continue to say the same things on record then the kids will continue to listen because their parents allow them to and the youth will grow and make the SAME MISTAKES! Selling drugs, having sex which leads to having kids early and diseases..... Families NEED HELP raising these children and the music industry AINT HELPING!!!!!

Talib Kweli said:

I LOVE How Low Can You Go. It is a great record, and Luda has been making these type of records since he came in the game with What's Your Fantasy, which was actually more provocative than this is. Ludacris is a grown ass man who started is career in Atlanta nightclubs, which lean heavily towards strip club music. There is nothing at all wrong with an adult artist making music for adults. It is never correct to blame or police artists for these type of records, and all music has a context in which it works. However you are correct that this record should not be the record you hear on the radio when you pick up your child from school.That is the fault of the program director of a station who is using sex and violence to drive up ratings for his station. It's the American way, we spend more money on that stuff than anything. You have a couple of choices. Start a campaign to get more positive music on the radio, or do what dead prez suggest, and simply turn off that bullshit. If you don't listen, and are honest with your child about what these songs represent, it cannot hurt you or your family.

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