October 2003 Wuggie's Music, Media and More . . . .
Ratings System:
++ Christian - made specifically by Christians for Christians
+ Secular - but contains nothing offensive to most Christians, probably made by Christians trying to exert influence in secular media.
M Mature content. Not necessarily offensive, but parents should be careful before allowing exposure to children and pre-teens.
X Mature content. For mature teens, firm in their convictions and morals, who have received much parental guidance.
XX Contains very mature, problematic content. Parents should seriously consider restricting exposure to teens.
XXX Completely offensive. Not only should teens be restricted, but adults may want to question their own exposure.
Various Artists / The Neptunes Present… Clones / XXX
The Neptunes are a pair of hot rap producers, Pharrell Williams and Chad Yugo. They decided to cash in on their 15 minutes of fame by compiling a disc full of hits by the many artists they've produced. It's no wonder that the CD debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts, since it's a download buster. People who download music from the Internet (an illegal, albeit widespread practice) often complain that they don't want to pay $16 for one or two hit songs. Kudos to the music industry for releasing a disc with at least a dozen full fledged hits on it. People are evidently responding by buying the disc instead of downloading it. But, I digress. I recommend that you think twice before either buying it or downloading it. Not only do the 'Various Artists' comprise a list of who's who in the rap world, (Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dog, Ludacris, Nelly, etc.) but they are also are intent on making the rap world synonymous with cuss words, casual sex, degradation of women. This is definitely a compilation of the worst morality the rap world has to offer. Try KJ-52, Grits, or John Reuben as Christian alternatives.
Bow Wow / Unleashed / X
Quote from Girl's Life Magazine, Sept. 03 - "One of the best things about Bow Wow is that he doesn't rap vulgar lyrics like so many other rappers do. 'I feel real good about being a role model, because so many kids are looking up to me already.', says Bow Wow. Finally teens … had a rapper whose lyrics they could chant without their [pa]rents spazzing out." Parents beware! Don't believe everything you read! Check everything out for yourself! I guess it's all relative, of course. Spend some good quality time with the Neptunes disc, and then switch over to Bow Wow, and you'll think you're back on the light side of the moon. I couldn't find any cuss words on this disc. There are only vague references to women as objects, and nobody is threatening any cops. That doesn't mean that Christian parents are embracing Bow Wow as their newly adopted son, or being happy with their daughters chanting his lyrics. Check out some sample lyrics for yourself:
Take an a-a-aphrodisiac, don't do no-no-nothing, just relax If you want to fall in love with somebody Somebody that you're not in love with at all
Sex gang children gang up on you, jump on top, on top of you Make love, make love, make love to you, one two three four five miles high At the Mile High Club
Parents can make their own call.
Ashanti / Chapter II / X
There is only one thing on Ashanti's mind: love. Ok, maybe two: sex. She certainly equates the two. One means the other, and absolutely every song is about it. There are no bad words, and she doesn't push the envelope as many around her do. Mature teens who can understand the distinction between having romantic feelings for someone and having sex with them are not about to be corrupted by Ashanti. Parents of pre-teens may decide to allow this CD along with a healthy, non-threatening discussion about these topics first. Not ready for the discussion? Then not ready for the CD. Try Mary Mary or Stacey Orrico as Christian alternatives.
Matchbox 20 / More than you think you are / M
Christian parents like Matchbox 20. I couldn't give them a +, because they are not Christian. Matchbox 20 are simply really good musicians who are not afraid to let their musical ability stand on its own. They don't need gimmicks, they don't need to push the envelope, they don't need to stoop into the gutter to get attention. I wouldn't hesitate to let a child of any age listen to Matchbox 20.
Staind / 14 Shades of Grey / X
Yes, the guys in staind have piercings and tatoos, and they have a very aggressive stage presence and videos. Staind's lyrics, however, are not as 'in your face' as many of their peers. They explore some deep subjects like loneliness, emptiness, frustration with life, and other feelings which are realities to teens. What I like is that they explore these subjects with a positive message that is usually consistent with Christian value systems. The disc contains one song, Fill Me Up, which while it never mentions Jesus or God, could easily be a Contemporary Christian praise song. Unfortunately, you will find some swearing on some of the songs, which is why I gave it an X.
Rewind
These artists are also in heavy rotation on local radio stations. Visit www.RedeemerBirmingham.org and click on 'Wuggie's Music, Media, and More' (center column, half way down) for full past reviews of these artists.
Beyonce / Dangerously In Love / X Christian alt: Joy Williams
Justin Timberlake / Justified X Christians alt: Newsboys
50 Cent / Get Rich or Die Tryin' / XXX Christian alt: Grits
Kelly Clarkson / X Christian alt: Stacey Orrico
Michelle Branch / Spirit Room / + Buy this CD!
Quotebook
"If parents would admit they are wrong sometimes, then so would teens - and it would improve the relationship between us." 16 year old anonymous youth group member