Music is powerful. There is no denying it. Kids are sponges. There is no denying that fact either. There is a new video floating around the web that touches on both these facts, but I’m questioning did they go to far to prove a point?
The video sets out to show the power of today’s rap lyrics. Why they chose to focus on these songs out of the plethora of great rap music out today is beyond me. The kids recite explicit lyrics from some of 2012-2013’s biggest hits. 2 Chainz is clearly made the star of the video and his doesn’t even make an appearance. The clip was created by Jimmy Smith II and Jarrel Smith of Los Angeles-based agency Amusement Park.
“We just wanted to hold up a mirror to the types of messages we pump into our heads all day,” the Smiths said during an interview with fastcocreate.com. “We hope this film pushes some of our favorite, super-talented artists to push themselves toward more honest and balanced art. Not cleaner or censored, but honest. If rappers rapped about Hot Wheels and ice cream on every song it wouldn’t be honest, either. But if you have 12 songs about money, where are the songs about the things money does not fix? Nobody is perfect, but as creatives we can always be honest. Honesty–it’s what makes truly great art, great.”
Now, I cursed when I listened to music as a kid, not around my parents, but I still cursed. I’m in no position to tell a person how to raise their kids, let alone the music they listen to. However, I do feel that this PSA missed the mark by letting these kids state the lyrics in the nonchalant manner in which they did. It doesn’t make them ANY better than artists who rap them. Maybe I’m overreacting? What do you think about the “Kids” video. Check it out below.
