"soulja boy"

[funkygranolamama]

Have any of you heard this song?

My dd's friend came over the other day and they looked it up on youtube to let me hear it because they were all excited about it. It was the (somewhat) clean version. I listened to the lyrics: supersoak that ohhhhhhh! superman that ohhhhhhhhhh!

I asked them what the lyrics meant and her friend said they're different dances "the superman" "the supersoak", etc. I said okay that's weird, but okay.

My dh came home from work and I told him about that song and he asked if I knew what that song was about. I told him what the girl said and he said she may THINK that's what it's about, but it's not (he learned about it at work). Substitute all the ohhhhhhh! for ho and that's the regular version of the song. Then he explained what supersoaking and supermaning a ho is and I don't think I can post that here, but it's really bad for preteens running around singing this song and REALLY degrading to women.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a censorship fanatic, but I like to watch what my kids are taking in as far as media goes and this song is a goner for me. Even the clean version ain't so clean now I know what that stuff means.

My dh actually asked me to come post this here so people would be more aware of what kids may be listening to.

[ktbug]

The 12-year old that I tutor asked me if I'd heard the song and if I knew what "superman" was ... Oh, did I feel old and out-of-touch.
Then when I found out what it was all about ... I just felt creeped out that 12-year olds are listening to and talking about that kind of thing for recreation.

On new years' eve we went to the town square where they had a kids' karaoke stage set up (among other activities). All these 8-9-10-11 year old kids getting up singing this Soulja Boy song, and London Bridge, by Fergie, and other basically unsavory material. Parents: laughing and taking pictures. Me: rolling my eyes and throwing up a little in my mouth.

These kids today, I swear ...

[~Megan~]

I'm not sure what it means but if its the kind of thing I think it might be I'd not feel comfortable.

I know teens are interested in sex but we can at least encourage them to think of sex in respectful and hopefully loving terms. Not just using the body of another person or degrading them.

[ktbug]

Originally Posted by ~Megan~

I'm not sure what it means but if its the kind of thing I think it might be I'd not feel comfortable.

I know teens are interested in sex but we can at least encourage them to think of sex in respectful and hopefully loving terms. Not just using the body of another person or degrading them.

Yeah, agreed, and this is decidedly disrespectful. I wouldn't put it in the same blatantly misogynist category as, say, certain choice material by Limp BIzkit or NWA, but it's gross, silly, and not at all appropriate for a preteen.

I mean, if that's the first introduction you have, as an adolescent, to what adults do in the bedroom, you're going to go through early adulthood with quite a warped sense of boundaries and propriety.

But, on the other hand, what do we do as a society? I know what we do as parents, but I don't see any kind of collective action to take that wouldn't amount to censorship, hysteria arising from a generation gap, or simply giving this stupid song more attention and notoriety than it deserves.

[funkygranolamama]

when i heard the unrated version after kids bedtime, it really reminded me of back when i listened to 2 live crew. of course, my parents didn't know i was listening to that and would have freaked if they did.

i have a little more supervision over my dd than they did me. my dd will not be listening to soulja boy anymore.

oh yeah, there is a video on youtube of a ballet class routine to this song. the dance is good, i wish they'd picked a better song to put it with.

[UnschoolnMa]

My Dd loves the song, and maybe more importantly the dance to the song. It's extremely popular right now. Just check Youtube for about 8,000 different versions.

We talk about lyrics a lot in our family and this song is no exception. My Dd is aware that many songs she finds catchy have lyrics that talk about things she personally may not value, but in many cases she can seperate the lyrics from enjoying the sound or beat of a song. She doesn't think of/ refer to women as "ho's" and she wouldn't think too highly of someone who did, but none of that is necessary to enjoy the song. For example, I really like "Soldier" by Destiny's Child. I find the lyrics a bit silly, but the song overall always has caught my attention and made me feel happy or upbeat. That's a good thing right? Hearing lyrics doesn't mean we have to agree with what they are talking about.

Everyone has their own limits of course, and they are likely going to be different for everyone. We don't censor media, but we do talk about it a lot. It's an interesting subject.

[UnschoolnMa]

Originally Posted by funkygranolamama

when i heard the unrated version after kids bedtime, it really reminded me of back when i listened to 2 live crew. of course, my parents didn't know i was listening to that and would have freaked if they did..

OMG, I almost forgot about 2 Live Crew! Do you remember the controversy over them getting banned, protests, courtroom stuff? I wasn't a fan of them (found them tacky and the sound really brash) but I was totally on their side that whole mess.

[LotusBirthMama]

i play this video for ds2 and he goes nuts bouncing up and down...

[Jenlaana]

personally I'm with unschoolnma on this one. I don't censor my son's music at all, but instead we talk about the lyrics. I'm a bit pickier about video games and movies, but for me, music is something you can enjoy without agreeing with what is said to a point where I Feel its worth letting it go.

My son is going to be exposed to these things anyways and I would rather he understand it and make the choice for himself if he wants to listen to it, with a good foundation of knowledge about what it is and what it means. So far that philosophy has worked well. My son is a pain in the butt at times, but he has a great foundation of values about this sort of thing.

[fek&fuzz]

i just think back to when I was little and dancing around to Grease Lightening and then later I found out the lyrics said "she's a real pussy wagon" and "chicks'll cream". It just went over my head back then.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz

i just think back to when I was little and dancing around to Grease Lightening and then later I found out the lyrics said "she's a real pussy wagon" and "chicks'll cream". It just went over my head back then.

I loved that song!

[funkygranolamama]

Originally Posted by LotusBirthMama

i play this video for ds2 and he goes nuts bouncing up and down...

THAT'S the one I'm talking about! Yes, I'm a sucker for good choreography and that's a great dance!

What I'm wondering is those of you who talk to your kids about the meaning of the lyrics with your kids: Do you explain to them what supersoaking and supermanning a ho means, literally? I don't know how old your kids are, but I just don't feel right telling my 10 yo the meaning of that.

[Cherie2]

Originally Posted by fek&fuzz

i just think back to when I was little and dancing around to Grease Lightening and then later I found out the lyrics said "she's a real pussy wagon" and "chicks'll cream". It just went over my head back then.

this is exactly what i was thinking

[Jenlaana]

Originally Posted by funkygranolamama

What I'm wondering is those of you who talk to your kids about the meaning of the lyrics with your kids: Do you explain to them what supersoaking and supermanning a ho means, literally? I don't know how old your kids are, but I just don't feel right telling my 10 yo the meaning of that.

No, I dont explain anything graphically. I would, for example, refer to those as a slang references to sexual acts, and I've talked about what "ho" means to my son before, in regards to it being a derrogatory way of referring to someone who has sex indiscriminantly.

my spelling is horrific here but you get my point

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

No, I dont explain anything graphically. I would, for example, refer to those as a slang references to sexual acts

I agree with this. I also don't offer information or explanations unless asked.

[UnschoolnMa]

Originally Posted by funkygranolamama

THAT'S the one I'm talking about! Yes, I'm a sucker for good choreography and that's a great dance!

What I'm wondering is those of you who talk to your kids about the meaning of the lyrics with your kids: Do you explain to them what supersoaking and supermanning a ho means, literally? I don't know how old your kids are, but I just don't feel right telling my 10 yo the meaning of that.

Well, at that age my kids already had quite a bit of info about sex so it might not have been an issue. I'd have just said something about how it's slang for sexual activities, and then we could have gone on from there.

In this case with this song Dd was the one who explained (the lyrics) it to me! "Check this out mom... did you know he that he actually says...."

[MarineWife]

I caught a little bit of VH1s 100 Best Songs of the 80s last night. Anyone else see that? Def Leppard's Poor Some Sugar on Me. If that isn't sexual innuendo, I don't know what is. I did know the song was about sex when I was a teen and listening to it but I'm not sure if I knew exactly what it all meant. Anyway, I think I turned out all right in spite of listening to that dirty, filthy rock and roll music.

[moondiapers]

Originally Posted by MarineWife

I caught a little bit of VH1s 100 Best Songs of the 80s last night. Anyone else see that? Def Leppard's Poor Some Sugar on Me. If that isn't sexual innuendo, I don't know what is. I did know the song was about sex when I was a teen and listening to it but I'm not sure if I knew exactly what it all meant. Anyway, I think I turned out all right in spite of listening to that dirty, filthy rock and roll music.

I don't have a problem with sexual inuendo or occasional profanity, but I DO have a problem when sex is presented in a dirty, disrespectful way. A lot of these songs are about rape, calling girls/woman Ho's and worse etc. "Pour some sugar on me" is sexy but not dirty KWIM?

[`guest`]

I was into the underground rap scene in the mid 80s and it was pretty bad. Drugs, sex, you name it. I thought all the lyrics were cool. I really liked Prince...he was nasty. I think kids are naturally attracted to this type of stuff, but you just have to trust that what you model at home and have taught them will (hopefully) override external influences. My 19 yr old is extremely respectful of women and listens to some stuff I don't really like now I am an old fuddy dud. he sees it as artistic expression.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by SMUM

I was into the underground rap scene in the mid 80s and it was pretty bad. Drugs, sex, you name it. I thought all the lyrics were cool. I really liked Prince...he was nasty. I think kids are naturally attracted to this type of stuff, but you just have to trust that what you model at home and have taught them will (hopefully) override external influences. My 19 yr old is extremely respectful of women and listens to some stuff I don't really like now I am an old fuddy dud. he sees it as artistic expression.

Yep, that's my point. We don't give teens enough credit for being able to separate music, art, fantasy, video games, whatever, from real life. I watched Tom & Jerry when I was a very young child. It never even crossed my mind that it was okay or harmless to smash someone over the head with a frying pan. If we're open and honest with our teens and children and talk to them about our values and model what we consider decent or appropriate behavior, they'll get it. It's counterproductive to freak out over every latest shocking thing that comes out or becomes popular.