Last week I was riding around with my stepson Mike Nice listening to the radio when he asked me a simple question. Now keep in mind he's only 10 years old. Now back to the car ride, while riding his favorite R&B artists Chris Brown came on the radio with the song titled "Wet The Bed" featuring Ludacris. Myself I was kind of zoned out not really paying any attention to what Chris was saying in the song. Then out of no-where came the question from my stepson. He asked " Why and how would Chris Brown make the lady wet the bed"? I was like what!!!! He asked again and I couldn't believe that I wasn't paying attention to what was playing on the radio. Now deep down inside I was pissed because I was caught slipping and the question was still on the table and he wanted an answer. My personal view I believe a parent should be in-tune with his or her child to identify if the child is ready for that conversation. So I did what ever other parent would've done. I turned the radio station and said "boy what is this garbage you're listening to". And that was that, I had to get out of that situation as fast as possible. Now of-course we will revisit that topic in a couple of years but damn Chris Brown, 107.9 and B.E.T can you guys clean it up just a little bit?
Even though I was upset, as I write this I can't keep from laughing because I know better and was surprised with that question. Now I love music and really love the edgy trend that these modern R&B acts are coming with. Singers like Trey Songz, Usher, Rihanna and Chris Brown are what I like to call Blazin R&B artists. That mean these modern R&B artists are pushing the lyrical envelope with the same subject matters that can often be heard in rap songs. I can remember when R&B was written with a lot of metaphorical jargon. In the day's of Motown wordsmiths like Smokey Robinson and Marvin Gaye inked some of the hottest R&B songs ever that didn't say things straight out . Songs like I wish it would rain by the Temptations and Marvin Gaye's Let's get it on was written from a very creative place. Now in modern R&B that creativity has been replaced with gangsta bravado and straight up x rated lyrics and visuals. That's right over the years we went from The Temptation's hit song My Girl to Jeremiah's hit song Birthday Sex. Even other songs by Marvin Gaye like Sexual Healing and Teddy Pendergrass didn't really seem all that bad. With all that being said I do understand the nature of music business. For those that don't know what I'm talking about- it's simple. The song Sexual Healing and Teddy Pendergrass' Turn out the lights was some of their biggest hits. Now the true nature of the music business is to repeat success. If those type of records have always been successful than we will continue to hear those type of songs.
In all honesty this current generation of R&B fan has been somewhat desensitized. Meaning the things that we thought was taboo is easily excepted by them. Since the emergence of the internet sexual images, graphic murders and homosexuality have become the norm. Many other things like television, movies and video games have all played a part in desensitizing our youth. I could go on and on instead I will say this. The music business is not interested in mind elevating your children. The truth is THEY'RE only interested in your money. Until the next time have some fun and get something done.
