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Kala

(2007, Dancehall/reggae, by M.I.A., Label: Interscope Records)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Sassy feminism mixed with some 4-letter words.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    This singer is all about being strong and not taking any grief from anyone.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A couple of references to guns and war, but nothing too graphic: "When you go Rwanda Congo/Take me on ya genocide tour/Take me on a truck to Darfur/Take me where you would go."
  • Sex:

    "So they selfish little roamers/Jumpin' girl to girl/Make us meat like burgers," "I was born out of dirt like I'm porn in a skirt," and "Indian tribesmen gamble spades/Indian chicks, they get men laid."
  • Language:

    M.I.A. likes to use four-letter words, mostly "s--t."
  • Consumerism:

    Honda, Hummer, Cadillac, Versace, Heineken, Hershey, and Ray-Ban are all mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    M.I.A. likes to talk about substances, but usually not in an abusive manner: "How many tequilas in the place/How many beers are in the case?" and "And I don't mean us in the bush making meth/Boys if you catch meth you catch your death."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Kala

Parents need to know that Maya Arulpragasm (aka M.I.A.) delights in throwing the usual four-letter words around in these rich, multilayered sound tapestries. There are also references to violence, product brand names, sexual encounters, and drugs and alcohol, delivered with such a sense of gleeful, self-empowering fun (not to mention no-nonsense feminism) that many may choose to overlook (or not even catch) the explicit content just this once.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the concept of being multicultural, or "global." Maya is the daughter of British-based Sri Lankan refugees, and the album was recorded in India, Trinidad, Australia, London, New York, and Baltimore. What makes this CD sound "international"? Do you think that being raised in a different culture affects songwriting, musical arrangements, and social and political priorities? Can you guess which tracks were recorded in which cities or countries?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Something fresh and different!

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Nebraska
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Mostly Clean Fun

    Some bad stuff but I would consider it clean. You really can't hear what the exact lyrics are, so bad lyrics aren't a problem. The beats and sound effects are really cool and ethnic.

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