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Love & Life

(2003, R&b, by Mary J. Blige, Label: Geffen Records)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Soul Queen covers a range of emotions about life.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Some powerful self-image-boosting material juxtaposed with lyrics like "I'll do what you want if you don't hurt me" (in "Ooh!") make the overall message confusing.

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Suggestive sexuality --lots!-- but very little that's explicit.

  • Language:

    A "s--t" and "N" word here and there, but not all that often.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    There's "a fifth by my side" in "Don't Go." Love as an addiction is a whole other story......
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Love & Life

Parents need to know that Mary's message careens from girlfriend solidarity to racial pride to giving up way too much for love. There's some God stuff in there, too. In a way, the songs cancel each other out. Younger listeners might have a question or two.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about artists singing about their personal lives. Do you like it when singers divulge details of their good and bad times? Do you think personal stories add to a song? In what way?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  2. Adult Reviewer
    mc2004
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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