Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that Hip Hop Harry -- the star of the Discovery Kids TV show -- delivers wholesome, positive messages to preschoolers, via minimally-produced and repetitive hip-hop songs.
Families can talk about the difference between seeing something on TV and listening to the music on its own. Do you think the Hip Hop Harry songs are just as exciting without the lively dancing that accompanies them on TV? Maybe you could write your own songs about washing your face, drinking water, or going to the library.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
The educational philosophy on Hip Hop Harry's Web site is expressed with a lot of big words and concepts -- unlike the actual music, which is as simple and repetitive as can be. Each of the 12 songs on PARTY JAMS! expresses one (and only one) concept, with a direct and rather preachy message about doing something that is good for you: drinking water instead of juice, getting a good night's sleep, washing your hands, going to the library, etc.
With minimalistic synthesized tracks and HPH's goofy-sounding monotone vocals, these songs are not for older siblings or adults -- or even very young children with evolved imaginations or actual musical taste. But they are appealing and fun in small doses, and drive their positive messages home with single-minded focus.
Fans looking for truly brilliant children's music might want to check out Class of 3000: Music Volume One, They Might Be Giants' Here Come the 123s, and Have You Never Been Yellow?.
Rate It!
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Violence |
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Message |
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Social BehaviorEach songs has one very clear and positive message about one aspect of taking care of yourself and/or your friends; the titles ("Teamwork" "Never Give Up" "I Love to Learn") say it all. |
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CommercialismCD insert contains ads for other products -- plush bears, T-shirts, etc. |
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Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco |
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