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Phrenology

(2002, Hip-hop, by The Roots, Label: Maverick)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Mature themes in sophisticated hip-hop.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Socially conscious and positive most of the time.

  • Violence:

    Some references to fighting and guns.

  • Sex:

    Explicit sexual references (especially "Break You Off," "The Seed," and "P----y Galore").

  • Language:

    It's no Quentin Tarantino film, but there's some swearing.

  • Consumerism:

    The Roots avoid flaunting the gaudy lifestyle usually brandished in popular rap.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    References to marijuana, cocaine, and alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Phrenology

Parents need to know that this album contains some mature content (sex, violence, drug abuse), but strays from the stereotypes that burden most commercial hip-hop. Instead, we get something more creative, intelligent, and eclectic.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about their pick of interesting issues addressed by the album's lyrics: love, friendship, determination, sacrifice, drug abuse, violence, and sex in marketing.
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