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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that if your kids insist on listening to rap or hip-hop, this might be a decent compromise. There's minimal profanity (one use of the word "bulls--t" and the "N" word comes up a few times). Sexual innuendo is barely a flutter with phrases like "we use to kiss" or "wanna get up in it." There are some references to drugs in the tracks "Colors" and "Change," but in the sense of what needs to be changed about the "the hood."

Families can talk about the way that many singers "cover" other singers' songs or incorporate them into their music, the way Kingston does on many of his, such as "I Can Feel It" (Phil Collins) and "Beautiful Girls" (Stand By Me). Does this make the original singers/songs more popular? Does it make the new song more interesting or marketable? Do you feel like it's cheating or banking on someone else's creativity when an artist does this?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Jessica Dawson

Sean Kingston's self-titled debut album SEAN KINGSTON is a mediocre, but well-intentioned mix of reggae and rap with a little doo-wop thrown in to keep things interesting. Born in Miami, but raised both in Jamaica and the U.S., Kingston does manage to bring his own flavor with a fun blend of sounds, lyrics, and Jamaican dialect.

This 17-year-old has such a baby face that you can't help but give him the benefit of the doubt. His hit single "Beautiful Girls" is on the album, and is definitely the best track. Kingston is due some credit for his fresh attempt on reggae/hip-hop with simple, young lyrics and a little doo-wop thrown in the mix. The album also has the usual lineup of remixes ("Colors"), some faux gangsta rap, and a little R&B, but Kingston's fans might be better served if he just sticks to what he's good at; clean reggae-influenced style that's great for radio play -- worthy of those cute pinchable cheeks.

For more reggae infused with rap, fans might enjoy Wyclef Jean or Stephen Marley.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content A few hints at innuendo ("booty so big/just tryin to get up in it," "we used to kiss and caress," and "I want a piece of that forbidden fruit").
Violence Nothing explicit or overly graphic ("We can go to the slums/where killas get hung/little kid wit guns only 15/roamin' the streets up to no good" and "gang bangin' I inherited from my mother"). The track "Colors" refers to gangs and violence: "my people die over colors."
Language A few words here and there: "bulls--t" once, "bastard," and the "N" word a few times on "Colors."
Message
	Social Behavior Overall message about being successful and good despite upbringing or bad influences; playful talk about pimpin' the clubs, but nothing sexist or too promiscuous.
	Commercialism Few references, but not bombarded: Kodak, Coke, Bacardi, Ferrari. Mentions other artists like Dr. Dre, Diddy, and Rihanna.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Mentions the drink Coke and Bacardi, "puffin' on crack and marijuana," but in reference to what needs to be changed about "the hood." Says "smoke chronic" in "Colors."

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