Handpicked by Our Editors

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)
Age 3+
4

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

Why We Recommend It

Feel like a broken record about clean hands? This cute ditty may make an impression and send kids to the sink.

Read our full review
From Elmo to Eminem you can trust our children's music reviews.

Kids of all ages love music. For our littlest children, music helps build vocabulary and coordination. For our older kids, music expresses passions and angst. But finding kids' music that has messages you feel comfortable with can take some homework on parents' part. Luckily, our reviews give you what you need to know to choose and manage kids' music.

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New Music Reviews

showing: hip-hop
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Man on the Moon: The End of Day by Kid Cudi
Parents Need to Know...

although Kid Cudi sings mellow, thought-provoking rhymes, there's too much profanity and sexual references to make this album OK for kids. Talk of pot-smoking and women's bodies, plus lots of the "N" word make this album a no-no ... read more

Age 15+
Man on the Moon: The End of Day
4
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THE E.N.D (Energy Never Dies) by The Black Eyed Peas
Parents Need to Know...

that for the most part this is a clean album, but expletives and mature references are sprinkled throughout. Many songs are fine for teens. "One Tribe" and "Generation Now" actually raise important issues. However some songs like ... read more

Age 15+
THE E.N.D (Energy Never Dies)
5
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Fantasy Ride by Ciara
Parents Need to Know...

that while this album doesn't contain a lot of four-letters words, the sexy nature of many of the songs makes it questionable for kids' ears. Although the sexy messages are generally shrouded in metaphors and analogies, savvy listeners ... read more

Age 15+
Fantasy Ride
3
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"You're a Jerk" (CD single) by New Boyz
Parents Need to Know...

that while the jerkin' dance style isn't particularly risque, this song itself includes some mature content, including swearing and sexual references.  read more

Age 14+
"You're a Jerk" (CD single)
3
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"Knock You Down" (CD single) by Keri Hilson
Parents Need to Know...

that this R&B/hip-hop single is clean. The phrase "knock you down" is used to mean getting caught off guard by an intense jolt of feelings. read more

Age 12+
"Knock You Down" (CD single)
4
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"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" (CD single) by Pitbull
Parents Need to Know...

this song straddles the fence between risque and OK. It doesn't have lots of the explicit language like other rap singles, but it does include some significant sexual innuendo that might or might not go over young listeners heads. The ... read more

Age 14+
"I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" (CD single)
3
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"Right Round" (CD single) by Flo Rida
Parents Need to Know...

even if this song is upbeat and fun, it's still a song about strippers and one man's desires as he ogles them. The women are shown as wanting the narrator's money and the sex/money dynamic is firmly in place here. read more

Age 16+
"Right Round" (CD single)
4
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"Kiss Me Thru the Phone" (CD single) by Soulja Boy
Parents Need to Know...

that this is an R&B-inflected hip-hop love song whose lyrics never get steamier than the sincere request of a lovesick protagonist for his girlfriend to "kiss me through the phone. And, in a departure from his ... read more

Age 13+
"Kiss Me Thru the Phone" (CD single)
3
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Thr33 Ringz by T-Pain
Parents Need to Know...

that although this album has a circus theme, it's definitely not kid friendly; this is a gritty, sexually infused performance. Although somewhat toned down from his previous releases, T-Pain's common topics are the same: drinking, ... read more

No Kids
Thr33 Ringz
3
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"Dead and Gone" (CD single) by T.I.
Parents Need to Know...

that even though violent imagery and explicit language pervades this song, the message is admirable. T.I. raps about how people easily fall victim to urban violence. But he doesn't glamorize this lifestyle; instead he tells listeners that ... read more

Age 15+
"Dead and Gone" (CD single)
4
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Reiterate by Grits
Parents Need to Know...

that Grits -- one of the more accomplished acts in the realm of Christian rap -- performs critically acclaimed music while sticking with their beliefs and delivering positive messages. read more

Age 10+
Reiterate
4
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Brass Knuckles by Nelly
Parents Need to Know...

that there are no holds barred here in terms of racist and explicit language and sexist posturing (status-wise, women are equated to designer clothing and nice cars). Some clothing brands are mentioned, and the title invites violent ... read more

No Kids
Brass Knuckles
2
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The Quilt by Gym Class Heroes
Parents Need to Know...

that this is the fourth full-length album from this buzzworthy hip-hop band who collaborated with an impressive roster of star power. Four-letter words run rampant on the album, which mostly deals with adult themes, including cheating, ... read more

Age 14+
The Quilt
3
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Shwayze by Shwayze
Parents Need to Know...

that Shwayze is completely inappropriate for young kids, tweens, and even most teens. Although the music is mellow and the duo fun loving, the album makes light of anonymous sex, constant pot smoking, and hard partying with prescription ... read more

No Kids
Shwayze
3
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"Marco Polo" (CD Single) by Bow Wow
Parents Need to Know...

that this hip-hop "duet" features obscene language ("f--k," "fags," "p---y," and the "N" word a lot) and talks about money, hoes, and showing off material things. The music video shows a bunch of girls in skimpy bikinis dancing around Bow ... read more

Age 15+
"Marco Polo" (CD Single)
2
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Untitled by Nas
Parents Need to Know...

that there is very strong language (the "N" word, "f--k," just to name a few) and content about controversial topics (race, inequality, poverty, power, the KKK, Nazis) that may be too direct for younger ears and minds to digest. There is ... read more

Age 17+
Untitled
4
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"Don't Trust Me" (CD single) by 3OH!3
Parents Need to Know...

that this track earns its parental advisory label, with the group giving a pretty caustic account of a guy who's upset that his girl refuses his desires. The edited version of the song isn't much different, simply bleeping out f--k but ... read more

Age 15+
"Don't Trust Me" (CD single)
3
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"Best Best" (CD single) by Missy Elliott
Parents Need to Know...

that this song has some mature sexual themes. Elliott talks about how much she loves her boyfriend, explaining how she fantasizes about him on her bed, what great sex they have, and how impressive a certain body part of his is. Elliott ... read more

Age 15+
"Best Best" (CD single)
3
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No Introduction by Tyga
Parents Need to Know...

that although the debut track "Coconut Juice" is a veiled anthem for partying and drinking, most of the songs on this album are rather tame. There are no explicit lyrics, no disparaging women, and few references to gratuitous violence. ... read more

Age 13+
No Introduction
4
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Epiphany by T-Pain
Parents Need to Know...

that there's explicit content, racist language, and a "let me get you drunk so we can get it on" ethos front and center on this CD. On "I Got It" T-Pain greets the news that his lover has HIV with compassion, then on "Suicide" goes on to ... read more

No Kids
Epiphany
2
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Voice of the Young People by Lil Mama
Parents Need to Know...

that every now and then this rapper does throw down some heavy topics about life in the hood that includes teenage pregnancy, abuse, poverty, and foster care, but as pure observation and as a source of positive inspiration for ... read more

Age 13+
Voice of the Young People
2

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Common Sense Media's music reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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