American Gangster (by Jay-Z, Hip-hop)
common sense media says
Honest look at thug life has drugs, some violence.
parents & educators say
- 33% say language is an issue
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that despite its title, this album isn't connected with the movie -- and contains much less violence than it could have. Other than in the song "Ignorant S--t," where Jay-Z talks about shooting someone, and a mention of a gun here and there, the CD really doesn't glorify the violence in thug life. It does, however, talk about working the streets selling drugs, and celebrates making money through the drug trade, but covers the consequences. There's plenty of swearing (f--k, bitch, s--t, ass) and the "N" word.
Violence:
The most violent thing on the album is the angry "Ignorant S--t" --"And with that said, I will kill N----- dead/Cut N----- short, give you wheels for legs/I'm a K-I-double-L-E-R, see y'all in Hell/Shoot N----- straight through the E.R." The intro has gunshots and some of the tracks talk about owning a gun. Most of the violence has a consequence ("bullet wounds'll stop your buffoonery/thanks to the pastor rapping at your eulogy").
Sex:
"I grind slower than out in time" is the worst it gets. A couple of "bitches" here and there.
Language:
Jay-Z is loose with the language; most songs have at least one swear word (f--k, bitch, s--t, ass). He also uses the "N" word freely. "Ignorant S--t" is one long list of profanity.
Consumerism:
Lexus, Timberland, Pepsi, Rolls Royce, Porsche, and more.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
"Party Life" compares lust to heroin ("she want those heroin tracks/that Sugar Hill, she call me her sweet thing/That Black Rain that take away your pain"). Some other drug references: "table full of powder," "head to the heights where big coke is processed," and "dope needles on the ground."
More on American Gangster
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
yoyo123
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
best cd ever!!!!!!!!!
if you have ever heard jay-z you haven't heard him like this before it is the best cd i have ever heard the violence has a message their is almost no sex in it their are a little bit of language i mean every song at least has a fu*k or a sh*t also some b*tches here and there and if you are offended by n*gger then this is not for you but it does in the end have a really good message to it anyway in all it is defiantly the best cd you could buy at this time
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meg10
adult
adult
LOved it !!
jay z is an old school rapper with knowlege about everything. I really liked this cd, and the vidio's that he came out with were hott! only jay z could get all the top rappers in one room and just chill and party like that. this cd is not for kids but for true lovers of hip hop.
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Nico9000
adult
adult
I nominate it for album of the year
This is a amazing album and apropriate for most ages. Sex:4 Not to bad just a few references. Violence: 5 In ignorant sh*t it has a few violence. Language:7 15 F-words, 20 uses of sh*t, 3 asses, 30 N-words and a few faggots.
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BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Lyrically a masterpiece on some tracks
Nothing your kids haven't heard in a middle school lunchroom. Great production, and Hov chooses his guest artists very wisely. Most will not understand the gravity of the lyrics Jigga is saying, about growing up in the streets, about the his father abandoning. Some tracks are also just club hits. Not for anyone younger than 13.
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