Battle of the Sexes (by Ludacris, Rap)

common sense media says

Entertaining but over-sexed hip-hop LP is for adults only.

parents & educators say

100% say sexual content is an issue
100% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album is completely off limits for kids. Even the edited version isn't safe (you still hear all the sexy stuff like moans, and a lot of the profanities are still obvious). The main offender is sexual content, and there's a whole lot of it. Profanity, violence, and substance abuse are all on display, as well.

Positive messages: Although there are brief moments where gender inequality is acknowledged ("if men sleep around they be saying we players, but for women they be saying hey h-"), the overriding message, however, is that women need to be available to satisfy men's sexual needs, and this is what defines a woman's self worth. "I don't take her on no date." "Don't call me after midnight unless we havin' sex."

Positive role models: Sex, sex, sex: that's what listeners will come away with. Cheating is seen as an everyday occurrence, and men treat women like objects. "My chick do stuff that your chick wish she could."

Violence: "I knock a bitch out and [she] comin' out swingin' like Tiger Woods' wife." There are a few references to domestic violence and/or rough sex.

Sex: Where do we begin?! There is talk of sexual positions, penetration, oral sex, stripper poles, and explicit references to sexual activities. Private body parts are also discussed in detail with lots of slang terms used.

Language: Every expletive and the n-word are used in great quantity on this album.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking and driving, irresponsible drinking, pill popping, and pot smoking can all be found here.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how women are viewed in hip-hop music. How does it make you feel about your own body when you hear women being judged by their sex appeal? Does it help to recognize that bad stereotypes don't reflect how real women look or behave?
"Sexting" is one of the songs on this album. What are the dangers of doing risky things over your cell phone? What are some rules to always follow about cell phone use? Have you talked to your family about the consequences of sexting?
Families can talk about Tiger Woods, who is referenced on the album. What can you learn from the Tiger Woods scandal? Has your opinion of him changed, or do you think his private life doesn't affect what he has done on the golf course?

What's the story?

BATTLE OF THE SEXES was originally intended to be a duet album, a rap battle between the male point of view (Ludacris) and the female challenger (Shawnna). However, when Shawnna took up with T-Pain's record label, her presence on the album disappeared as well, and Luda was left to go it alone. So instead the rapper brought in a host of guest appearances, such as Flo Rida, Plies, and Ne-Yo. Look for more female rappers and singers than are generally featured on a rap album, like Eve, Lil' Kim, Nicki Minaj, Ciara, and Monica.

Is it any good?

For the over-21 crowd, this is a fun album that shows off Luda's inner freak as well as his uncommonly good rhyming and writing skills. There are moments when even the most jaded adult might raise an eyebrow, but things never get so bad that they become insulting or gross. Ludacris keeps a light humor throughout the tracks, and guest appearances are seamlessly woven into the kinky works. "I Know You Gotta Man," "My Chick Bad," and "Sexting" are particularly entertaining, with each giving a slight twist on the conventional rap formula. Things never get boring, with Ludacris daring to even bring in Alvin and the Chimpmunks audio effects and references to Tiger Woods' marital difficulties to this affair.

Music themes & details

Music Details

Released on: March 9, 2010
Label: DTP Recordings
Genre: Rap
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:

100% say sexual content is an issue
100% say language is an issue
67% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking
33% say violence is an issue
33% say they noticed product placement

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

TessaDawn
teen, 15 years old

Music Details

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Battle of the Sexes (by Ludacris, Rap)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Battle of the Sexes

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Music themes & details

Music Details

Review It

Review Battle of the Sexes

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

his chick probly is badd

Sexist and explicit, as well as crappy.

no good

for preteens

album is worth as much as sht

pretty good, but some songs are more inappropriate that others.

under 12, no.

under 12, no.

under 12, no.

amazing raps

yumm ;)

plain old NASTY

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