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`Chocolate Rain` (CD single) (by Tay Zonday, Pop)

common sense media says

YouTube award winner has smart racial commentary.

parents & educators say
See all 6 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this single is the winner of the 2007 YouTube Video Awards in the music category, and has become hugely popular. And while the lyrics are a bit cryptic, the singer himself admits to racial undercurrents.

Positive messages: There's racial commentary: "Chocolate rain/the same crime has a higher price to pay chocolate rain/the judge and jury swear it's not the face" and "Chocolate rain/made me cross the street the other day/Chocolate rain/made you turn your head the other way."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on `Chocolate Rain` (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the power of YouTube. It has made stars out of some people who were relatively unknown. How do people become so popular so fast? Is it because the general public is infatuated with fame and the famous?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Twenty-five-year-old grad student Tay Zonday has quite a hit on his hands with over 15 million YouTube viewers of "CHOCOLATE RAIN" as of the end of February 2008. The almost five-minute song is a repetitive, programmed keyboard and drum loops that could be labeled as pop, but sounds unlike anything out there right now. There are also a whole lot of deep lyrics.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Zonday's distinctively deep voice doesn't exactly match his boyish, leaning-towards-nerdy appearance, but "Chocolate Rain" doesn't really have a match, either. The video itself is plain with Zonday singing in to a microphone, doing nothing to spice things up, and after two minutes (of an almost 5-minute-song) boredom sets in. Perhaps what people find most interesting is Zonday's throaty voice and trying to figure out exactly what he's saying about "Chocolate Rain."

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: March 28, 2008
Genre: Pop
This review was written by Maria Dinoia
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Drlrocks
kid, 9 years old
9
 
Same beat, different words.
He says '' Worse than swearing''
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THEBEST56
educator
5
 
What?
This song is not raciest
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helped me decide | had useful details | read my mind (1)
hamstergurl09
teen, 17 years old
9
 
I Laughed Out Loud When I Saw A Review Page for This on CSM
I didn't expect this website to have a review page for basically a viral video. xD Regardless, I think this song is pretty good. It's repetitive, but I enjoy it. The tune and beat are really catchy. I also like the metaphors used in the song. Plus, it's funny that Tay Zonday looks like a 12 year old but has the voice of a 40 year old (that's pretty much the reason this went viral).
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UltimateHaloFan
adult
2
 
EVERYONE
nothing wrong with it!
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Seto007
teen, 15 years old
7
 
Awesome, must listen!
The song IMPLIES rascism, but not in a racist way. Nothing bad, and a very good song.
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terramarie
teen, 16 years old
17
 
RACEST !!
this young boy is a horrible influence. He is talking about how whites used to hurt the "cholate rain" I will never alow my children to watch this ! I saw it for my self and i was amazed !
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