F.A.M.E.

 Review

Common Sense Media says

R&B songs run gamut from clean to extremely dirty, mature.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that F.A.M.E. contains a mixed bag of messages. Some songs, like "Beautiful People" and "Next 2 You," are squeaky clean and positive. Yet others, like "Look at Me Now" and "Deuces," are extremely explicit (graphic sex and language) and negative -- so much so that they alone are enough to put the album beyond the reach of tweens and young teens. Parents of young Chris Brown fans should point them to the album's more kid-friendly singles instead of purchasing the whole thing.

  • Positivity in a couple of these tracks, like "Beautiful People," is overshadowed by the negativity in many tunes, such as "Look at Me Now."
  • A few songs promote less-than-ideal behavior like materialism, acting violently, and treating people disrespectfully.
  • Song "Look at Me Now" references a shooting.
  • Extremely graphic sexual references in certain songs, such as "No B.S."
  • Repeated use of the words "f--k" and "s--t" in some songs, like "Deuces."
  • A few songs promote the importance of material things.
  • A couple of mentions of drinking; for example, "I rarely sip, but pour me some."

What's the story?

F.A.M.E. is the second full-length album by R&B singer Chris Brown since his notorious acts of violence against former girlfriend/fellow R&B singer Rihanna. Some tracks, like "Beautiful People," are upbeat and positive, with lyrics like "your beauty, it's inside you, don't let 'em bring you down," while others, such as "Deuces," are filled with foul language, very explicit sexual references, and tons of swagger. Despite the positive messages in certain tracks, even the clean version of this record isn't for young ears. 


Is it any good?

 

Like Brown himself, the tracks on F.A.M.E. are all over the musical map. His talent and creativity show through big-time in several infectious songs like "Paper, Scissors, Rock" with Big Sean and Timbaland, and "Bomb" with Wiz Khalifa. However, other plodding tunes, like "Up to You," sound much the same as any old R&B single.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about Brown's troubled past. Will audiences overlook his past behavior? Can you separate Chris Brown the man from Chris Brown the musician?

  • The tracks here represent extremes between model behavior and criminal acts -- just as Brown did when, after assaulting Rihanna, he went for months with a clean record before lapsing back into violent behavior by breaking his dressing room window after a sensitive media interview. What can Brown do to break free of the back-and-forth and finally move past his negative behavior?

  • Name five things you can do to help yourself cool down and feel better when you're upset.


This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
Teen, 17 years old
April 3, 2011
 
Why let kids listen to a man who beats beautiful women like Rihanna?
I hate Chris Brown! How could anyone listen to the garbage he calls music after what he did to Rihanna? I haven't listened to any song off of his album and I don't see why anyone in the right mind would. Chris Brown is one of the most pathetic R&B singers in the world and is a horrible excuse for a person.

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Adult
June 26, 2011
 
What are you saying, Chris??
In the song "She ain't you" Chris has hooked up with a girl, trying to replace his ex, only pretending to care for this new woman. Good of CB to adress ddestructive relationships but kids can't think that's any way to act. "When she touches me, I’m wishing that they were your hands and when I’m with her it’s only about the sex" "If I could just trade her in I would cause nobody can pass you up" "I wanna leave but i’m afraid, that you don’t even feel the same now i realize, that she ain’t you"

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Teen, 14 years old
April 6, 2011
 
Rihanna's Over It How About YOU???
Get over the Rihanna thing! You guys have probaly done something in the past terrible that your regret. At least Chris learned from what he did. Rihanna is a Grammy Winning, nine #1's on the chart and has 4 platinum albums. If she is over it then you should be over it!!! There is a few sexual things and bad language though. If you have a problem with that just get the edited version!

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Teen, 15 years old
March 30, 2011
 
it a good cd few have some bad cont but it a good come back

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This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
Artist:Chris Brown
Release date:March 22, 2011
Label:Jive Records
Genre:R&B
Parental advisory:Yes
Edited version available:Yes

This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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