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"Forever" (CD single) (by Drake, Rap)

common sense media says

Four big-name rappers cut explicit tune about fame.


parents & educators say
  • 63% say language is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the lyrics in FOREVER are extra mature in just about every way, including plenty of references to violent situations, mentions of drug use, sexual allusions, and swearing. 

Positive messages: The raps are so chock-full of swearing, sex, violence, and drugs that it's hard to detect more meaningful thoughts behind them.
Positive role models: It's unlikely any parent would want their kids emulating the behavior the singers rap about.
Violence: Talk of pistols, “killing” rappers (presumably with words), and “raping the game” (of fame).
Sex: Some very graphic sexual allusions, such as: “I stuck my d--k inside this life until that bitch came.”
Language: Tons of f- and s-words.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: References to “overdosing.”

More on "Forever" (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about popular rappers/hip-hop artists. Do young stars like Drake, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Eminem grow famous because of their risqué lyrics -- or in spite of them?
  • Could these four artists approach their music in a way that is less adult yet still appealing? 

What's the story?

What's the story?
On any who’s who list of hot young rappers, four names would definitely appear: Drake, Eminem, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West. Equally famous on their own, the guys have joined forces in the single Forever -- a tune in which each artist rhymes about both loving and hating fame. The theme is a common one for the rappers (especially Eminem and Drake), who have released scathing songs about the people who try to capitalize on their good fortune. While it's refreshing to hear more introspective raps that go beyond the simple focus on material things, these verses are so chock-full of swearing, sex, violence, and drugs that it's hard to detect the more meaningful thoughts behind them. 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Each of these rappers brings a very distinct style to the table, so the combination of the four in a single track makes for an exceptionally cool listen. Of course, with egos this large, every artist had to be given his due time in the tune. The resulting song is a long six minutes -- which is pushing it even for superstars like these guys.  

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: November 1, 2009
Label: Interscope Records
Genre: Rap
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes

This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:
  • 63% say language is an issue
  • 50% say sexual content is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

suchanoddity
teen, 15 years old
 
I think CSM is missing the point on this one
Yeah, the verses are braggy, but you cannot deny that they are also inspiring, if explicit. Drake talks about, for example, how everyone around him got a record deal, but he got popular without one. Eminem talks about standing up for yourself. And Kanye...well, no comment about Kanye

 
An awesome song. Eminem steals the show.

DefenderOfCulture
teen, 16 years old
 
Rap: Art, Or Trash
Rap is defninitely an art. You either love it or you hate it. Some view it as hate-ridden slurs against the world, others view it as masterpieces, painted by the rappers with their mikes and their minds. Are nude ancient grecian statues porn? No certainly not, so rap music should not be judged so harshly. You either appreciate it or you don't.

SeanTheSleepy
kid, 11 years old
 
LiI wayne was good, but noone else was that good.
People need to know that this song is awesome, and its actually clean for lil wayne and eminem, and there is something called the clean version that takes most bad words out. It still has a bit of violence though. But out of all the verses, Kanye Wests is by far the worst. Id say Lil Wayne saved the song, because Kanye west was poo in his rap, Drakes rap was dumb, and Eminems wasnt as high quality as his other songs.

somebody
teen, 13 years old
 
Awesome, but buy four of the best but most explicit artists ever.

coolgirlz
kid, 12 years old
 
cool has the sme feel as swag like us
my and my bff know all the wordsz drakes raphas a good message but he didnt have 2 swear

 
Favorite Song
this song use b*tch only a few times, god da*n is only used once and n*gga twice and f--k only 3 times and other minor words

koohrus33
teen, 15 years old
 
Doesnt really send a good message to young children like my brother. Not really a good song to listen to. Cursing that isnt really 100% needed.

 

uhya
teen, 13 years old
 
to me,its a classic
not for kids

Spex99
kid, 12 years old
 
Buy the Clean Version and it's a nice song
I love this song. I only buy clean versions of songs. That's probably why i dont mind it.

 
Fine for younger teens

ohya
parent of 14 year old
 

PYEsinc
teen, 14 years old
 
Get it, but make sure you get the clean version.
Language: 5 uses of "f--k", 17 uses of "sh--", 2 uses of "b--ch", 2 uses of "n--ga", 1 use of "d--k", 1 use of "god--mn", 28 swears total. Messages: Here and there, there are racist references to people like Malcolm X and Obama, with one racist word ("n--ga"). Also, tons of insults are spread throughout the song (e.g.: "You're such a f--kin' loser"), with depressing statements (e.g.: "Life is like a f--kin' roller coaster/then it drops"). Role Models: It's a good song, yet not wholesome, especially when you pair together Drake, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, and Eminem. Violence: "Pistol on my side/you don't wanna hear that thing talk" is the most violent reference in this song. Sex: Two references: "I stuck my d--k inside this life until that b--ch came" and "I had r--ed the game young/you can call it statutory". Consumerism: Some references to movie characters, such as Ferris Bueller and Benjamin Button. Drugs: Eminem mentions an overdose.

 
amazing song good message censored version ok for older kids
The censored version passes a message of chasing your dreams

DPNorman
kid, 13 years old
 
If you like to listen to awful music, this is for you!
There are so many problems with letting your kids listen to this its almost ridiculous. Everything about rap music is already terrible, as there are virtually no appropriate rappers out there, and its not really music anyway. But the fact that this track and others by the artists all with all of the swearing and random innapropriate words thrown in was allowed to be played on my middle school bus every day is insane. The kids are not that mature and the music is pretty much a vocal rant on nothing. I cant even figure out what the overall message of these raps even are. Theres so much insane sexual content and swearing that it makes me want to vomit. Please, explain to me exactly how allowing little kids to listen to this is a good idea. Everyone at school listens to this, and they love it, and the music has even inspired them to swear and curse and do innapropriate things on a consistent basis. Lovely. Again, exactly what was going through the minds of the people who let the kids listen to this? Am I the ONLY PERSON of my age who thinks this way? Well anyways, its terrible. Its actually not so much that I hate rap music in general, but I also hate listening to HORRENDOUS rap music even more. I would tell you more about this brilliant music, but when something is this bad, it shouldnt even exist. And yes, once again, not one of the people involved in this is a good role model either. I would rather listen to a person screaming than this music.

mother forever
parent of 7 and 13 year old
 
PERFECT
THE BOMB

bieber_fever55
teen, 18 years old
 
Worst Song. Ever.
If a parent wants to burn their kids' ears, they could let their children listen to this song. It's horrible! One thing I do when I can't understand what the rappers are saying is I go online to make sure I'm not listening to profanity. I was shocked when I saw some of the lyrics. "I'm shutting s--t down in the mall and telling every girl she's the one for me and I ain't even planning to call" Yeah, that's wholesome. Not only is there the 's' word repeated in the chorus, but Drake is pretty much saying he's the s--t and that no one can mess with how good he is in the bed and at rapping. Horrible song. Period. (Just in case we're counting, a curse word is said 32 times in this song, including ni---r, b--ch, s--t, d--n, and f--k.)

Skater 101
kid, 11 years old
 
by two really good rappers(eminem and kanye) one ok rapper (drake) and one teribble, ex convict rapper who only has one good song (lil wayne). so coming from people like this, you can already guess that this is off limits, and it is. I heard the edited version and about every other word was edited out, and it could easily be explicit without langauge.

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