"Prom Queen" (CD single) (by Lil Wayne, Rock)

common sense media says

Infamously raunchy rapper goes cleaner with rock release.

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Lil Wayne's latest single is surprisingly clean. Sure Wayne talks about fancy underwear and drops the f-bomb a few times, but this single inidicates that the hardcore rapper is dipping a toe into mainstream music. Although the song is about unrequited love and lust, the lyrics aren't sexual or misogynistic.

Positive messages: Not applicable.

Violence: Not applicable.

Sex: There is just one mildly sexual reference to "fancy underwear."

Language: One explicit line, "...but she left me with a broken heart, f--ked around and turned me down," is part of the chorus and is repeated three times.

Consumerism: This single was promoted with a live webcast performance on Facebook and MySpace which was sponsored by AT&T Mobile.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

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

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about Lil Wayne's image change. This single marks the rapper's move into rock 'n roll. It also signals a much cleaner approach to lyrical content. Do you think this is a calculated move on Lil Wayne's part to be less hardcore and more mainstream? How do you think his fans will respond? Do you think it is easy for a musician to switch genres?

What's the story?

PROM QUEEN is the first single to be released off Lil Wayne's album, Rebirth, and it marks the rapper's transition into the genre of hard rock (a move that's generated a lot of passionate discussion among his rap fans). His Grammy-nominated album Tha Carter III contained lots of raunchy lyrics. This song, by contrast, is a sad tale of unrequited love with Wayne playing the role of the lovelorn admirer, with the "prom queen" as the popular girl who pays him no mind.

Is it any good?

Interestingly, this single lacks the crazy, lyrical spontaneity rap fans have come to expect and love from Lil Wayne. As a rock song, it's OK -- the dark and brooding guitar riffs reminiscent of Black Sabbath or Marilyn Manson are stirring, but tend to drone and drag as the song progresses. Hardcore fans may miss the old, albeit dirty, Lil Wayne -- and it remains to be seen whether they'll follow his foray into rock. But with cleaner lyrics than his previous songs, this is one you can let teens listen to without cringing.

Music themes & details

Music Details

Released on: January 28, 2009
Label: Cash Money Records
Genre: Rock
Edited version available: Yes

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp

Review It

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

ink
teen, 15 years old

Music Details

Artist

Label

Genre

"Prom Queen" (CD single) (by Lil Wayne, Rock)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on "Prom Queen" (CD single)

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 "Prom Queen" (CD single)

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Terrible.

Baller

PROM QUEEN

pretty good

good for the mature preteen and average teen

14 and up.

I love this Song!!!!!

great song lil wayne

love it

"I love This Song!!!!"

nobody

Horrible

What?????

Mostly clean, two adult references.

Crappy Single That May Amuse Some Teens

Eminem is miles better

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families

Age-appropriate reviews

Advice on the big issues

vote now

Will you add "Prom Queen" (CD single) to your playlist?

Already listened to it? What do you think?

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more music

About our rating system

Browse our library of reviews

See what our editors recommend