Raw Footage

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Social commentary underneath violence, swearing.
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

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although Ice Cube has starred in some movies that are fine for tweens and teens, his new CD is best for older teens. The album is filled with expletives, the "N" word, and some references to violence and drugs, along with simplistic rhymes and brief expressions of social consciousness.

  • Although there's a clear intention to comment on social problems, the writing isn't strong enough to do so effectively. Racist, sexist, and elitist ranting weakens the cause.
  • Quite a few violent references: "My boy got a knife that turned a boy into a girl" being one of the more imaginative.
  • Some innuendo, more sexist than sexy.
  • Loaded with four-letter words, the "N" word, and sexist language.
  • Clear Channel, Radio One, cars.
  • Many references to drugs. "I'm raw as a dirty needle" and "If I sell a little crack ain't nothing to it/gangsta rap made me do it."

What's the story?

Ice Cube's RAW FOOTAGE may be a little more descriptive than intended, consisting of 14 energetic, passionate, but repetitive rants about the state of the world from the point of view of a self-absorbed rap star. The potential in lyrics like "the hood is where I'm from/it's not what I am" is defused with nonstop self-aggrandizement and some of the most simplistic rhymes we've heard in a while ("See 'em come up and f--k up the owna/see 'em throw up West side California/N---a I'm as hot as Phoenix, Arizona/I'm Utah and I got multiple bitches/it's new law keep a hold of your riches," "...brush these 32 teeth/will give your ass grief/bite you like a fatburger if you got beef," or even "Don't try to be a hero/you're nothing but a zero").


Is it any good?

 

Despite fine performances and some socially-relevant subject matter, the writing just isn't strong enough to overcome Ice Cube's constant bragging or humorless stance. Why should we care what anyone who proclaims "My head is so big they call me Jack-in-the-Box/I was sent to the world by G-O-D" has to say about our collective civic responsibilities in a just society?


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about "Thank God," a song in which Ice Cube claims that rap music is blamed for all the world's problems, from world hunger to the war in Iraq. Do you agree with his point of view? Why do you think rap gets, well, a bad rap? Why do some artists rap about violent or mature things?


This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Teen, 16 years old
March 29, 2009
 
Too many swear words but in the end a good album.
My favs are "Gangsta Rap Made Me do it" and "Why Me?" because that show's the Cube in ACTION! Way too much swearing, though!

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Ice Cube
Release date:August 19, 2008
Label:Lench Mob Records
Genre:Rap
Parental advisory:Yes
Edited version available:Yes

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 

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About our rating system
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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