 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Red Light District
Common Sense Media says
Ludacris may be talented, but he isn't for kids.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that we don't recommend this CD for any kid under 17 because of the explicit language, sex, and violence. That said, there's lots for adult rap fans to enjoy here. Ludacris is poetic, expressive, funny, and musically intriguing. It's too bad that it's next to impossible to find an edited version.
What's the story?
Ludacris finds a moment to slam Bill O'Reilly one more time on THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT, before leading us on through the usual themes of sex, drugs, street life, racism, sexist posturing, and negotiating the peculiar minefield of financial and popular success. Throughout, he delivers blistering commentary with humor, poetry, charisma, and every four-letter word in -- or maybe not in -- the dictionary. One spectacular high point is "Potion," a track that combines a traditional field work song with a rumbling drum beat, looped cooing noises, gasping female backup vocals, and a male chorus singing "What up?" all textured under a rant about wiggling women and the pitfalls of stardom. It's not PC, but it's original, haunting, and even funny. It's the Ludacris genius at its best. Other inventive moments include a sample of Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova" (AKA the Austin Powers song) on "Number One Spot" and a wonderful steel drum track on "Put Your Money."
Is it any good?
The production and musicianship of The Red Light District are lovingly crafted and stunningly mixed, and Ludacris performs with his usual expressiveness, an irresistible combination of enthusiasm, cynicism, and joie de vivre -- carefully enunciating every lyric, for better or worse. For many families, the sheer number of four-letter words will be enough to get this album banned forever from the home entertainment library. For the oldest teens and adult rap fans, though, this one would be a substantial and thought-provoking choice.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the mix of intelligence and explicit content in Ludacris' music.
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AGE
Utter piece of garbage- with talent!
Ludacris' "THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT" is a piece of the smelliest garbage, but one must notice his rapping talents. *sigh* if only every other lyric wasn't "SEX SEX SEX" "DRUGS DRUGS DRUGS" "SHOOTING MURDERING FIGHTING" wow o wow...fun for the whole fam-i-ly!
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AGE
ok but super inapropriate
well the only thing u can pretty much say is if ludacris got 25cents every time he cussed or talked about sex this guy would be rich well more rich than he already is
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Kid, 11 years old
January 15, 2012
AGE
The face says it all!
:(
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