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"Rude Boy" (CD single) (by Rihanna, Hip-hop)

common sense media says

Sexier-than-usual Rihanna single is too hot for kids!

parents & educators say
  • 76% say sexual content is an issue
See all 49 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this single is much racier than Rihanna's typical dance tunes. It's all about sex, and the lyrics do not shy away from begging for a romp. Although the song doesn't mention any body parts specifically or use any bad language, the message is obviously clear: "I like it when you tell me kiss it here, I like it when you tell me move it there." Watch out for the sexually-charged video as well, which shows some breast grabbing, butt-flashing, and thrusting on a lion, among other scandalous moves!

Positive messages: There's only one message here and that's lust! The entire song is about seducing a more-than-willing guy and wanton desires.
Positive role models: The good thing here is that Rihanna portrays herself as a woman in control of her sexuality. "Relax, lemme do it how I wanna." But that doesn't mean the song is good for kids!
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: There's a lot of talk about being excited and various body parts, such as: "Boy can you get it up...boy is it big enough" and "touch me there...pull my hair" and "give it to you harder."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on "Rude Boy" (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

  • Families can talk about female role models in music. How do female musicians use sexuality as a way to grab attention?

  • Talk about music lyrics. Many parents might think of Rihanna as a safe artist, since she's had many kid-friendly hits. However, does this racy song show you that it's not just Lil' Wayne that you have to watch out for? Is it almost more important to check out the lyrics from "safe" artists because of this fact?

  • The video for this song appears on Vevo. What internet video sites are you allowed on? Are there restrictions to what you can watch on these sites? Why is it important to watch out for music videos as well as inappropriate lyrics?

What's the story?

What's the story?

"RUDE BOY" is the second single off of Rihanna's 2009 album Rated R. It's become one of the more popular tracks, and is the third US single to emerge from the release. Full of seduction and sexiness, the song is all about going after the "bad boy" and showing him what you got (in the bedroom).

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

As its title implies, Rihanna borrows a little off the "rude boy" Caribbean tradition of Jamaican bad boys and mixes a touch of reggae flair in with her traditional hip-hop sound. Her vocals fit in perfectly with both genres, and the effect is a super-cool, almost aloof treatment that contrasts perfectly with the steaming hot lyrics. This is definitely a song meant for the clubs, the age-restricted clubs that is!

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: February 25, 2010
Label: Def Jam
Genre: Hip-hop
Edited version available: Yes
This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 
 

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Review "Rude Boy" (CD single)

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 17 parent & educator reviews:
  • 76% say sexual content is an issue
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

swhit458
parent of 9 and 10 year old
15
 
Gosh Rihanna...really???? It's like Rihanna is in heat. Really?? You can't think of anything else to sing about? It's okay to be sexy, but in a classy way. Too explicit for kids...wrong message for teens!
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Tanked out
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Ughhhhhh
Ughhh, so I guess now Rihanna is so desperate for attention that she has to actually pretend she's a rock star and "hard"? What exactly is this garbage anyway? The song is basically a stupid hook being looped over and over again. And why is this in the Hip-Hop section? It isn't even rap and it CERTAINLY isn't hip-hop. And my goodness is this really only for people 15+? Cmon are you parents really that naive? I hate to break it to you but "give it to you harder" and "..is it big enough" is NOTHING compared to what they hear in school. I hate to be the bare of bad news but this isn't "hardcore", it isn't for people 15+, it isn't good, and it ISN'T HIP-HOP!
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chelly_15
teen, 17 years old
15
 
i love rihanna she is the best and i support her at everything she do. and I re@lloy love her Album Rated R IT THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Serinity ...
kid, 12 years old
17
 
WOW!!! WHAT A HORRIBLE SONG! A STRONG BEAT, YES!! BUT THE LYRICS REVOLVE AROUND SEX!!! YUCK!!!! SO NO IF YOU ARE A PERSON THAT DOESNT THINK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME!!! THEN YOU SHOULDNT SING THIS SONG!!!
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FlickChick197
teen, 15 years old
16
 
No License, No Song.
Anyone who can't drive, can't listen. Simple. Too many sexual references. Like stated above. CommonSense nailed it. If my mom won't let me listen to it, then it must be bad.
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Faith96
teen, 15 years old
11
 
hate this song
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Music4Life
teen, 14 years old
15
 
Whatever happened to the old Rihanna, I want her back. This is terrible. I don't want to listen to a song with nothing but sex in it. It's pointless and sickening. Yeah, sex sells, but the old Rihanna was better than this! She used to be a role model, is she now? Not to me! I'm not going to support her any longer.
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lozzie98
kid, 13 years old
13
 
its a great song i luv it but if u really take notice of the words (which i don't) people say its bad, i dont really worry about the words. its a great tune
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manay_4511
teen, 14 years old
16
 
Not appropriate for all ages, but 16 and older will handle it.
This song has alot of inappropriate stuff like talking about sexy things somewhat.
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TheSanguineOne
adult
14
 
For Mature Tweens and General Teens
First, one should definitely acknowledge that the material and content of the song is majorly directed towards older audiences, regardless of whether it is played on the radio as a poplular tune. Although many may say that the song exhibits sexual messages, "Rude boy" is only a song with some innuendos pertaining to one entire message. Therefore, I believe that this song is "on" for children at ages 14+; however, the parents should discuss it and decide, whether their child is mature enough to handle the content.
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hyorinmaru
parent of 18 year old
10
 
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TWEENMiss
kid, 13 years old
15
 
TOO MUCH SEXY LYRICS!
This song is basically saying that she wants a boy to take her body(YUCK!!!) that is saying it's okay for people to love a rapists.If ur kids sing this in public you'll get a warning from people who care about you.
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Original
adult
15
 
EW!
This song doesn't sound right,it's about sex like "Give it to me baby like boom boom boom" , or "I like the way you touch me there" and "Buckle up I'm a give it to you "HARDER"(Which you should what that means),It's sound like a 2 couple wants to get dirty
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ThenewWelxhGirl09
kid, 10 years old
12
 
"Off" for ages 7+, under seven would be EXTRA-OFF. 12+ iffy,between 7-12, IFFY TOO.
OK, now these lines are pretty raunchy;"Boy rude boy can you get it up...boy boy rude boy is it big enough?" "..touch me there--pull my hair". "..give it to ya harder". Rihanna does have some issues to work out.
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BellaBelle
kid, 11 years old
12
 
Depends
It all depends on your parents mine are pretty strict and won't let me listen to Omg by Usher cause it has sexy lyrics but then they let me listen to Blow by Ke$ha which is a totally party and get drunk song.
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MJMJ
teen, 14 years old
15
 
Nope
Nope! I'm sorry,you'd be a fool to let your child listen to this!
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Cooldee
parent
17
 
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MeTheCrazyOne99
kid, 13 years old
11
 
O.K. Song
This is a cool song, but honestly, not a fav of mine. Awesome tune. But: "boy is she big enough" is questionable. And "touch me there", and "give it to you harder". K.
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nuku
parent of 11 year old
9
 
:D
Great for kids. I believe commonsense's article on this song is incorrect.
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Gaga4GaGa
kid, 13 years old
12
 
Rihanna's new single is just plain "rude".
This is a terrible song!! The tune and the beat are good but the words...just horrible! When did Rihanna get so obsessed with being racy?
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ON: Content is 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
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