 | 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. |
"Run This Town" (CD single)
- By Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna
- Genre: Rap
Common Sense Media says
Hot rappers court danger by resurrecting old rap rivalries.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, in terms of violent and sexual content, this isn't the worst of Jay-Z's music. However, its focus on bragging about being the best merely reinforces the infamous and dangerous sense of rivarly that pervades the rap and hip-hop arenas.
What's the story?
The second track off of Jay Z's soon-to-be-released CD titled The Blueprint 3, RUN THIS TOWN features guest vocals from two other artists -- Rihanna and Kanye West -- whose mega-star status is on a par with his own. To that end, the three spend this song asserting their dominance over everyone and everything, posing the question, "Who's gonna run this town tonight?" and then answering it themselves: "We are, yeah I said it, we are / You can call me Caesar / Please follow the leader." This single also marks Rihanna's first release since her recent troubles with boyfriend and fellow singer Chris Brown.
Is it any good?
This song reels you in right off the bat, with strong intro lines from Rihanna that she proceeds to repeat throughout the song, as well as a dually infectious and ominous guitar hook that's a good fit for the track's competitive message. Both Jay Z and Kanye demonstrate why they're masters of their trade, each delivering their rhymes with timing and flow that make the song stick in your mind long after it's over.
What families can talk about
Do people brag because they really believe they're better than others -- or are they actually trying to cover up their true feelings of insecurity and inadequacy?
Check out our article "What Messages Are Your Kids Getting From Chris Brown and Rihanna?" to find out more about influential artists from the rap and hip-hop worlds are to kids.
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 12 years old
November 14, 2009
AGE
go jay go jay
I love it beacause you and kanye and rihanna,all sound good together,and you rap mad good.
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AGE
it does not say any bad words and it was not bad
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Kid, 12 years old
September 16, 2009
AGE
wow
gr8 song but lots of swearing
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AGE
Good Song
I love love love this song! I listen to it almost all the time :)
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AGE
it does have bad words and it is bad...u need to listen and understand wat theyre talking bout (especially jay-z) before u go all crazy over this song
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AGE
Get the Radio Edit
Just get the radio edit-great song minus the swearing.
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Kid, 9 years old
March 19, 2011
AGE
BAD LANGUAGE
Maybe Get the Edited Version....
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AGE
Awesome and good!
I love this song and even my mom likes it!
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AGE
Catchy!
I like it... Just language, nothing else to me, and if you get the clean version its just a cool song with a good beat.
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| Artists: | Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna |
| Release date: | July 24, 2009 |
| Genre: | Rap |
| Parental advisory: | Yes |
| Edited version available: | Yes |
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