Sweat

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Some great stuff for adults, but nothing for kids.
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.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

Not yet rated

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is the harder-edged of the two simultaneous CDs that Nelly released. But it's a good album, with moments of surprising poetry and insight nestled in the cracks between lots of macho posturing.


What's the story?

Nelly's SWEAT, released at the same time as the more intimate SUIT, offers an array of interesting musical moments. "Heart of a Champion," sounds almost like the overture of a hip Off-Broadway musical with majestic horn tracks, a theatrical dialogue introduction, and unison choral singing by the Lincoln University Vocal Ensemble. A quick change of pace leads to "Na-Nana-Na," a multilayered Middle-Eastern-tinged confection featuring Jazze Pha. Lyrics combine transparent sexist posturing and egomaniacal bragging with moments of poetry and power. "River Don't Run," for example, is viable reggae with an anti-violence message. "Tilt Ya Head Back" channels vintage R&B with a surprisingly effective guest vocal by Christina Aguilera. Nelly's production team never lets him down, with exquisitely layered tracks.


Is it any good?

 

The CD presents an intriguing variety of well-produced and rhythmically varied tunes featuring heavy-hitting guest artists who save the day, including Missy Elliot, Lil' Flip and Big Gipp, Mobe Deep, St. Lunatics, Christina Aguilera, Murphy Lee, Stephen Marley, and Jazze Pha. It would be hard to imagine this album working without their participation, actually. Nelly's greatest talent may be his ability to play well with others. Still, this album is meant to be enjoyed by mature listeners, and is not appropriate for kids.


Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!

What families can talk about

Families can talk about how guest stars can save the day on a CD. Get your hands on the edited version, and talk to your teens about the artistic value of collaboration.


This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
A must-read book for every 8 year old
I am a nice porson whan you dont get on my nervs.You dont wont that tohappin because I will axploed!

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Artist:Nelly
Release date:September 14, 2004
Label:Universal
Genre:Hip-hop
Parental advisory:Yes
Edited version available:Yes

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
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.

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

 

vote now

Will you add Sweat to your playlist?


Already listened to it? What do you think?

 

Been There? Tell us about it