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My Block

(Rated NR, Reality TV, Starring Ludacris, Sway, Rhymefest, Where to watch: MTV)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Rappers' neighborhood travelogue; mature teens OK.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The role models presented are family, friends, neighbors, and shop owners, as well as the artists themselves. The emphasis is on how people in the community can provide kids with guidance or a creative outlet. The positive role of learning, music, and sports is featured.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Acts of violence aren't featured, but they're discussed.

  • Sex:

    Sexualized dancing (jukin', footworkin') is featured, as are some scantily clad women.

  • Language:

    Expletives are bleeped out; occasionally a word like "ass" is mentioned. All in all, remarkably few instances of bad language, considering the subject matter.

  • Consumerism:

    Since the show films in various locations in a given real-life neighborhood, many products are seen in the background: Budweiser, Enyce clothing, sport team logo wear, etc. Lots of very long commercial breaks that feature everything from violent video games to anti-drug public service announcements.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol, drugs, and smoking are discussed and frequently featured in the background, but they're not used by main cast (at least, not on screen).
 

What Parents Need to Know

About My Block

Parents need to know that while this rap-centric reality show highlights strong role models, creativity, and positive ambition, it also includes discussions of gang membership, drug dealing, and crime. Gang signing, while fuzzed out, is briefly but prominently displayed. Scenes of homelessness and alcoholism are seen in the background of some segments.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether the show's positive portrayals of rap and hip-hop artists help counter the often-negative media focus on some musicians' illegal activities and misogynistic attitudes. Why do the media tend to emphasize these negative characteristics in the first place? How do the artists contribute to these depictions? How does the show counter that perception?
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