Brothers to Brutha

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Aspiring R&B star siblings balance family and fame.
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.

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

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Parents say

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Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this reality series -- which chronicles the lives of a family of brothers whose R&B act is close to getting its big break -- spends a lot of time on family relationships, including the rocky association between the Harrell "boys" and their absentee father. Although the family is very close, they sometimes have heated arguments (using lots of bleeped curses) and sometimes physically fight each other. The "N" word is also part of the family's vernacular. Expect to see some drinking and sexual innuendo/talk, including discussions about one brother's virginity.

  • The show focuses on the Harrell brothers' singing career and their family's dynamics, including their challenges in communicating effectively with one another. While they argue frequently, there's no denying that they're close and that they value their family relationships.
  • The brothers are very close to each other. Uncle Drano is both manager
    and father figure to the brothers and attempts to teach them
    responsibility and other important values. The whole group struggles
    with their relationship with the boys' biological father.
  • Old wounds and disagreements between family members sometimes lead to yelling, screaming, pushing, shoving, scratching, and punching; but the combatants are usually separated by other family members before anyone really gets hurt.
  • Some mild sexual innuendo, including brief mentions of "fornicating." One brother's virginity becomes a topic of humorous discussion among his siblings.
  • Audible language includes words like "damn." Stronger words, like "f--k" and "s--t," are bleeped out. The "N" word is used frequently as part of the guys' vernacular (not as an insult).
  • The series is a promotional vehicle for the group. Frequent references to R&B artists like Keyshia Cole when working with industry professionals.
  • Uncle Drano's rules for the group include no drinking, but the guys are occasionally shown drinking champagne and wine. Tony's consistent drinking becomes a source of tension.

What's the story?

BROTHERS TO BRUTHA follows the lives of the Harrell brothers, who -- as R&B group Brutha -- have signed with Island Def Jam records. Under the direction of their tough-but-loving uncle/manager Drano, Grady, Tony, Jared, Poppa, and Jacob, have to learn how to be a professional act and prove that they belong on the hit music scene. But as they work on their rhythms, they must also find a way to balance their careers with their personal lives. Adding to the pressure are both the daily challenges that come with being part of a close extended family and the brothers' tenuous relationship with their father, a musician who was missing during most of their lives. It isn't always easy, but the brothers try to keep it real while focusing on their commitment to their success and to each other.


Is it any good?

 

While the show is clearly a promotional vehicle for the up-and-coming group, Brothers to Brutha is also very much about family. The young men openly discuss their feelings about their troubled childhood, their absentee father, and -- for Grady and Tony -- their roles as parents. They also openly note the love and respect they have for their uncle, who, despite having two children of his own, has made it his mission to provide them with the opportunity to succeed both as R&B singers and as men.

Unfortunately, sibling rivalry and other unresolved issues sometimes lead to some unhealthy family feuds that include heated verbal exchanges and fistfights. But the emotions leading up to these moments seem genuine, and while the brothers' on-camera "make-up moments" seem a little contrived, you get the sense that even if they don't always get along, they really do love each other. It's got some iffy content, but overall this show succeeds in pointing out that family, no matter how imperfect, can serve as a foundation to build success on.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about why the Harrells (and other similar families) would want to be featured on a reality show. Do you think this series is simply a way of promoting the band, or does it offer something more?

  • Do you think being featured on a reality show helps an actor or
    musician's career?

  • Is having a great singing voice
    enough to make someone a star? What other things does a singer or band
    have to have to make it big?


This review was written by Melissa Camacho
Teen, 17 years old
December 12, 2008
 
i laughed
yes i would like to say brothers to brutha is a good tv show a that they laugh and fight alot but i know that they just do it out of love because me and my brothers are the same way.but do practice alot and they work hard to become successful at what they do .if possible give me a call at 843-439-7294.or 843-862-2118.

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Teen, 16 years old
December 10, 2008
 

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Adult
November 28, 2008
 

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Educator and Parent of 7, 8, 9, 15, and 19 year old
April 11, 2009
 
i cried it was a real story that needed to be told its everyday life story for most of my kids

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Teen, 15 years old
April 2, 2010
 
best in the world
i love this

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This review was written by Melissa Camacho
TV rating:TV-PG
Network:BET
Cast:anthony Harrell, Donny Harrell, Nadia Dajani
Genre:Reality TV

This review was written by Melissa Camacho
 

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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.

 

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