Eminem (genius or jack***?) .

[Buckalew]

You are too funny! (& you are also good at "pissing" people off! )

 

[Dan Murphy]

Originally posted by Buckalew
.....(& you are also good at "pissing" people off! )

Better than pissing ON people.

 

[Planogirl]

Interesting observation Dan.

I don't dispute the fact that Eminem is talented and I support his right to make whatever kind of music he wants to make. However, he is the only musical artist banned in my home right now because I don't appreciate his words. He seems abusive to me, and I can't condone that in anyone.

I can also imagine how frustrating the violence BobO mentioned is to him. It is often said that violence begets violence, and it must be heartbreaking to see the endless cycle.

 

[mrsmick]

Wow, this has been some very interesting reading.. I have a 15 year old daughter who is wanting to be stuck on Eminem, but her only doses are on her radio. I will not allow her to have or borrow his cd's. I have listened to a few of his 'works'. (I hesitate to call them songs, and would never dream of calling them talent or art). The contents of those few works told me all I need to know about him.
I don't think any of our kids, or young adults, need to have such disrespect and negativity getting blasted into their minds with the bass on high!
And ya wonder why teens are so angry? Hhmmm.

One more little thing, I've written poetry, so if I add some raunchy words, shout it to a beat, is that rap? JMHO

 

[SPAGo 98]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
Better than pissing ON people.

eh. sometimes.

 

[Blondie]

Originally posted by mrsmick
I don't think any of our kids, or young adults, need to have such disrespect and negativity getting blasted into their minds with the bass on high!
And ya wonder why teens are so angry? Hhmmm.

Good point.

 

[Buckalew]

Well, my original post said something like, "As Dan would say, that is better than pissing on people."

Sorry, Dan. I typed it & was like what am I typing?? but it went along with what Bob said so... I know you don't like the phrase and neither does my dad so I was already feeling guilty. :sigh: Fathers...

 

[grinningghost]

Bob O., I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that kids from impoverished, troubled homes will really take those lyrics to heart. My DD and her friends, who come from happy, middle class, suburban families, listen to Eminem. But, I really believe they do NOT analyze his lyrics. I don't think they do anything but memorize them so they can sing (or rap) along. Whereas an inner-city kid would probably dissect the entire song and find a way to relate to every word. That's where the rap/violence connection comes in.

By the way, this is a VERY interesting thread guys - good job.

 

[SideshowBob]

When I just a little baby boy,
my momma used to tell me these crazy things
She used to tell me my daddy was an evil man,
she used to tell me he hated me
But then I got a little bit older
and I realized, she was the crazy one
But there was nothin I could do or say to try to change it
cause that's just the way she was

(Later....)

You better kill me! I'ma be another rapper dead
for poppin off at the mouth with s*** I shouldn'ta said
But when they kill me - I'm bringin the world with me
You ain't nuttin but a girl to me

 

[CookieGVB]

Originally posted by SideshowBob
When I just a little baby boy,
my momma used to tell me these crazy things
She used to tell me my daddy was an evil man,
she used to tell me he hated me
But then I got a little bit older
and I realized, she was the crazy one
But there was nothin I could do or say to try to change it
cause that's just the way she was

(Later....)

You better kill me! I'ma be another rapper dead
for poppin off at the mouth with s*** I shouldn'ta said
But when they kill me - I'm bringin the world with me
You ain't nuttin but a girl to me

Ooooh...I want my sons to grow up JUST LIKE HIM!

 

[Disney Doll]

Jacka**

 

[Bob O]

Buckalew-My wife would agree with you!!!
Also ditto's to Dan M.!!!
Planogirl- You are right regarding the circle if violence. Having 20 plus yrs on the job i have been to the same homes numerous times as i worked in the same district for 18yrs and would arrest the father for abusing the child while their sons/daughters watched what took place. And then watched as the kids grew up and moved on their own and later arrested the sons or daughters for either abusing their significant other or being the victim. And when you talked to them you realized alot of it is learned behavior, the sons thought it was ok to beat up their girlfriend because dad did, and the daughters said they thought it was ok to knocked around because it happended to their mother who would get back with dad/boyfirend a few days later as if nothing happened.
And i have been suprised nobody has mentioned the anti-gay/lesbian rants he has made over the years in his songs, besides the other violence/profanity that he is also known for.
And as much as i dislike what he stands for and the trash he produces i would NEVER want to censor him!!! Parents should be the censor, but not government!!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

I have never cared for rap but I find myself listening to the new CD in the car ALL THE TIME. It has grown on me. I also like to hear honesty. No matter how messed up or dillusional the thinking.

 

[charlie,nj]

BobO – I liked the FS the only problem was I could never hit the high notes.

Just imagine a car full of big weightlifting guys riding down the Jersey Turnpike singing:
(we did it every weekend for years)


Big girls dont cry, big girls don't cry

Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry)
My girl said good-bye (my oh my)
My girl didn't cry (I wonder why)

(Silly boy) Told my girl we had to break up
(Silly boy) Thought that she would call my bluff
(Silly boy) But she said to my surprise
Big girls don't cry

Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (who said they don't cry)

Baby I was cruel (I was cruel)
Baby I'm a fool (I'm such a fool)

(Silly girl) Shame on you your Mama said
(Silly girl) Shame on you, you cried in bed
(Silly girl) Shame on you, you told a lie
Big girls do cry

Big girls don't cry (they don't cry)
Big girls don't cry (that's just an alibi)

repeat to fade Big girls don't cry



PS - we would actually have fights about who sings what parts.

 

[WillyJ]

Dan and Brenda saying "pissed"??

SSB quoting Enimem???

BobO being charming????

Charlie singing???


I think I've just wandered into the "Bizzaro DIS" . .



Oh, and by the way Sienfeld, I had to edit your post.. this isn't Caesars Palace; you can't be working "blue" here buddy..

 

[Bob O]

I also could never hit the high notes but luckily saw the four Seasons several times live and could hear that Frank Vali had no need to lip sync but could really hit the high notes.

 

[antnee]

I am with you charlie, but dont forget we both grew up in jersey city. I like his music and the controversy he causes

 

[Big Dude]

Momma, I never meant to hurt you, I never meant to make you cry but tonight, I'm cleaning out my closet!!!

Eminem is a wonderful actor! True, lots of "bad" words. No nudity to speak of but some sexual implications. This is a movie I would purchase when it comes out on DVD. It must be the Disc Jockey in me but I GIVE IT 2 THUMBS UP!


Adam aka Big Dude

 

[Patricia]

A few weeks ago, I was noticing the severe deterioration of my students language. Not that I expect 8th graders to use perfect grammar, but it got to be a bit much when a student used the word (or not a word), def when meaning death. He came up to me and truly thought that was the correct pronunciation he had written. It hit me that rap is truly destroying the abilility for young kids to distinguish what's correct and not. SO.. I had my 16 year old dd print me some lyrics from the internet and I blacked out the bad language and brought in the lyrics for the kids to correct the grammar. I had SUCH a hard time with some of the lyrics on a lot of songs because they are all about sex. Some truly were more blacked out than not. But guess whose lyrics were the easiest to work with? Our friend Eminem. I have listened in the car with the kids to his songs and admit to being caught in the beat, but sitting with his lyrics and reading about him has caught me. I reallly feel this guy is very intelligent and very, very talented. My classes and I had wonderful talks about his anger, his family, his responses to anger, the merchandising of his personna. We talked about the teen cultures through the decades and how music for teens is always "horrible "to parents. How my generation with hard rock and it's drug references had its own problems too. The lesson was amazing!! We did get to the grammar too, but that turned out to be the smallest part. I had cleared my idea of using the lyrics with the principal, and she brought in the NYTimes Magazine with a wonderful aritcle about Eminem to share with the kids. Cool principal, they said. I know that his lyrics on some of the older songs are extremely violent, and I will admit that troubles me as it does with the songs that promote so much sex . I am raising two teenaged daughters and a young son, and teaching 8th graders and it is so difficult to show them right from wrong and what is acceptable and not. There are countless examples of things I don't think they should be accepting as the norm. At the current moment, it seems that they know that Eminem is included in the group of what to take with a grain of salt, and not follow as life's guidelines. But they do, as do I, enjoy his music and listen to the sadness in his songs with empathy. I think he can be less damaging than having them internalize some of the other stuff... listen to some of the lyrics, or print them yourself. It's a real life's lesson!!!

 

[SideshowBob]

SSB would quote you, but would take up the whole text box... haha!! Thanks for the very personal/professional response to a very controversial person...

Just back from "8 Mile", as could not get into at Toronto Film Festival back in August. Really enjoyed. Not a "Best Picture" dealee, but a great star vehicle for what it was....

Thanks for the PM's, and Mr. WillyJ, you are, as always, VERY funny, young man!!!! : )