A Day In The Life of A Single Parent: "When Does The Music Stop?"

All of us have to admit that music has drastically changed since the 90’s. There were music that pushed the envelope with the likes of R. Kelly’s Bump and Grind, Dr. Dre’s The Chronic and Snoop Doggy Dog’s Doggstyle and before my Christian/Grown-up days, I was a huge fan of gangster rap not knowing it might be a prerequisite of the ratchet, raunchiness we hear today. Not all music is terrible but good music these days are far and few in between. We no longer hear metaphors or similes that describe love-making, if love is being mentioned at all. People are straight to the point about what it is they want. Some songs are so lyrically forward that it could make Hugh Heffner blush. Which brings me to my next point: Lil’ Poopy.

There are news reports floating around on the internet about a nine year old rapper name, Lil’ Poopy a.k.a Luie Rivera, Jr, who was on the rise to rap stardom. The youngster rapped about slapping a woman’s behind in his music videos on youtube and there were reports that some powerful people in the music industry were interested in signing him. What in the world is going on? What makes it even sadder, is the fact that Lil’ Poopy’s Father condoned the youngster’s behavior. Luie Rivera, Sr. actually videotaped his son and was basically supporting his career. When asked about why he would allow his son to rap in this fashion, he claims if white kids can get awards for playing certain scenes in movies that include violence and sexual content, then why can't his son rhyme? Wow! So if white actors jumped off of roofs, you would push your son off one too?

                  

I understand that in today’s society we see and hear all kinds of things. The entertainment industry is heavily influencing people with violence, drugs and sex. But that doesn’t mean we all have to jump on

the band wagon and promote our children to join in the crazy fun. There are boundaries that Rivera Sr. crossed when he allowed his son to perform in this fashion.

                  

Of course, the police took notice of the music videos of Lil’ Poopy and now the Department of Children and Families are investigating the youtube videos of him.  The attorney who represents the pint-size rapper believes that his client has First Amendment rights and that it was just entertainment. But the police beg to differ and called it "distasteful." Maybe, it is a bit extreme to get cops involved in the situation but Lil’ Poopy didn’t understand he would gain attention not just from peers but from the men in blue as well.

                  

There has been a domino effect since last year’s incident with Chief Keef and Lil’ JoJo which was another terrible event of affairs that involved the death of Lil’ JoJo. I am a lover of music but I didn’t notice there was a musical stench under my nose. This kind of music is slipping in the back door like a mistress and our children are recipients of it. I am raising a nine-year old son, who needs positive influences during this impressionable time in his life. 

                  

Have we lost our morals and direction that we gladly glorify violence and sex over education and morality? Lil’ Poopy doesn’t know what to do with woman sexually and the last time I checked, grown women shouldn’t be in his videos letting him slap their booties. It’s called pedophilia and our children deserve better. But the music industry begs to differ. What are your thoughts?

Mar Na Carter

About the author:

Mar Na Carter is a proud parent and a self-published author of Massive Thoughts: Free Verse Poetry. She resides in the 215 area code (Philadelphia) where she does spoken-word at various events and church functions. God has led her into the world of fiction and in the process of writing a Christian novel for young adults.

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