Gun violence. Prescription pill abuse. Narcotic and alcohol dependence. Graphic references to sex positions with females (referred to as “hoes,” of course). Is this a police report from a twisted crime scene?
No. Our culture just has a new #1 song, that’s all.
The Latest Rock Star
With his tune rockstar, Austin Richard Post is the latest artist to ascend to the coveted #1 position on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Known to the world as Post Malone, he invited fellow rapper, 21 Savage, to join him on the single that’s become the most popular song at the moment. In case you have no idea who either of these guys are, allow them to introduce themselves via their oft-repeated chorus:
Ayy, I’ve been f**kin’ hoes and poppin’ pillies
Man, I feel just like a rockstar (star)
Ayy, ayy, all my brothers got that gas
And they always be smokin’ like a Rasta
F**kin’ with me, call up on a Uzi
And show up, name them the shottas
When my homies pull up on your block
They make that thing go grrrata-ta-ta (pow, pow, pow)
The song’s message is crystal clear: these guys want the sex, drugs, and money lifestyle that celebrity status affords rock stars. (They even embed references to the shenanigans of rock stars of yesteryear in their tune.) The rest of this song’s lyrics are equally foul and vulgar, but you may want to check them out for yourself just to ponder how a song like this could climb so high.
But rockstar isn’t just the country’s top record; it also shattered records, namely the most-streaming hit in a single week on Apple Music…with more than 25 million!
Everything We Love to Hate (or Hate to Love)
Our culture boasts that it hates the right things. If someone says something sexist, insensitive, politically incorrect… we’re outraged.
Are we?
I guess I’m having trouble reconciling the sexually-skewed lyrics of this wildly popular song with the outrage over Harvey Weinstein’s growing list of sexual victims. Or Dustin Hoffman’s. Or these other guys that everybody knows. After all, here’s how these two rappers speak about women:
Hit her from the back, pullin’ on her tracks
And now she screamin’ out, “No mas” (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Your wifey say I’m lookin’ like a whole snack (big snack)
Granted, there’s certainly a difference between sexual harassment (like that found in today’s headlines) and gratuitous immorality (like that found in the song), but there’s also crystal clear objectification and debasement of women in this song, as well (the visual of pulling on a girl’s hair while having sex with her until she screams). So, is that something to be enraged about…or entertained by?
Let’s keep going.
Malone echoes over and over again that he’s “poppin’ pillies” which is his way of referring to prescription pill use. According to the CDC, overdose deaths caused by prescription pills quadrupled between 1999 and 2015. In that time span, more than 183,000 people died from a prescription pill-induced death. So, are those thousands of deaths (and the deaths of celebrities such as Prince, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and many more) something to be mourned…or something to be ignored?
We’re not done yet.
There was no end to the outcry over the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas, and rightly so. After all, hundreds had their lives changed forever, and 59 lost their lives altogether. Yet, every single time rockstar is played, listeners tolerate multiple mentions of gang-related violence distributed at the business end of sub-machine guns:
F**kin’ with me, call up on a Uzi
And show up, name them the shottas
When my homies pull up on your block
They make that thing go grrrata-ta-ta (pow, pow, pow)
Again, we can’t have it both ways. It’s the height of hypocrisy to denounce gun violence publically, only to privately embrace it through our musical choices. I’ll go ahead and skip over the ubiquitous weed and alcohol references found in the song – even though young people routinely struggle with both – and simply say, “It’s time we make a decision.”
Are we going to denounce these realities…or download them?
Our duplicity is not only unbecoming, it’s embarrassing.
Sidestepping the Unacceptable
Post Malone and 21 Savage are not the only artists guilty of spewing rhythmic filth into today’s playlist, nor is rockstar the only song to contain reprehensible lyrics and messages. In fact, when rockstar finally topped Billboard’s Hot 100, it did so by dislodging Cardi B’s Bodak Yellow (Money Moves) from the #1 spot, yet another song filled with explicit themes. Sadly, the past few months has seen an escalation in some of the most vile and sex-saturated songs in recent memory.
But any adult with an Internet connection and courage can take great strides toward helping teenagers avoid unhealthy music and the consequences that stem from it.
- Take the time to do your homework. It only takes a few minutes to research a song’s lyrics, video, and meaning. Simply go to Google and search for the song’s lyrics. After reading through them, go to YouTube to see if the song has an accompanying music video. If it does, take the four minutes required to watch it. That simple combo usually offers more than enough information about a song’s meaning to make a decision. In short, you must take the time to be aware. Then….
- If necessary, take a stand. If your online study of a song yields a wholly unacceptable message, theme, or meaning, be courageous – and compassionate – enough to take a stand. (After all, having information does very little good unless it’s applied.) By “taking a stand,” I’m not advocating a self-pronounced media dictatorship. I simply mean that you should address the findings of your research with your kids. If a song is unacceptable, it’s not for your teens. The best strategy is to help them develop a healthy set of guidelines on their own. Here’s a practical resource that will help you lead them towards responsible parameters.
- Just because a song exists, and just because it’s #1, doesn’t mean our kids have to suffer through its foul and derogatory message. Do everything you can to help kids steer clear of unconscionable songs like this one.
David R. Smith
David R. Smith is the author of several books including Christianity... It's Like This and speaks to parents and leaders across the U.S. David is a 15-year youth ministry veteran, now a senior pastor, who specializes in sharing the gospel, and equipping others do the same. David provides free resources to anyone who works with teenagers on his website, DavidRSmith.org David resides with his wife and son in Tampa, Florida.
Recommended To You
Robertjed
March 9, 2025 at 10:14 amI was skeptical about CBD at initial, but after exasperating them like cbd gummies with no thc, I’m exceptionally impressed. They submit a handy and enjoyable sense to pick CBD without any hassle. I’ve noticed a calming intention, primarily in the evenings, which has helped with both significance and sleep. The finery as regards is the pre-measured dosage, so there’s no guessing involved. If you’re looking as a replacement for an easy and yummy course of action to experience CBD, gummies are plainly advantage considering—straight modify steady to pay off from a estimable brand!
To mt tài khon binance
March 10, 2025 at 11:00 amYour article helped me a lot, is there any more related content? Thanks!
Jeromesic
March 21, 2025 at 3:33 pmalo789hk: dang nh?p alo789 – alo789hk
Georgetom
March 24, 2025 at 1:49 amcanada drugs online: InterPharmOnline – canadian pharmacy online store
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 3:38 ammexican pharmacy online: reliable mexican pharmacies – Mexican Pharm International
MonteMap
March 24, 2025 at 7:05 amMexicanPharmInter Mexican Pharm Inter mexican pharmacy online order
WillisLutle
March 24, 2025 at 7:05 amhttp://mexicanpharminter.com/# Mexican Pharm International
Georgetom
March 24, 2025 at 8:20 amorder medicines online india: buying prescription drugs from india – buying prescription drugs from india
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 2:43 pmonline pharmacy india: online medicine shopping in india – order medicines online india
Georgetom
March 24, 2025 at 2:51 pmcanada drugs online reviews: canadian drugstore online no prescription – canadian pharmacy ed medications
MonteMap
March 24, 2025 at 4:12 pmsafe reliable canadian pharmacy most reliable canadian online pharmacies northwest pharmacy canada
WillisLutle
March 24, 2025 at 6:29 pmhttps://interpharmonline.shop/# best canadian online pharmacy
Jamesjiz
March 24, 2025 at 8:52 pmMexican Pharm International: mexican pharmacy online order – MexicanPharmInter
Georgetom
March 24, 2025 at 10:19 pmmexican pharmacy online store: mexican pharmacy online – mexican pharmacy online order
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 12:25 amhttps://indiamedfast.com/# order medicines online india
best canadian online pharmacy
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 1:16 amhttps://interpharmonline.com/# canadian pharmacy 24 com
MonteMap
March 25, 2025 at 3:09 amMexican Pharm Inter Mexican Pharm Inter reliable mexican pharmacies
Jamesjiz
March 25, 2025 at 4:18 ambest canadian pharmacy: InterPharmOnline – medication canadian pharmacy
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 6:58 amhttps://mexicanpharminter.com/# mexican pharmacy online order
canadian pharmacy oxycodone
Howardslutt
March 25, 2025 at 9:35 amlegal canadian pharmacy online: canada pharmacy no prescription – canada pharmacy online
Jamesjiz
March 25, 2025 at 11:52 amindia pharmacy without prescription: india pharmacy without prescription – online medicine shopping in india
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 1:42 pmhttp://interpharmonline.com/# reddit canadian pharmacy
canadianpharmacyworld
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 2:47 pmhttps://interpharmonline.com/# canadian pharmacy scam
MonteMap
March 25, 2025 at 2:56 pmIndiaMedFast lowest prescription prices online india cheapest online pharmacy india
Howardslutt
March 25, 2025 at 7:01 pmcanadian pharmacy service: most reliable canadian online pharmacies – best canadian pharmacy to buy from
Jamesjiz
March 25, 2025 at 7:49 pmbuying prescription drugs from india: buying prescription drugs from india – online pharmacy india
Arthurwef
March 25, 2025 at 8:40 pmhttp://indiamedfast.com/# india online pharmacy store
pharmacies in canada that ship to the us
WillisLutle
March 25, 2025 at 9:52 pmhttps://interpharmonline.shop/# canadian pharmacies compare
DwayneLah
March 26, 2025 at 2:51 amkamagra jelly kopen Kamagra kamagra kopen nederland
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 3:25 amhttp://tadalafileasybuy.com/# Cialis 20mg price
Williamben
March 26, 2025 at 3:56 amBuy Cialis online: cialis without a doctor prescription – cialis without a doctor prescription
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 4:30 amTadalafilEasyBuy.com: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – cialis without a doctor prescription
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 8:17 amhttps://generic100mgeasy.com/# buy generic 100mg viagra online
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 9:24 amhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# buy Viagra over the counter
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 10:30 amkamagra pillen kopen: Officiele Kamagra van Nederland – kamagra 100mg kopen
Williamben
March 26, 2025 at 11:03 amkamagra gel kopen: kamagra jelly kopen – kamagra pillen kopen
DwayneLah
March 26, 2025 at 12:30 pmGeneric 100mg Easy Generic 100mg Easy buy generic 100mg viagra online
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 2:05 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra kopen nederland
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 3:21 pmhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic 100mg Easy
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 4:31 pmTadalafilEasyBuy.com: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – TadalafilEasyBuy.com
Williamben
March 26, 2025 at 6:15 pmTadalafilEasyBuy.com: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – TadalafilEasyBuy.com
KennethLus
March 26, 2025 at 8:06 pmhttps://generic100mgeasy.com/# Generic 100mg Easy
TerryErose
March 26, 2025 at 9:36 pmhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic 100mg Easy
DwayneLah
March 26, 2025 at 10:36 pmbuy Viagra online Generic 100mg Easy Generic100mgEasy
GregoryAnter
March 26, 2025 at 11:22 pmOfficiele Kamagra van Nederland: Kamagra Kopen – Kamagra
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 3:06 amhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# Officiele Kamagra van Nederland
TerryErose
March 27, 2025 at 4:38 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.shop/# Tadalafil Easy Buy
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 7:16 amBuy Cialis online: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – Tadalafil Easy Buy
GregoryAnter
March 27, 2025 at 7:16 amKamagra: Kamagra – kamagra 100mg kopen
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 10:05 amhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra kopen nederland
DwayneLah
March 27, 2025 at 10:22 amCheap Viagra 100mg Cheap generic Viagra online Generic 100mg Easy
TerryErose
March 27, 2025 at 11:28 amhttp://generic100mgeasy.com/# buy Viagra online
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 12:38 pmkamagra pillen kopen: kamagra pillen kopen – kamagra jelly kopen
GregoryAnter
March 27, 2025 at 2:33 pmGeneric100mgEasy: Generic100mgEasy – Generic 100mg Easy
KennethLus
March 27, 2025 at 4:34 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra Kopen
TerryErose
March 27, 2025 at 5:53 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# Kamagra Kopen
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 5:59 pmGeneric Tadalafil 20mg price: TadalafilEasyBuy.com – Tadalafil Easy Buy
GregoryAnter
March 27, 2025 at 9:45 pmGeneric100mgEasy: viagra canada – Generic Viagra for sale
DwayneLah
March 27, 2025 at 9:50 pmbuy Viagra online Generic 100mg Easy buy generic 100mg viagra online
Williamben
March 27, 2025 at 11:23 pmGeneric100mgEasy: Generic100mgEasy – buy generic 100mg viagra online
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 12:18 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.com/# TadalafilEasyBuy.com
GregoryAnter
March 28, 2025 at 4:48 ambuy viagra here: buy generic 100mg viagra online – Generic 100mg Easy
Williamben
March 28, 2025 at 5:19 amGeneric100mgEasy: Generic 100mg Easy – Generic100mgEasy
KennethLus
March 28, 2025 at 5:22 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.com/# TadalafilEasyBuy.com
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 6:32 amhttp://generic100mgeasy.com/# Cheap generic Viagra online
DwayneLah
March 28, 2025 at 9:17 amTadalafil Easy Buy cialis without a doctor prescription TadalafilEasyBuy.com
KennethLus
March 28, 2025 at 11:30 amhttps://tadalafileasybuy.com/# Tadalafil Easy Buy
GregoryAnter
March 28, 2025 at 11:40 amGeneric Cialis without a doctor prescription: Tadalafil Easy Buy – cialis without a doctor prescription
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 12:37 pmhttps://kamagrakopen.pro/# kamagra kopen nederland
Williamben
March 28, 2025 at 1:12 pmKamagra: Kamagra Kopen Online – Officiele Kamagra van Nederland
KennethLus
March 28, 2025 at 5:35 pmhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic100mgEasy
GregoryAnter
March 28, 2025 at 6:26 pmKamagra Kopen: Kamagra Kopen Online – kamagra gel kopen
TerryErose
March 28, 2025 at 6:42 pmhttps://generic100mgeasy.shop/# Generic100mgEasy
DwayneLah
March 28, 2025 at 8:15 pmOfficiele Kamagra van Nederland Kamagra Kopen Online kamagra jelly kopen
Jamesmig
March 28, 2025 at 10:58 pmпин ап зеркало – пин ап казино официальный сайт
Williampaics
March 29, 2025 at 12:17 amпин ап казино официальный сайт – пин ап
Jessedib
March 29, 2025 at 12:55 amпин ап казино: https://pinupkz.life/
Jamesmig
March 29, 2025 at 5:07 amпин ап зеркало – пин ап казино зеркало
Jessedib
March 29, 2025 at 7:28 amпинап казино: https://pinupkz.life/
DwayneLah
March 29, 2025 at 11:14 amcialis without a doctor prescription Cialis without a doctor prescription Tadalafil Easy Buy
Jamesmig
March 29, 2025 at 11:35 amпин ап зеркало – пин ап зеркало
Williampaics
March 29, 2025 at 12:33 pmпин ап казино официальный сайт – пин ап казино официальный сайт
Jessedib
March 29, 2025 at 2:11 pmpinup 2025: https://pinupkz.life/
Jamesmig
March 29, 2025 at 6:03 pmpinup 2025 – пин ап вход
Williampaics
March 29, 2025 at 6:42 pmпин ап казино – пинап казино
Williampaics
March 30, 2025 at 12:40 amпин ап казино официальный сайт – пин ап
Jessedib
March 30, 2025 at 3:24 amпин ап казино зеркало: https://pinupkz.life/
Jamesmig
March 30, 2025 at 6:51 ampinup 2025 – пин ап казино
Williampaics
March 30, 2025 at 6:57 amпин ап зеркало – пин ап
DwayneLah
March 30, 2025 at 11:50 amGeneric Cialis without a doctor prescription Buy Tadalafil 5mg cialis without a doctor prescription
Jamesmig
March 30, 2025 at 1:21 pmпин ап – pinup 2025
Williampaics
March 30, 2025 at 1:25 pmпин ап казино зеркало – пин ап вход
Jessedib
March 30, 2025 at 5:18 pmпин ап зеркало: https://pinupkz.life/
DerekUnoto
March 31, 2025 at 2:42 amOnline apotheek Nederland zonder recept: Beste online drogist – online apotheek
MichaelTwedO
March 31, 2025 at 3:49 amKamagra Oral Jelly: Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen – Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen
HomerHop
March 31, 2025 at 4:54 amhttps://apotheekmax.com/# Online apotheek Nederland zonder recept
LouisCig
March 31, 2025 at 6:58 amhttps://apotheekmax.com/# Online apotheek Nederland met recept
DerekUnoto
March 31, 2025 at 8:30 amOnline apotheek Nederland zonder recept: Apotheek Max – Apotheek online bestellen
Malcolmnag
March 31, 2025 at 8:43 amBeste online drogist ApotheekMax online apotheek
MichaelTwedO
March 31, 2025 at 10:00 amKamagra kaufen: Kamagra Gel – Kamagra Oral Jelly
HomerHop
March 31, 2025 at 10:56 amhttps://apotheekmax.shop/# Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept
LouisCig
March 31, 2025 at 12:01 pmhttps://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans idag
DerekUnoto
March 31, 2025 at 2:04 pmKamagra kaufen ohne Rezept: Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen – Kamagra kaufen ohne Rezept
MichaelTwedO
March 31, 2025 at 4:03 pmKamagra kaufen ohne Rezept: kamagra – Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen
HomerHop
March 31, 2025 at 4:57 pmhttps://apotekonlinerecept.com/# apotek pa nett
LouisCig
March 31, 2025 at 5:07 pmhttp://apotheekmax.com/# Beste online drogist
Malcolmnag
March 31, 2025 at 5:57 pmapotek online apotek pa nett apotek online recept
DerekUnoto
March 31, 2025 at 7:42 pmBetrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept: de online drogist kortingscode – Online apotheek Nederland met recept
LouisCig
March 31, 2025 at 10:02 pmhttps://apotekonlinerecept.com/# apotek pa nett
MichaelTwedO
March 31, 2025 at 10:28 pmKamagra Oral Jelly kaufen: Kamagra Oral Jelly – Kamagra Original
HomerHop
March 31, 2025 at 11:53 pmhttps://apotekonlinerecept.shop/# Apotek hemleverans recept
DerekUnoto
April 1, 2025 at 2:29 amKamagra Oral Jelly kaufen: Kamagra Gel – Kamagra kaufen
LouisCig
April 1, 2025 at 3:20 amhttps://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans recept
Malcolmnag
April 1, 2025 at 5:02 amde online drogist kortingscode Betrouwbare online apotheek zonder recept Apotheek online bestellen
MichaelTwedO
April 1, 2025 at 5:32 amApotek hemleverans idag: Apoteket online – Apoteket online
HomerHop
April 1, 2025 at 7:30 amhttps://apotekonlinerecept.com/# Apotek hemleverans idag
DerekUnoto
April 1, 2025 at 9:19 amkamagra: Kamagra Oral Jelly kaufen – Kamagra Gel