This post is brought to you by the Artist: Soulja Boy; the Song: "Report Card"; and the defecation of musical marketing media on the common senses of the masses... this post is my opinion, and while my own i am quite sure the sentiment rings true with others.
Artist: Soulja Boy f/ Arab
Album: SouljaBoyTellEm.com
Song: Report Card
Typed by: OHHLA Webmaster DJ Flash
[Intro: Soulja Boy]
Man I just got my report card today mayne
I looked at it man I had all F's on it
I took it back to the teacher and told her throw some D's on it
LIKE THAT! Soulja Boy up in the building (throw some D's on that-on that)
I just got my report card (throw some D's on that-on that)
I just got my report card (throw some D's on that-on that)
AYYYYY~!
[Chorus: Soulja Boy]
Soulja Boy chillin dog, just got my report card
Looked at it, all F's, took it to the teacher desk
(Throw some D's on that-on that) I just got my report card
(Throw some D's on that-on that) I just got my report card
AYYYYY~! (Throw some D's.. throw some D's-throw some D's)
(Throw some-throw some D's-throw some D's) I just got my report card
(Throw some D's-throw some D's)
(Throw some-throw some D's-throw some D's) I took it to the teacher desk
(Throw some D's-throw some D's, throw some-throw some D's-throw some D's)
(Throw some D's-throw some D's, throw some-throw some D's on that-on that)
[Verse One: Soulja Boy]
Sittin up in the classroom, she gettin on my nerves
The teacher talin 'bout, "Soulja Boy do yo' work"
She talkin 'bout adjectives, pronouns, and verbs
I'm knocked out, I ain't hearin nuttin the class heard
I'm daydreamin hard bout that Stacks on Deck
But I don't know how I'm gon' pass my next test
I got my 'port card, I'm like what the hell is this
I took it back to the teacher and then I told her
[Chorus]
[Verse Two: Arab]
I always be in school but I be walkin halls
A lot of teachers give me tests, but they be super hard
I get into some trouble then my momma calls
But after I get out the office I'ma tell 'em all that I'ma superstar
And that's best
Everytime you see me up in class my head on the desk
And when you see me on them girls you know that I'm superfresh
Yeah teachers, students
Class, stupid (AYYYYY~!)
[Chorus]
[Verse Three: Soulja Boy]
I just got my report card, I just got my report card
I just got my report card, I just got my report card
Throw some D's on that-on that! Throw some D's on that-on that!
Throw some D's on that-on that! Throw some D's on that-on that!
I got a 47 up in math, a 67 in english
A 14 in science, man what the heck they thinkin?
Throw some D's on that-on that! Throw some D's on that-on that!
Throw some D's on that-on that! Throw some D's on that-on that!
AYYYYY~!
[Chorus]
[Outro]
Throw some D's on that-on that! {*4X*}
Throw some D's-throw some D's, throw some-throw some D's on that-on that....
Growing up in a single parental home, I was always raised to respect the power that education gave you. Growing up, my immigrant mother, who only had a high school education, did the best she could to ensure that her three children would be given the advantages she never had. Her most used phrase was and still is, "No matter hwat happens in this world,there are a few things that can NEVER be taken from you. Education is one of those tools." Growing up, one thing that always gave me pride was how well I performed in school, nopt only for myself but also for my mom. I am not going to go into a long rant about myself, rather this post is in direct reference to the Soulja Boy song "Report Card" and indirectly to the direction that education in this society has come to.
I overheard my 13 yr old cousin listening and rapping to this song the other day. And while initially I ignored him due to the fact that it was a soulja boy song, i made myself actually to listen to the lyrics or lack thereof (because honestly any of his songs usually consist of 4 hooks and 2 verses that are not only eerily similar but essentially are synonymous with one another. and don't get me started on the monotone and dry "beats"). The lyrics bothered me because a few weeks ago, Soulja Boy became the most downloaded person in history, or something to that effect. Meaning that his songs and simply his "message" is reaching millions of people. This sickens me because that means that many impressionable young men and women tend to heed this message.
In the American inner cities... the saying goes that to make it out of the "hood" or any impoverished position., one must be well versed in music, sports, or do something illegal (crime, drugs, etc). Rarely is it praised when someone puts in that hard work, educates themselves and lifts themselves up from their bootstraps. Who can blame the youth to look forward to the quick and easy way out. When athletes are signing millions of dollars in guaranteed money just because they can shoot, run, and jump it is definitely appealing. When musicians are given signing bonuses to flaunt their bodies (while lip synching) or spread most likely fibulated tales of their "hood" upbringing, why fight it? Why not just get money my, nigga?!?!!?The promise of riches is indeed tempting.
And let's not be silly. I understand not everyone is set out to be valedictorians or PhD candidates. What I AM saying is that the promotion of the educational system in the US has been placed in the backburner because the capitalist nature of our society finds no way to actually capitalize on promoting education. This is why a promoter at a glitzy nightclub makes upwards of 3 times more than what a catholic grammar school teacher with a Master's degree works.
Do I have a way to fix the problem that I am complaining about? Of course not, but I think that realizing that there is a problem is definitely the best way to get started on fixing it. Let's be real. In today's world, parents ARE overstressed. Not tooo many families can afford to have one parent stay at home, due to the cost of living, planning for college, and actually perhaps saving for retirement. Many parents make their best attempts at still staying connected in their kids lives. However for those parents who actually DO make it a habit to stay involved, most things they teach their kids (education, morals, etc) can easily be thwarted by not only the media but by your child's environment, specifically their misinformed classmates. Whats easier to do on a Tuesday afternoon? Study for that big World History 1 test OR put on BET/MTV/VH1 and rock to Soulja Boy's latest video? Not too many things can beat the allure of the BLING.
I have nothing personal against Soulja Boy. He is being used to sell albums, nay sell a new youth musical movement. And in the meantime, the boy is making that money as well. What I am worried about is that little boy or girl who forsakes honing their mental, logical, and creative skills at their most formative years and then DO NOT make it in sports, music, tv, ETC... what happens to that kid? There are many statisitics that show that the options aren't that optimistic. But you know what? "Who cares? This Soulja Boy is HOT!!!" _my lil cousin right before i took the cd AWAY from him.
Disclaimer: I am not only a fan of education but I plan on going into the field once I complete my Master's Degree. So I am extremely biased. But it's my blog, so BUZZ OFF before I CRANK DAT =)
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