In previous threads on this forum, I've heard people who were kids in the early-mid 2000s claim that they and their peers listened to artists like 50 Cent and Eminem, despite them being "dirty" and their target audience being more teens. Did this cause issue with teachers and parents? Did the kids feel "edgy" and funny listening to them?

I started elementary school in August 2005 and never knew anyone who listened to those artists. Back then, around 2006-07 in particular, I listened to Nickelback, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, etc.

My edgy teen phase happened from age 7-9. ;D

I do remember in the 2009-10 school year, everyone in my grade seemed to love Drake, including myself.

In previous threads on this forum, I've heard people who were kids in the early-mid 2000s claim that they and their peers listened to artists like 50 Cent and Eminem, despite them being "dirty" and their target audience being more teens. Did this cause issue with teachers and parents? Did the kids feel "edgy" and funny listening to them?


In middle school around 2001/2008  a lot of people who were white were trying to act black, even having african american sound accents, people were dressing like Eminem

I started elementary school in August 2005 and never knew anyone who listened to those artists. Back then, around 2006-07 in particular, I listened to Nickelback, Evanescence, Breaking Benjamin, Shinedown, etc.

My edgy teen phase happened from age 7-9. ;D

I do remember in the 2009-10 school year, everyone in my grade seemed to love Drake, including myself.


Those artists are more of an early 2000s thing
tho 50 cent was huge in 2005

Those artists are more of an early 2000s thing
tho 50 cent was huge in 2005

*Early-mid 2000s you mean. Because 2005 was really nothing like the early 2000s.

/decadelogy mode off

*Early-mid 2000s you mean. Because 2005 was really nothing like the early 2000s.

/decadelogy mode off

something like that yeah, during around 2001/2002 people started acting black with accents, not everyone, but you would
see people at the lockers dress with their pants low and wear something similar to what Ludacris or Eminem would wear.

Sure, many of us listened to those artists. However, at my school, we generally did not play those songs around teachers so it wasn't really a problem. My mom didn't mind either, she listened to the same artists.

If you're interested I could tell you about my experiences regarding the slang that came with that type of music and how it sometimes caused confusion in school.  I remember in 4 or 5th grade, my music teacher asked one of my classmates a question and the student responded with "for shizzle my nizzle."  My teacher said "what does even mean?" That phrase makes me cringe so hard now lol but it used to be cool to say it.

I also remember another incident in 1st or 2nd grade where I called this girl's outfit "phat." My teacher thought I was calling her fat as in overweight but "phat" just meant cool. The teacher told me she was disappointed in me for calling another student names.


In middle school around 2001/2008  a lot of people who were white were trying to act black, even having african american sound accents, people were dressing like Eminem

I find this to be hilarious lol.

Sure, many of us listened to those artists. However, at my school, we generally did not play those songs around teachers so it wasn't really a problem. My mom didn't mind either, she listened to the same artists.

If you're interested I could tell you about my experiences regarding the slang that came with that type of music and how it sometimes caused confusion in school.  I remember in 4 or 5th grade, my music teacher asked one of my classmates a question and the student responded with "for shizzle my nizzle."  My teacher said "what does even mean?" That phrase makes me cringe so hard now lol but it used to be cool to say it.

I also remember another incident in 1st or 2nd grade where I called this girl's outfit "phat." My teacher thought I was calling her fat as in overweight but "phat" just meant cool. The teacher told me she was disappointed in me for calling another student names.
I find this to be hilarious lol.

its funny but its true lol

I most certainly did. Granted, back in 2nd-5th grade I was one of those 'edgy' kids, if you know what I mean. My friend had a Discman back in 4th grade, and my other friends had tons of mix cds of Eminem, 50 Cent, Jay Z, etc. and we'd just listen to it on the playgrounds at school or riding on the bus ride from school 8).

I also had three older siblings who watched 106 & Park and TRL religiously every day after school. My sister (born in 1991) actually had a poster of Eminem on her bedroom wall, you could tell she was into him. I remember my siblings always teasing her back in the day ;D.

In middle school around 2001/2008  a lot of people who were white were trying to act black, even having african american sound accents, people were dressing like Eminem


Stupid people. LMAOO! ;D ;D

Yes, we did but we didn't play the somgs at school or anything.

They were popular artists on the radio so of course we listened to them.

Little kids today listen to Migos, Cardi B, Lil Yachty, Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Pump, Drake, Big Sean, etc.

Does kindergarten count? Anyway, I have a brother who used to be a huge fan of both Eminem and 50 Cent, and he used to let me listen with him even though the lyrics were very inappropiate for a 5 year old ;D.

In middle school around 2001/2008  a lot of people who were white were trying to act black, even having african american sound accents, people were dressing like Eminem


LOL this is 1000% true. Everyone was a wigger. It started in 1990 or thereabouts and spanned the entire 1990s and 2000s. I think it peaked in 2005 with 50 Cent, Usher, Kanye West and Eminem all in the game. Then John Cena came and he was every 12 year old white boy's idol with his dumb rapping and the whole "you can't see me" shtick. The PSP was also targeted at a very "wangsta" demographic. They hyped up Grand Theft Auto to high heaven.

There was a reality show on MuchMusic, I think it was called Rap School that aired from about 2002-2005. It was f*cking hilarious ;D

All the kids at my middle school circa 2004 srsly

http://cdn.ebaumsworld.com/picture/1994300ex/wigger4.gif
http://i.imgur.com/I7L3lvD.jpg
http://www.deadrebelsociety.com/wiggers.jpg

Yes, I was a little kid and I listened to Eminem and 50 Cent. I didn't listen to it to feel edgy, it was just the popular thing to do and my brother and friends listened to them too so I followed them. I was really into mainstream pop culture as a kid, the music that targeted teens I listened to a lot. Then ironically when I was a teen, I didn't care about pop culture at all and only liked the underground scene. When 2007 came around I stopped caring about pop culture.

I'm sure some of them did, sneaking without their parents' permission.  ;D  ;D  ;D

I started primary school in February 2005. There were a few kids in my grade who liked and listened to Eminem, but the majority of kids (including myself) preferred listening to rock.

I remember back in 3rd grade kids were talking about 50 cent candy shop. Most of the rap kids at my elementary school was the snap rap of the mid 00s

I started primary school in February 2005. There were a few kids in my grade who liked and listened to Eminem, but the majority of kids (including myself) preferred listening to rock.

Most of the people in my school prefered rap.

My older brother was in elementary for most of the 2000s, so he probably did since he did listen to 50 cent and he now sometimes listen early-mid 2000s eminem songs, he was 10 when Souja Boy crank that became a hit.

It's always more likely that middle schoolers and high schoolers are going to listen and pay attention to mainstream artists than elementary schoolers. That's just factual. When it comes to elementary schoolers it's going to always depend on their family background. Usually if their parents or older siblings played it around them then they'll be aware of mainstream artists, otherwise most kids pay attention to kid type stuff and activities. I'm the oldest of 3 younger siblings (all sisters) and 2007 at age 11 was my first full year keeping up with mainstream music on a regular basis and listening to music stations as well. I was too young to remember the Y2K era culture, the Y2K teen pop artists, and the Y2K hip hop and R&B at the time. My sisters and younger cousins I know for a fact they got into mainstream music between age 8-10 because they had older influence around them unlike I did or my oldest cousin. If you're the oldest of your family it was probably your older cousins or parents (if they were still into mainstream music) who helped you get into mainstream artists at an earlier age than most people. If there's any music I got lucky remembering between 1999 and 2006 it was because it was played on the radio over and over again at family gatherings. I remember when "Who Let The Dogs Out" first came out and that was in Summer 2000 which feels like MILLIONS of years ago to me. I remember seeing Outkast, 50 Cent, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and many others everywhere throughout the core 2000's as well, and the funny thing is it wasn't predominantly because of their music it was because they were very popular at the time. There's mainstream music from the core 2000's I remembering hearing everywhere but not aware of who the artists were, but years later I'll listen to it again and I'll be like "oh really, I didn't know this was P!nk, Black Eyed Peas, or Outkast the whole time when I was a little kid".

It's always more likely that middle schoolers and high schoolers are going to listen and pay attention to mainstream artists than elementary schoolers. That's just factual. When it comes to elementary schoolers it's going to always depend on their family background. Usually if their parents or older siblings played it around them then they'll be aware of mainstream artists, otherwise most kids pay attention to kid type stuff and activities. I'm the oldest of 3 younger siblings (all sisters) and 2007 at age 11 was my first full year keeping up with mainstream music on a regular basis and listening to music stations as well. I was too young to remember the Y2K era culture, the Y2K teen pop artists, and the Y2K hip hop and R&B at the time. My sisters and younger cousins I know for a fact they got into mainstream music between age 8-10 because they had older influence around them unlike I did or my oldest cousin. If you're the oldest of your family it was probably your older cousins or parents (if they were still into mainstream music) who helped you get into mainstream artists at an earlier age than most people. If there's any music I got lucky remembering between 1999 and 2006 it was because it was played on the radio over and over again at family gatherings. I remember when "Who Let The Dogs Out" first came out and that was in Summer 2000 which feels like MILLIONS of years ago to me. I remember seeing Outkast, 50 Cent, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and many others everywhere throughout the core 2000's as well, and the funny thing is it wasn't predominantly because of their music it was because they were very popular at the time. There's mainstream music from the core 2000's I remembering hearing everywhere but not aware of who the artists were, but years later I'll listen to it again and I'll be like "oh really, I didn't know this was P!nk, Black Eyed Peas, or Outkast the whole time when I was a little kid".

Everyone in my elementary school school listened to mainstream music. Mainstream music really targets the kids more than anyone else. When I was a teen, I began to lose interest in mainstream music. When you go through your teen years you begin to move past mainstream and move on to some other more rebellious genres. 50 Cent was huge when I was in elementary.

It's always more likely that middle schoolers and high schoolers are going to listen and pay attention to mainstream artists than elementary schoolers. That's just factual. When it comes to elementary schoolers it's going to always depend on their family background. Usually if their parents or older siblings played it around them then they'll be aware of mainstream artists, otherwise most kids pay attention to kid type stuff and activities. I'm the oldest of 3 younger siblings (all sisters) and 2007 at age 11 was my first full year keeping up with mainstream music on a regular basis and listening to music stations as well. I was too young to remember the Y2K era culture, the Y2K teen pop artists, and the Y2K hip hop and R&B at the time. My sisters and younger cousins I know for a fact they got into mainstream music between age 8-10 because they had older influence around them unlike I did or my oldest cousin. If you're the oldest of your family it was probably your older cousins or parents (if they were still into mainstream music) who helped you get into mainstream artists at an earlier age than most people. If there's any music I got lucky remembering between 1999 and 2006 it was because it was played on the radio over and over again at family gatherings. I remember when "Who Let The Dogs Out" first came out and that was in Summer 2000 which feels like MILLIONS of years ago to me. I remember seeing Outkast, 50 Cent, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and many others everywhere throughout the core 2000's as well, and the funny thing is it wasn't predominantly because of their music it was because they were very popular at the time. There's mainstream music from the core 2000's I remembering hearing everywhere but not aware of who the artists were, but years later I'll listen to it again and I'll be like "oh really, I didn't know this was P!nk, Black Eyed Peas, or Outkast the whole time when I was a little kid".
It was kinda the same with me since I was an older sibling (i had older siblings but they were all grown by the time I came along) because i was adopted by an older mom and my mom didn't allow me and my lil brother playing secular music; but because I lived with my cousins I was exposed to a lot of hip-hop and rnb of the 2000s, and because I lived an apartment I heard a lot of hip-hop, Dancehal and Latan pop as well.  That's the reason why I can remember songs like Get Busy, Move ya Body, Candy Shop, Gasolina, We Fly High and Nore Nothin because of living with my extended family and growing up in the inner-city.

Dancehal and Latan pop as well.

Dancehall didn't exist in the 2000s, at least not in the mainstream. That was only a 2016 - 2017 trend. It died down now too.

Dancehall didn't exist in the 2000s, at least not in the mainstream. That was only a 2016 - 2017 trend. It died down now too.

It actually was popular in the 1970s.

Dancehall didn't exist in the 2000s, at least not in the mainstream. That was only a 2016 - 2017 trend. It died down now too.
Sean paul did, I consider Danceha pop-reggae

Dancehall didn't exist in the 2000s, at least not in the mainstream. That was only a 2016 - 2017 trend. It died down now too.

That's false. Beenie Man, Elephant man, Sean Paul, etc

Oh well I haven't heard too much of it in the 2000s.

Everyone in my elementary school school listened to mainstream music. Mainstream music really targets the kids more than anyone else. When I was a teen, I began to lose interest in mainstream music. When you go through your teen years you begin to move past mainstream and move on to some other more rebellious genres. 50 Cent was huge when I was in elementary.


Not true at all. A lot of mainstream music either appeals to a wide large audience or it's explicit with cussing in it or themes that are too mature for young kids. There are clean versions of songs but the message is still there. It may not have been the same for where you grew up, and I understand that, but as Mario already mentioned, there were a lot of parents I knew who banned their children from secular music, even middle school kids too and that's usually the youngest children start to keep up with mainstream music on a regular basis. Like I said before, it's usually kids with older siblings, or some parents who are still into mainstream music that allows kids to know the music, otherwise kids are going to pay attention to pop culture that's directly targeted towards kids.

The prime target audience for music is 14 to 22 year old's with 18 being the peak. In other words, high school and college students are the target audience. Just look at Ariana Grande "God's A Woman", Drake "Nice For What", Wiz Khalifa "Taylor Gang", or Kendrick Lamar "Humble", you believe any of that type of music with the lyrics and themes are targeted directly towards kids LMAO!? This has been the case for decades, not just now. Pharrell Williams "Happy", Mark Ronson "Uptown Funk", and Ed Sheeran "Shape of You" are examples of music that appeals to everybody. My parents always reminisce 80's music and they were born in the 60's. The latest decade for music they cared about the most was the 90's but they didn't even pay attention to that entire decade. Various aunts and uncles in my family born in the 70's enjoyed the 90's decade for music the most, even if they had 80's influence.

Not true at all. A lot of mainstream music either appeals to a wide large audience or it's explicit with cussing in it or themes that are too mature for young kids. There are clean versions of songs but the message is still there. It may not have been the same for where you grew up, and I understand that, but as Mario already mentioned, there were a lot of parents I knew who banned their children from secular music, even middle school kids too and that's usually the youngest children start to keep up with mainstream music on a regular basis. Like I said before, it's usually kids with older siblings, or some parents who are still into mainstream music that allows kids to know the music, otherwise kids are going to pay attention to pop culture that's directly targeted towards kids.

The prime target audience for music is 14 to 22 year old's with 18 being the peak. In other words, high school and college students are the target audience. Just look at Ariana Grande "God's A Woman", Drake "Nice For What", Wiz Khalifa "Taylor Gang", or Kendrick Lamar "Humble", you believe any of that type of music with the lyrics and themes are targeted directly towards kids LMAO!? This has been the case for decades, not just now. Pharrell Williams "Happy", Mark Ronson "Uptown Funk", and Ed Sheeran "Shape of You" are examples of music that appeals to everybody. My parents always reminisce 80's music and they were born in the 60's. The latest decade for music they cared about the most was the 90's but they didn't even pay attention to that entire decade. Various aunts and uncles in my family born in the 70's enjoyed the 90's decade for music the most, even if they had 80's influence.

Yes I think children listen to mainstream pop more than any other audience and they are absolutely a target. When I was 11  everyone was talking about mainstream singers. When I was a teen, less people cared, including myself. They lure kids in by making videos that look flashy and cool and it is very easily accessible, no matter how inappropriate it is. I never said the music industry are saints. I believe the content of mainstream music programs children at a young age, and there has been evidence where kids want to be like their favourite celebrities and it is extremely common, not sure how you can't see that.

I'm really surprised at the amount of people who have said as kids that their parents restricted type of music they listened too. It's not just here on this board either. My mom never restricted the type of music, movies, etc I could watch haha. She did teach me when something was right or wrong though in those movies or songs.

I'm really surprised at the amount of people who have said as kids that their parents restricted type of music they listened too. It's not just here on this board either. My mom never restricted the type of music, movies, etc I could watch haha. She did teach me when something was right or wrong though in those movies or songs.


I have two children - one born in 1998, the other in 2002.  I wouldn't have been happy with them listening to rap artists when they were in elementary school as I didn't like the themes of these songs. We tried to restrict the amount of swearing and disrespecting they saw or heard in tv shows and movies as well.

I'm really surprised at the amount of people who have said as kids that their parents restricted type of music they listened too. It's not just here on this board either. My mom never restricted the type of music, movies, etc I could watch haha. She did teach me when something was right or wrong though in those movies or songs.

Exactly. And even if they do restrict it, it is everywhere. In the stores, on the radios, magazines, etc. So it would never be fully restricted.

Exactly. And even if they do restrict it, it is everywhere. In the stores, on the radios, magazines, etc. So it would never be fully restricted.


But if you have obedient kids (like I was), you'll self-restrict anyway.

One of the cutest things my little sister did was inform me that her Netflix account wasn't set to a child's account, and she was able to see all sorts of adult videos, which she wasn't allowed to see ;D

Not true at all. A lot of mainstream music either appeals to a wide large audience or it's explicit with cussing in it or themes that are too mature for young kids. There are clean versions of songs but the message is still there. It may not have been the same for where you grew up, and I understand that, but as Mario already mentioned, there were a lot of parents I knew who banned their children from secular music, even middle school kids too and that's usually the youngest children start to keep up with mainstream music on a regular basis. Like I said before, it's usually kids with older siblings, or some parents who are still into mainstream music that allows kids to know the music, otherwise kids are going to pay attention to pop culture that's directly targeted towards kids.

The prime target audience for music is 14 to 22 year old's with 18 being the peak. In other words, high school and college students are the target audience.

I think part of the reason Slim said that is because once you get older (let's say 13+) you're less likely to consume pop culture at surface level. Older kids/young adults have more options when it comes to the type of pop culture they pay attention to because they have more freedom to explore underground music, fashion, movies, etc. A child that is 8 years old more than likely isn't going to go out of their way to search for independent films or independent artists. Therefore, they're forced to consume the pop culture that's on popular formats such as radio and television. I know that when I was a kid, I didn't know that much music outside of radio/television but when I became a preteen/teen, I was able to use the internet more to discover underground music on MySpace, Limewire, Rapsody, etc. and as a result, popular music was not always my main focus anymore.

Eminem actually rapped about on a bunch of his songs how kids listen to him and how he gets blamed by the parents for being a bad influence.