Driving with the kids, I crank up the radio to find myself jamming to the latest hit by Cardi B, “I Like It.” My sons are huge fans of hers, and I’m thrilled they admire a female rapper. We’re having a blast singing along and dancing in the car—until I catch a line that makes my heart drop: “Beat it up like piñatas.”
Thank goodness I’m behind the wheel, because I can only imagine the expression on my face is a mix of shock and horror. I brace myself for the inevitable question from my inquisitive 10-year-old: “Mom, what does that mean?” If I say it’s inappropriate, that just makes him more curious. What if he decides to look it up later?
Just then, my younger son interrupts with a Minecraft question, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Once home, I sneakily search “beat it up like piñatas meaning,” thankful for SafeSearch’s vague results.
I’m always open to giving my kids age-appropriate information about sex, but this lyric is layered with meanings about intimacy, consent, and hip-hop culture—way beyond their current understanding. They’re just starting out in Sex Ed, and this is definitely a graduate-level topic!
Since the rise of FM radio, suggestive lyrics have been a staple in music, and while I’m okay with that, there are some songs I really wish I could avoid discussing right now. Here’s a list of five tracks that make me cringe, hoping my kids don’t pay too much attention.
1. Dua Lipa, “New Rules.”
This catchy tune contains lyrics like, “You know you’re going to wake up in his bed in the morning/And if you’re under him, you’re not getting over him.” Clever, but I’m not ready to explain the details of intimate relationships to my kids just yet.
2. Cardi B, “Bodak Yellow.”
It gets super awkward when my kids rap along and hit the line where she says, “My p**** feel like a lake.” The radio bleeps it out, but I’m not sure they realize what’s been censored. Let’s save that conversation for when they’re older, like in 5th grade sex ed!
3. Ariana Grande, “Side to Side.”
This song is described as referring to the discomfort that can follow intimacy. The thought of explaining that to my kids makes me cringe.
4. Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar.”
I love Post Malone’s unique vibe, but I can’t help but duck down in my seat when I hear, “Hit it from the back/Pulling on her tracks/And now she’s screaming out ‘No mas.’” If they ask, I’ll just say I have no clue what that means.
5. G-Eazy, “No Limit.”
With a chorus that objectifies women, this song gets a solid 12 on the cringe scale. I’ll use this as a teachable moment to instill respect for women in my sons, but again, this is definitely advanced material.
There’s no escaping the fact that kids will hear these songs, whether I like it or not. My role is to explain things when it’s appropriate and dodge the topics that aren’t ready for discussion. If they ask about something too complex, I’ll let them know we’ll tackle it later.
But seriously, I’d prefer not to explain what “Boolin’ with a thot-thot/She gon’ give me top-top” means anytime soon.
For more insights into parenting, be sure to check out our other post on artificial insemination kits at Make a Mom, and for a deeper dive into baby registries, visit Intracervical Insemination. If you’re looking for reliable information on fertility, Medical News Today is an excellent resource.
In summary, navigating the world of pop music with kids can be tricky, especially with suggestive lyrics. It’s important to find the right moment for discussions about adult themes while ensuring kids still enjoy the music.