Fresh back on the scene after a presumably small break, music sensation Willow Smith is back to work. Over the weekend the cute daughter of Hollywood powerhouse Will Smith and his equally popular actress wife Jada Pinkett-Smith partnered up Young Money rapstress Nicki Minaj. The two collaborated on the more marketable follow-up to Willow’s “Whip My Hair,” with a new track titled “Fireball.” Both female-entertainers also joined forces unofficially on the remix to “Whip My Hair.” earlier this year, but seeing as though it was an official two-parter to an epic record that shot the “Roc Nation,” starlet atop of the charts.
Upon learning that the video was shot in Los Angeles this past weekeend, I couldn’t help but pause at the official pairing of these too. Has wholesome appeal ultimately gone away in 2012? It’s an honest question to ask seeing as though the fresh-faced black princess is paring up with a counterpart who’s lyrics you’d be hard pressed to be find suitable for anyone in Willow’s age range. Not to come off like a prude to my generation, but whatever happened to wholesome appeal obsequious to remaining wholesome? From nip-slips, to oftentimes vulgar lyrics, the pairing of the most dominant female rapper of our time, with one of the most arguable new starlets of the year, appears to be a severe case in poor judgment.
Though innocent and uptempo as the track comes off, couldn’t one argue that Nicki Minaj’s overall adult themed brand is completely inappropriate? While the “Super Bass,” young audience can’t be denied, the age range in which Willow is apart of seems a bit too bright-eyed and absorbent given Nicki’s adult themed display. Upon hearing, “Fireball, It’s no wonder as to how the American music award nominee was paired with the already young millionaire. The Trinidadian recording artist’s signature tone is pitch perfect for Caribbean inspired uptempo music. But, In taking a brief look through musical history via Wikipedia, there’s no evidence of a musical pairing as radical as these two in terms of age range and genres. So the auspicious tone amongst my musical peers is appalling given the nature of the discussion.
Is it ok as a society that we now allow barely their 10 year-old’s to team-up with adults who’s music is anything but kid friendly? How do we keep Willow’s young fans from buying into a much more maturer Nicki Minaj? While both are showing no signs of slowing down, the powers that be really need consider the morale ramifications of exposing our young children to such adult themes so early in life. Direct or indirect it may be.
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