How can my wife help these rural middle-class kids think they're from the ghetto?

May 4, 2009 12:33 PM

My wife is teaching an after-school dance club for 7 year-olds. A few boys have enrolled and want to learn some street dance moves. What hip-hop tracks could she use? They need to be recent UK hits and, obviously, not sweary/rude/all about violence. Our community is about as far from inner-city street culture as it gets, so their posturing is hilarious, but she'd like to indulge them - without upsetting the head/parents/the girls.
posted by dowcrag to Media & Arts (14 answers total)

Best answer: Tinchy Stryder - Number 1
N-Dubz are generally rude/swear/violence free
Gorillaz are getting a bit long in the tooth, but would probably work
Estelle
M.I.A.?
posted by elsietheeel at 1:09 PM on May 4, 2009

I think "Jai Ho!" from Slumdog Millionaire is on the top 40 list right now. Super popular and fun to dance to.
posted by bluefly at 1:33 PM on May 4, 2009

I'm not sure what, if any of their songs would be recent UK hits, but lately I've been digging The Herd and the Hilltop Hoods a lot, both Australian hip-hop acts. The latter's "The Nosebleed Section" is catchy and fun and I think might fit, though a line or two might be too adult for seven year olds. Both groups seem to have mostly avoided the misogyny and gang-banging that appears to be endemic in the US.
posted by 6550 at 1:34 PM on May 4, 2009

The Streets?
posted by sacrifix at 1:52 PM on May 4, 2009

David Jordan - Sun Goes Down
posted by soelo at 1:55 PM on May 4, 2009

Dizzee Rascal - Dance Wiv Me (lyrics)
Something by The Go! Team? Not sure about their hip-hop cred with 7 y/os but would be good to dance to.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 1:59 PM on May 4, 2009

Just use the instrumental version of any song you choose, assuming you can find it.
posted by mikeinclifton at 4:16 PM on May 4, 2009

DJ Format is quite good, has some good "this is the best rapping ever" bragging and is still clean, that said it isn't quite as hard-sounding as other contemporary stuff which is possibly what the boys would like.
posted by so_necessary at 6:07 PM on May 4, 2009

Response by poster: Thanks, everyone!
posted by dowcrag at 11:41 PM on May 4, 2009

Fresh Prince / Will Smith! He never had to curse to sell records. Boom Shake The Room, Summertime, Gettin' Jiggy With It... awesome, handsome and wholesome in one package.

(Plus he'll count as old-school hiphop to these young uns, just as N-Dubz will be seen to those born 15 years from now.)
posted by laumry at 3:45 AM on May 5, 2009

(Sorry - am an idiot - forgot your stipulation that they should all be recent UK hits. Perhaps the continual Fresh Prince reruns on the Trouble channel would nevertheless argue for selecting some of Will Smith's oeuvre, despite its age.)
posted by laumry at 3:50 AM on May 5, 2009

You can find a "clean" or "radio edit" version of most popular songs on the internet. The content might still be objectionable, but it'll be inaudible.
posted by jander03 at 4:02 AM on May 5, 2009

I agree with laumry, Will Smith and his clean cut hip hop career came to my mind first when I read the question. Some great songs in his career ;P
posted by tumples at 10:15 AM on May 5, 2009

DJ Format is quite good, has some good "this is the best rapping ever" bragging and is still clean, that said it isn't quite as hard-sounding as other contemporary stuff which is possibly what the boys would like.

I was going to recommend Format too but the catchiest of his tracks (and thus the most likely to be liked by the target group) all have stuff that, while it could be played on the radio, probably wouldn't pass the "parents are OK with it" test.
posted by EndsOfInvention at 3:39 PM on May 5, 2009