Outlandish Behavior at Teen Parties

This is my first blog entry at "The Studio 54 Rebbe", also known as "Kosher Music & Entertainment".

I believe in getting things going by being controversial, so here we go.....

Before I became "observant" I witnessed the most outlandish behavior at kid events, particularly at both middle class & high-end bar and bat mitzvahs. I was dumbstruck for years as parents would advise me to play whatever their kids wanted to hear, no matter if I thought the lyrics were inappropriate. Then, as the years went by, it got even worse as little "Justin" & "Jessica" as well as all their friends would be dancing extremely inappropriately in the middle of the dance floor to whatever new reggae, r & b, or hip hop song was "hot" at the time. It became even more unbelievable as the parents would gather on the outskirts of the dance floor, actually watching, smiling & approving as 12 and 13 year old children were grinding with each other like exotic dancers. And those children who "behaved" when adults were close by, started dancing the same inappropriate way once the adults were out of sight.

Since I am in the "Orthodox Jewish" DJ business, my comments will reflect what I've experienced for the past 20 years in both the secular & Orthodox worlds.

By far, the overwhelming majority of parents who send their children to "Orthodox" Jewish day schools would agree with me that such behavior is unacceptable and quite reprehensible. However, there exists a small but growing minority in the Orthodox community that is far from innocent and/or immune to what their children listen to and want played at their simchas & on their ipods. I have turned away and/or lost work because I refuse to play unacceptable artists and/or songs that are completely inappropriate for teens & children. I've actually been told that it's not up to me to censor what they & their children wish to hear at their parties.

I believe there are boundaries that must be drawn and that as adults living in a world of the Modern Orthodox, left, right, non-Orthodox and especially those totally enveloped by non-Jewish influences, we have to stand up to the plate and be role models by telling our children just what is & isn't acceptable. Just in case you are totally oblivious, be very aware that 90% of the music played on the Top 40 stations your children and their friends listen to are completely inappropriate. The beats might be catchy, but the lyrics are definitely far removed from what was considered risque even back in the 70s & 80s. Back in the day, popular music was crawling with double entendres. Now it's blatant and in your face, regarding what the young singers physically wish to do to the subject of their songs, no matter if the music is pop, hip hop, dance or R&B. In the near future, I will be posting more links to lyrics of Top 10 songs that your children are listening to and requesting me to play at their Bar & Bat Mitzvahs. Obviously, I don't play anything inappropriate.
Here is a popular request I've recently been getting from some "frum" kids. The song is called "Crank That Soulja Boy".

You may not understand much of the slang used, but you'll unpleasantly get the gist of the song.

I also still get random requests for "Yeah" by Usher & Ludacris. Can somebody PLEASE explain to me how you can possibly think it's okay for kids to sing and dance to lyrics like these:

"My outfit's ridiculous, In the club lookin' so conspicuous.
And Rowl! These women all on the prowl, if you hold the head steady I'm a milk the cow.
Forget about the game I'm a spit the truth, I won't stop till I get em in they birthday suits.
So gimmie the rhythm and it'll be off with they clothes, then bend over to the front and touch your toes.
I left the jag and I took the roles, if they aint cutting then I put em on foot patrol.
How you like me now, when my pinky's valued over three hundred thousand,
Lets drank you the one to please, Ludacris fill cups like double d's.
Me and Ush once more and we leave em dead, we want a lady in the street but a freak in the bed ."

Please comment on this, especially if you are one of those parents who think it's cool for prepubescent children to dance to and sing the lyrics to songs like "Yeah" & 2006's "Promiscuous Girl. Also, I want to hear from the non-Orthodox as well. How do you justify to your children and their friends regarding setting boundaries regarding their music? Non-Jews are free to chime in as well, as I know this is also a big problem in the evangelical world, too.