"Good Good"

As I was perusing blogs this morning, I came across a link to Ashanti's latest track: "Good Good". It is similar to Missy Elliot's ".... Don't Fail Me Now". I must admit, that was my jam in college. I was like 19 years old. I really just liked the beat. The music was hot. Missy's harmonies were on point. And Tweet's strong soprano added that extra umph that the song needed. Now, Ashanti's "Good Good" is no where near Missy's level when it comes to production and vocals. It's a simple song. It echoes the talentless, pointless, crap that runs ramped on radio and TV.

My problem with the song is the message. See, the problem with our youth and young adults today is that we don't know our worth. We don't realize that we are worth more than sex. We don't realize that we are worth more than being someone's "Bust it Baby". We don't realize that skimpy clothes and weave DO NOT make us beautiful. But see, that is what we see on TV every day. That is what we hear on the radio every day. So, teenagers strive to look like the video girls that their favorite artists are lusting after.

And I know this because I used to look at videos and compare myself. I'll never forget how hurt I was when my boyfriend and I were watching the video for "Say My Name". Beyonce did this thing with her hips and he FELL OUT! Up until that point, I was never insecure about myself. I never compared myself to anyone else. I thought I was the ISH! I could never understand why women got mad about their men looking at untouchable celebrities on TV. But my perfect little world came to an end that day. All of a sudden, I noticed the things that they had that I didn't have. And I wanted it.

So, imagine what young ladies are thinking now. Now they must have that GOOD GOOD to keep a man. Sex will make him stay. Sex will make him want me. Sex will make him want to marry me. Are you serious???? Sex is sex. And everything that she says in that song is all wrong! There is always someone better- no matter what the circumstance is. So, saying that your good loving is going to keep him is naive and stupid. And you would think she would grasp this concept- being a grown woman and all.

Let's also talk about how this is promoting sex before marriage. No, I'm no virgin. Yes, I did some things in my day. But thank God that I'm still here to know that everything that glitters isn't gold. There is a problem with our youth and songs like "Good Good" and "Bust it Baby" are contributing factors. Why can't we "Wait Awhile" anymore? And how you gonna take a song about waiting to have sex and turn it into NASTY, DEGRADING, GARBAGE????? And then have the nerve to say (on BET) that God put you in a position to do what you're doing. Nah, son. SATAN put you in that position. Why in the world would God put someone in a position to promote the opposite of His word?? These artists kill me with that.

Anywho... the point of the matter is- Ashanti, your audience ranges from children to adults. You need to be more mindful of the things that you put out. No, you can't control who buys your albums. But you can control the impact that you have. Realize how much influence you actually have and OWN IT. Do something with it. Make a song about empowering young females. Show them that they don't NEED a man. And they definitely don't need sex to keep one. Show them that they are special and that they shouldn't cast their pearls to swine. Teach them to move on when they've been hurt. Not to kill the dude.

Sigh... I digress.