Who says our youth are eff'ed the eff' up? Yeah, I know our black boys can't read anything more complicated than Hot Pockets heating instructions and PS3 game cheats, but that doesn't mean hope for our next generation is totally lost.
AverageSisterInLaw sent me this one via email attachment last week. Since I'm a proud member of the Krimson and Kreme, I watched this thing with equal parts amazement and disgust. If you watch this clip, it's clear this young man is incredibly talented. He's probably no older than 5, yet he can pull off a complex kane twirling routine that most Neos can't master. Peep the ingenious "look in the mirror" move midway through, and again near the end. The boy has skillz.
On the other hand, the more I watched this, the sadder it got. Practicing this sort of routine takes hours to perfect, which means Lil' Nupe is probably not exactly knocking out the homework. And there's no way in hell this is a preschooler. With this level of coordination, this kid prolly has some wicked Gary Coleman/Webster thyroid disease. And then there's the whole matter of the "Wipe Me Down" soundtrack. At least the responsible party who taped this had the sense to play a radio edit.
Who said good parenting was going out of style?
Then again, as bad a taste as that one left in my mouth [||], it's still far better than this poor fella.
Who's better? Lil' Nupe wins on the basis of sheer talent, since I'm in my mid 30's and I still can't twirl that well. But Lil' Twon' is no slouch himself. That chair kicking routine towards the end of the video made me cry inside. And not for the right reasons.
I can't pick a winner, but if you wanna try for yourself, hit both Play buttons at the same time and let these kids battle it out.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Talent or Traagedy? You Decide.
Tags Popped: Negro Nonsense, Raise Your Own Damn Kids, Web Junk
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My stomach does flips every time I see this child perform his rendition of "Irreplaceable". I can't remove from my mind the image of him working the corner of 3rd and K Streets, NW in just a few short years. But even if this was a girl performing, I'd still be repulsed. The "dropping" and splitting is OUT OF CONTROL.
C'mon deedee, cut the kids a break. How do we know these two young men aren't straight A students?
Folks never cease to amaze with their level of hatred. If AverageBro is so "for the kids" I sure hope he is doing something more than just criticizing them.
I never see anyone say anything about little white kids that perform. Granted, our presence in the entertinment industry is heavy. But to each its own. Sad to say that most of these kids have not much else going for them. Or better yet, not much offered for them.
Don't trip, you all remember imitating James Brown for your parents parties. The one on the bottom was a little disturbing, and that's the reason we have to support our local boys and girls club. Little man need a male role model.
Juiceman- I could CARE LESS if Little Mr. Irreplaceable is getting straight A's. What difference does that make? a CHILD should not know how to dance like a stripper. I repeat, the "dropping" and splitting are OUT OF CONTROL.
oh yeah, these are future nation builders (sigh)
little one at the bottom definitely has a future in being the next rupaul.
Wow!!!when did it become a crime for children to display artistic expression? But I forgot, this guy's blog is called AverageBro, I can tell from his negative comments he just that.... AVERAGE!!!
Dear Mr. Averagebrother or whatever your name is, I am the proud father of that talented 5 year-old cane twirler you have placed in this talent or tragedy competition. I think I will start by giving you my background first, I have a degree in business, I am also a proud member of the Krimson and Kreme you mentioned you were affiliated with. My son is in 5-K, that is kindergarten to the averagebrother, he is highly intelligent, attends church on a regular basis, speaks spanish, plays percussion, and in his (spare time) he plays with my old Kappa cane. He doesn't practice for hours as you stated in your highly critical blog, nor does he have a Gary Coleman thyroid condition you sarcastically mentioned. He is naturally gifted and doesn't have the time nor the desire to twirl a cane for hours. Hey, opinions are like butt holes, everybody has one. I think you should target negligent parents not the ones who are actually spending time with their kids.
Your Frat Brother,
Spring 98
To Anonymous and the rest of the "let them express themselves" camp. I have no problem with the way Baby Nupe is "expressing" himself but there is a major problem with little Mr. Irreplaceable. Ya'll are quick to call someone a hater but have YET to explain why you believe it's ok for a CHILD to dance that way.
This one's for you, Joe. Had AvBro known about this one, I'm certain he would have added it to the hitlist:
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=7786849
Each One Teach One:
I'm sure the other readers are as happy as I am happy to hear that your son is excelling. Thanks for letting us know that. And he is truly talented. But when you chose to share his talent with the world by posting the video on You Tube (of ALL places), you opened yourself, and your son up for public comment. The price of trying to attain fame is having to deal with the inevitable criticism that comes along with it.
I think its great we have an open dialouge about kids and their talents, but I think it becomes ignorant when we start assuming their talent comes from some hood like mentality. It's the same way white folks assume all of us are uneducated and hate each other. I don't know how it got posted on youtube, but now its there that's fine.
eachone, come on bruh, you can't be serious.
I'm a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, and from years of stepshows, let me tell you there's NO WAY that kid learned that routine on his own. talented as the kid is, he obviously spent hours either watching tapes or watching you. this isn't just some random kid goofing off, this is a full blown routine. Keep it real with yourself, bruh.
i also find it hard to beleive that you have NO idea how this whole video just happened to end up on Youtube. some of the comments over there are far more harsh and critical than the ones AB puts up here. Yeah, the Gary Coleman thing was a low blow, but it's called "humor". if you peep this site with any sort of regularity, you know AB always tries to use laughs to make his points easier to swallow.
likewise, i would love to hear your defense of letting a 5 year old listen to Wipe Me Down enough to know all the words.
i am glad you are involved in your son's life, and i respect your opinion. but this was just humor. if you can't take the criticism, don't post videos of your kid on the internet.
Interesting comments everyone...
When I first saw the young man, I def. did not get the sense he was a Prodigal Child. I thought to myself how disciplined this child must be to even learn how to twirl...I find it hard to get kids to learn their ABC's now adays.
IF he is as talented and dedicated in other aspects of life, then that is great. IF he is NOT talented and dedicated in other aspects...we have an issue as a society and the child’s FATHER has an issue.
I would think it easy for the child’s father to defend him as he should. I would hope 100% of parents would take that step. HOWEVER, I would also think there are some parents who would not put their kid on YOUTUBE twirlin' a cane trying to look "sexy" to what is considered "hip-hop."
Understood, today is an age of mindless TV and Video's...but I'm sure you'd agree there are some parents who would not want their children part of that. I also think you would agree that if there was an absolute wrong or an absolute right...this would probably lean more towards the wrong. I personally would NOT have my child on YOUTUBE...however, I would also say it doesn't mean you’re the worst or best parent. IT IS WHAT IT IS...and people are going to AGREE or DISAGREE...as well...to some people, the points the father made are valid and to others they are not valid.
To end...you put your child on YOUTUBE. You thought it was cute and amazing, some people thought it was irresponsible and negligent.
Oh...and "mirror" joint, I'm def. feelin' that, I alwayz loved lookin' PRETTY!!! I didn't care about that at age 5, but man Baby Nupe gets a YO YOOOOOO!!!
Good Luck and I hope your child continues his positive path...just post the positive things like "Report Cards" on the fridge instead of YOUTUBE!
You guys can debate over this nonsense all you want, that little boy was spinning the hell out of the cane. Now the other kid, I don't critque kids, but I can't get with the stripper stuff.
Defend this nonsense all you want, my biggest problem is the choice of music. No 5 year old should know the words to "Wipe Me Down" verbatim. That is some ghetto ****, despite how well educated the parents are.
The kid IS very talented though. Very.
yeah, eachoneteachone, exactly HOW did this end up on Youtube? did somebody break in your house and post it?
Ok...I'm the poster who put, "Just post the positive things like REPORT CARDS on the fridge instead of YOUTUBE"
I didn't even address the song because honestly, I stopped listening to "rap" when it stopped becoming "hip-hop."
HOWEVER...TO EACHONETEACHONE...there are people who could make a STRONG case, that your child knowing those words to that song verbatim...well...whew, man...I can't even come close to defending you on that one. Well, they would also say that if you had the gumption to put your child on YOUTUBE, then why protect your child from words...remember "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." Perhaps he doesn't even know what those words mean, so what is the harm in him repeating them? THERE...I FOUND A WAY TO DEFEND IT!
Ok...this comment is not in regards to Baby Nupe...lol...but IF the kid was spending more time twirlin' instead of reading books, this would be so appropo!
In the immortal words of Chris Rock..."Whats 4+4?" "Jello!"
In regards to the 2nd video...
WOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW
Eachone: First, let me say this, you have a VERY skilled and talented child who if channeled in the right direction (which it sounds like you're doing) has a bright future ahead of him, but seriously dude, who are you kidding? Anyone who is a parent knows that raising kids is all about influence and guidance. That boy has spent obviously more time than you'd like to admit either watching music videos or videos/performances of step shows. That was not some arbitrary "let's get the camera" moment because he was fooling around with a cane. Gimme a break. And if he's so involved in the church, why couldn't he have danced to a positive, inspirational, gospel song; there are plenty of them out there to dance and have a good time to (check out Da Truth) without contaminating the poor young boy with mindless filth like "Wipe Me Down". And as far as AverageBro goes, that man is entitled to his own opinion, and if you would read anything else he has to say, I think he has the experience and merits to be a little judgemental of the present state of our male black youth. He coaches, tutors, mentors, all the while raising his own son in this warped society that will judge, criticize and condemn your boy way more harshly than he ever can. As we have seen on too many occasions, no matter the talent, money, fame, looks, what have you, there's pitfalls and prejudices just waiting for him to fall into and take him down. Let's redefine influence over our children, regardless of how cute we think it may be.
P.S. Lil Man WAS gettin it though!!!!!!
Bloggers can have a change of heart, too. http://www.averagebro.com/2007/10/superman-that-ho-do-you-know-whats-in.html
Each One, holler at me via email if you want me to take this video down.
AverageBro...didn't know you were in the Noble Klan...salute...
As long as the Brother Each One Teach One is raising up his child right like he said he is, then that's all that really matters. I can empathize with both viewpoints; My major gripe is when I see kids who know all the words to these songs but can barely say their ABCs and have no manners/sense.
AverageBro may have been a bit harsh, but it wasn't like he was trying to tear the kid down or rip the parents completely. I think everything has been said with good intentions at heart.
Lil' Nupe was doin' the darn thing...I can't kut for that second video though.....
AverageBro,
i'm also a member of the FunkyNupeTroop! *smile* i posted the first video on plezWorld last week. that young man is quite talented AND he's probably seen more step show footage than Barney videos!
i've also seen the second video, but was too disgusted by the Beyonce-as-a-stripper-imitation by that little boy to even consider it... i know as a community we're not that big on therapy, but the boy in the second video is going to need some... REAL SOON!
plez,
Funny you should mention it, I actually just saw your post on this a while ago.
Would you (or any other parent reading this for that matter) put your child on YouTube? I just can't believe the bruh who shot this thought putting it out there for the whole world to see was a good idea.
Especially not with a skrippaz anthem like "Wipe Me Down" playing in the background. C'mon, Nupe.
i remember seeing the post of the little boy dancing to beyonce and had a feeling i'd see a slew of homophobic comments getting thrown his way. it's pretty sad that people suggest that a little boy imitating a music video needs therapy...and it's pretty obvious what is being said there...
not only are people making the assumption that his imitation is a mark of unmanliness, a hint at a future of homosexuality, or as one person so hatefully alluded, prostitution, but also the assumption that if one does not adhere to socially constructed gender norms boys and girls have shoved down their throats from the first seconds out of the birth canal that there is something wrong with them...
i thought we were beyond that yall, seriously
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