shinyhappypeople Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My 8 yo got an mp3 player for Christmas and we're having trouble finding music that she likes AND I approve of. She likes: fun, danceable, hip-hop sounding music that doesn't sound like kids music (anything Kids Bop is a no-go with her). Me: Positive lyrics, no love songs (ok - maybe 1 or 2 lighthearted love songs might be okay... maybe), dealing with age-appropriate issues. I'm on the fence about the Disney albums. Some of the songs are fine, but I really want to avoid angsty teenage boyfriend/girlfriend stuff. I've found one winner so far - The soundtrack to JUMP IN. It's very fun, squeaky clean and the songs are of a "Follow your dreams, you can do it" theme. It's great! I'd like to find her a few more options, though. So... any ideas? I'd LOVE to find some Christian artists for her because I am a Christian. But, secular music is totally fine, too. It just needs to be clean and positive. Anyone? :bigear: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiberia Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My 8yo dd loves Hillsong Kids music. We have "Follow You" and "Supernatural." Both are good, fast-paced, fun for kids, and won't drive adults batty. They have some other cds out that we're going to try. They are Christian. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 :bigear: bumping so it doesn't disappear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mereminerals Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 My dd10 loves Francesca Battistelli, Barlow Girl and Jamie Grace. She also listens to alot of what her older brothers listen to (Switchfoot, Disciple, Kutless). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I love Justin Roberts. I'd listen to him even if I didn't have kids. His lyrics are clean and the music is fun. You can listen to a lot of song previews on amazon if you click on the album pages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Another vote for Justin Roberts--we LOVE him here (and my dd is 10). But, he's definitely not remotely hip-hop-ish. I have to run, but I'll dig out some more suggestions later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lcelmer Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 my 8 & 11 year olds like owl city... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caitilin Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We love Dan Zanes' kids CDs--Catch that Train, Family Dance, etc. they are secular, but IMO inoffensive, and should meet all your criteria. Pus they are not the kind of kids music that makes adults' brains turn to mush.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeslieAnneLevine Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) I know very little about Christian music, but my son (age 10) likes TobyMac. ETA: I wrote the first part about knowing little about Christian music to make it clear that my son discovered Toby's music on his own and likes it for its sound. Edited January 7, 2012 by LeslieAnneLevine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lailasmum Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Owl city is upbeat pop, or you could try any of the putamayo kids cds, though they may be too childish but lots of them are just fun music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdreeves Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 She might like Toby Mac, the Afters, and the Newsboys come to mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 If she likes hip hop, try Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - he's a kids hip hop artist - it sounds like "real" hip hop mostly (the soul, jazz influenced sort, not hardcore rap) but its all about playing pretend games and being yourself. My kids listen to a lt of They Might Be Giants, so that's mostly just nonsense lyrics or stuff about history. They also like a lot of disco and pop, but other than a few things, I have no objection to love songs or whatever. I also thought the Putamayo suggestion was good - in general, world music might be a good way to go. After all, if the lyrics are in Swahili or Japanese or whatever, then the song is, for you, just about the music and the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Avalon is really good pop music, Christian. And also Group 1 Crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tntgoodwin Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I have to use specific songs. There are lots of artists that would be appropriate, but not all of their material would be. My kids love: Firework - Katy Perry Just the Way you Are - Bruno Mars I believe I can Fly - R. Kelly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) I like the Jump In rec, so thanks. DD will like this. She doesn't have any hip-hop faves but here is what she loves most. For the Kids (vol 1 and 2...there is a 3rd out now but we don't have it) Jewel - The Merry Goes 'Round (also loves Jewel's lullaby album) (These are her current favorites.) She loves everything by Charlie Hope, Elizabeth Mitchell, Frances England, and Sara Hickman's albums for kids (but these might be young for your DD, as we've enjoyed them for years). Two of our favorites are Many Hands and cELLAbration (probably too young for your DD but a cheerful mix so I'll leave it for others to see :D). Also, we agree with Justin Roberts (he has two Bible albums, by the way) and They Might Be Giants. Our all-time favorite family playlist is Jazz for Kids of All Ages. These three discs are so fabulous! I can't recommend it highly enough. I do let her listen to my stuff sometimes (and I listen to hers because I like it too). She loves Adele but I have to be careful because there is some language. Edited January 7, 2012 by Alte Veste Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Great suggestions! Please keep them coming! I also have a younger DD who is more flexible with her musical tastes. So, I'm filing some of these ideas away for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We love the go fish guys here!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZeCtPlkAu4&feature=related This is one of the songs from their new VBS, which is sort of hip-hop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted January 7, 2012 Author Share Posted January 7, 2012 Two of our favorites are Many Hands and cELLAbration (probably too young for your DD but a cheerful mix so I'll leave it for others to see :D). Also, we agree with Justin Roberts (he has two Bible albums, by the way) and They Might Be Giants. I'm listending to cELLAbration on spotify at the moment and it's great :) I can't not smile. Here's hoping younger (7 yo) DD enjoys it :) Right now, the only thing on younger DD's mp3 player is Strawberry Shortcake - Rockaberry, so I'm fairly optimistic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 If she likes hip hop, try Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - he's a kids hip hop artist - it sounds like "real" hip hop mostly (the soul, jazz influenced sort, not hardcore rap) but its all about playing pretend games and being yourself. Mini rant about them... Their song Noise is on the Many Hands CD and I love it. I love the sound, the beat, and the message (which is spectacular!), but the grammar is cringe-worthy. I know music can be regarded as a form of poetry set to music and all bets are off regarding grammar and punctuation. However, especially because they produce music for children, I really believe their choice to use improper grammar ultimately hurts them, as it perpetuates negative stereotypes of hip-hop and rap artists. It's a crying shame because I would probably buy all their music if not for that. And full disclosure: Justin Roberts uses "ain't" pretty often. I cringe at that too. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 We love the Many Hands one too! We almost always start our day listening to it as background music for our school work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Mini rant about them... Their song Noise is on the Many Hands CD and I love it. I love the sound, the beat, and the message (which is spectacular!), but the grammar is cringe-worthy. I know music can be regarded as a form of poetry set to music and all bets are off regarding grammar and punctuation. However, especially because they produce music for children, I really believe their choice to use improper grammar ultimately hurts them, as it perpetuates negative stereotypes of hip-hop and rap artists. It's a crying shame because I would probably buy all their music if not for that. I see what you're saying, but it is really poetry to me - it fits exactly the conventions that someone like Kanye West is doing, but with a totally different audience and message. But grammar in music and poetry is really not a bugaboo of mine at all. We saw him perform awhile back. He was really cool and spoke to the small crowd of kids afterwards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I'm listending to cELLAbration on spotify at the moment and it's great :) I can't not smile. Here's hoping younger (7 yo) DD enjoys it :) Right now, the only thing on younger DD's mp3 player is Strawberry Shortcake - Rockaberry, so I'm fairly optimistic. Oh, just as a heads up, Did You Feed My Cow is...um...weird. :lol: So many times I have almost removed it from the playlist but apparently it hasn't scarred my kids for life so I keep forgetting. Even omitting that one, though, you still have lots of great music. My kids LOVE The Yodeling Song. That one goes on repeat often. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 I see what you're saying, but it is really poetry to me - it fits exactly the conventions that someone like Kanye West is doing, but with a totally different audience and message. But grammar in music and poetry is really not a bugaboo of mine at all. We saw him perform awhile back. He was really cool and spoke to the small crowd of kids afterwards. I wish I could get past it. I'll listen to their samples and see if I can do it. I want to expose the kids to different kinds of music and I do love their messages. Maybe we'll do a unit on poetry as music, including the artistic use of grammar, to help me get over my mental hurdle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 (edited) Oh yes! Family Time with Ziggy Marley! How did I forget that one? Love it. Edited January 7, 2012 by Alte Veste Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyGrace Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 (edited) At that age dd (now 12) started listening to these: http://www.christianbook.com/radical-raspberry-download/pd/DLF126752-CP?item_code=WW&netp_id=670241&event=ESRCG&view=details There are a couple other ones too-Totally Tangerine, and I forgot the other. She LOVES them, still does! She just got a new mp3 player and still wanted them on there. Fun, upbeat, and several of them have portions of Scripture kind of sung into them. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommended!!! ETA: just reread your post-you can take a listen and see if it sounds too kids bop for you. I don't think it is and like I said, dd is 12 and still loves it! AND I just thought of another really good one---any of the Judy Rogers CDs-there is one called Go to the Ant, and I forgot the others. EXCELLENT! They are probably a step up from the other ones I mentioned as far as age/themes (still totally innocent, and I am VERY conservative-they have things like "stand up, stand up, for what you know is right, etc-things about standing up for what is right when you see people doing things bad, etc). But dd still prefers the others, even though they are "younger" sounding! Edited January 8, 2012 by HappyGrace Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellen Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Zooglobble is a blog dedicated to indy kids music. It would be worth your time to check it out. Sorry I can't link it on my phone. I also second the recommendation for 23 Agent Skidoo. They are the best hip hop kids group and they have really positive lyrics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 My 8 year old ds likes Toby Mac and Family Force 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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