Soul Fresh HHI Workshop ft. David Lee, Bam Martin, Ricky Cole

[jayyblushess]

my lil bro is so clean

[liljuanito101]

Young Jerz - Twenties Fifties Hundreds

[iPancakesXD]

Whats the song at 2:22

[dawnjuan234]

In my defense as a parent that allowed my son to take David's class. When you have a dancer that dances at the level my son does, you cannot always curtail learning because the music is vulgar or is degrading. 90 percent of music in this day and age is suggestive. Even at my son's former studio, where they are concerned about perception and what children are dancing to, have used suggestive music with 8 & under children. Again, I appreciate concerns about what my child is dancing to.

[soheee4000]

@dawnjuan234 has it right, and to the people saying this is a form of child abuse, there's no need to be dramatic. David definitely does not have to "apologize" or "say sorry" for what he taught.

[donchathinkso]

@dawnjuan234 Thanks for chiming in! I, in no way, want to tell you how to parent. I'm glad to hear you are proud of your son and support his talent. Watch the video again, though, and tell me if you don't think having a 9 yr. old (+/-) girl, along with other young ones, dance to these truly vulgar and descriptive (not merely suggestive) lyrics is right or wrong. It should embarrass the heck out of you, I would think. My intention is not to attack any individual, but just to increase awareness.

[dawnjuan234]

@donchathinkso Again, I am in no way embarrassed. Thank you again for your concerns on this matter.

[dawnjuan234]

Taking this class was not just only for some "dope" new moves. It was being able to pick up choreography taught at an adult level. My son and some of his friends need to be challenged with choreography at the speed it is taught. I know David would not choose this song to be instructed to a typical class setting of children. I will allow my son to continue taking adult level classes and sometimes that includes music that contains lyrics that may offend some people.

[dawnjuan234]

In response to the concern of the "explicit" lyrics and vulgarity of the lyrcis plus the age of the children at this workshop, I understand that there are some "old school peeps" that are upset. I am not saying that the song was the best choice for an all ages workshop, but I do not think that this was intended to harm any child that was in attendance. I know as a parent, I am not downloading the music so my son can place it on his ipod.

[donchathinkso]

Let me see if I've got it right, now: As long as it's in the name of artistic expression, it is okay to ignore the "explicit" label (or any other warning label) that comes with a piece of music. Kids and their parents should be happy to be exposed to sexually explicit and degrading lyrics, so long as they get some dope new moves in the process. Even though it's illegal to sell this music to a minor in a music store, it's okay to play it for them in dance class. Did I leave anything out, here?

[donchathinkso]

Honestly, peeps -- I'm not looking to harm anyone's career, reputation, etc. But, at this point I'm getting pretty disgusted with the responses here from folks who think you're defending David (which I can understand), but you're REALLY defending playing SUPER EXPLICIT lyrics for young dancers. This is a form of child abuse, and you need to get that! The fact that you don't get it scares me. If you really think this is okay, then what are you really all about? Not dance, clearly. This is sad.

[soheee4000]

It may be hard to understand to some, but when a song stands out to a choreographer it is difficult to ignore that instinct. Some of the best choreographers in the world teach to songs like this and whether the lyrics are directly or indirectly "bad" is not the point. David wanted to provide the most challenging choreography he could and the kids were interested in learning it. I've seen liljuanito101 in class enough times to safely say he wont run around screaming these lyrics.

[donchathinkso]

@soheee4000 I understand you perfectly well. I am a successful performing artist myself. It's not wrong to be led by artistic inspiration. It IS wrong to ignore your moral obligation to children in the process. To say this is the only song David could have choreographed to is an insult to his creativity. Just another cop-out. Why are there so many excuses being offered here, rather than a simple "sorry kids/parents, we'll pick more appropriate music next time we know you'll be in our studio." ?

[dawnjuan234]

@soheee4000 Thank you for defending my kiddo.

[donchathinkso]

@liljuanito101 I did create an account yesterday, because I did not have one and felt very strongly that I needed to comment on this issue. I only created one account. "Quinn11E" is not me.  You should not be so surprised by the fact that people are upset about this. Dance is no excuse to expose young people to inappropriate lyrics such as these. It demoralizes men and degrades women. If you are a child, than you need someone to open your eyes to this.

[donchathinkso]

Furthermore, since you are a child, you should understand that I am not attacking anyone here. David is young too, and if he goes on thinking it is right to play this stuff for little kids, then I have not done my job as a conscientious viewer. He has thanked me for my comments (like a gentleman), and will hopefully take them to heart. I am not flaming anyone, and neither should you. This is a civilized conversation about correcting what I see as a travesty. Where are the parents on this?

[donchathinkso]

BTW, I see (so far) 6 "dislikes" for this video, not just one or two. It's not just me who is upset. You can't make accusations without knowing what you are talking about, it ruins your own credibility in an instant.

[liljuanito101]

@Quinn11E My mom was there. I am one of the kids. Honestly I don't hear words, I hear beats. I know David warned us and the parents before class. But I would have never known what the lyrics were  until people started commenting about them here. Now I paid attention because I wondered what the big deal was. Yes the lyrics are bad, but I am not dancing to the lyrics. David is a great choreographer, dancer and teacher and he was very specific not to repeat the words in the song.

[soheee4000]

To all the people talking about david's choice of music, I was there in that class too. I'm not one of the kids but he was very clear about the music before he played it, parents were in the room when he talked about it, and he told the kids a few times to not repeat lyrics and just listen to the music. That's also how he taught it. None of the parents seemed concerned during class.

[donchathinkso]

@soheee4000 The point I am trying to make is, why use music of this caliber when there are plenty of great Hip Hop tunes/beats out there that don't talk explicitly about girls mounting broom sticks and "dickies" and oral sex? Making the choice to use that music with a 16-and-under crowd DOES say something about your own personal standards as a dance educator. David is only 20, right? He needs to learn now that dance, as an art, does not excuse him from responsibility to kids/parents/audiences.

[donchathinkso]

Maybe I'm just too "old school," but: do you really think it's okay to play lyrics like this for young dancers? Your "16 and under" crew should be in a different room, learning choreo to music that makes sense for their age group. Were their parents in the room? Did they sign a waiver? If not, then why do you think music like that comes stamped "explicit" or "parental guidance suggested?" You must be looking for a lawsuit, to be playing so dumb to this issue. You're smarter than that, right?

[lpdavidlee]

@donchathinkso - In my defense, I did tell the class prior to teaching them that there was explicit language. There were even parents in the room that hear me say the same thing. And I know that others have their own opinions about what should be played and not played in front of these kids, but to me, music is there to just dance to. My choreography is not translating the lyrics being said,I'm just moving to the beat and the musicallity of the song. Thank you for your opinion.

[donchathinkso]

@lpdavidlee I don't want to sound like a hater at all -- I love what you do, as an art form. I'm an artist too. I support freedom of speech and expression and all that. I just don't want you to back yourself into a corner with some parent who (rightfully) says: I didn't sign my kid up for sex ed, I thought this was a dance class! It just wreaks of unprofessional-ism, and I'm surprised you would post this video as a representation of what you're about, or allow it to happen in the first place.

[lpdavidlee]

@donchathinkso - I do understand that there will be concerns for what song is being taught to or how the choreography is being presented. But it's just like I said, these kids are amazing, and I just wanted to showcase their talent. I appreciate your take on it though, truly, thank you for your concern and comments.

[donchathinkso]

@lpdavidlee You're right. These kids are amazing, and their talent deserves to be showcased. They're not your kids, though. I can't believe that their parents would have approved of your music choice if they would have had the chance to hear it first. I hope you realize that saying "I'm just moving to the beat and the musicallity of the song" [without regard for the lyrics] just sounds like a cop-out, and like you really don't care what these kids get exposed to while they're in your care.

[donchathinkso]

@liljuanito101 Yes, there are bad things in this world, and YOU get to CHOOSE if you are going to be part of the good or the bad. When you try mixing both, like in this situation, you can get yourself into trouble real quick. I have seen horrible things happen to children before, and I can't just sit back and not let you know that what you are dancing to is not just a cool beat -- it's more than that. These lyrics are horrible, and I'm sure were never intended (by the musical artist) for kids.

[lpdavidlee]

@donchathinkso - Not to mention, but these kids are ridiculously talented. I wanted to showcase their talent and show other people who they are and how well they execute the choreography. You are entitled to your opinion, but these kids are just here to dance.

[20Mikeybee]

@donchathinkso first of all ill tell you that they are expressing the way they move thier bodies and an ART form ill say again an ART form so if you can look at this as something to expilcit then you might as well lock every child away in their room til their "old" enough to here something that quite frankly they have heard before now in society today theres a lot more that parents should worry about then some harmless words that they are DANCING too dont be mad at the lyrics! u GOT SERVED!!!

[fataznkiid]

bam is crazy!

[tackywacky99]

shit girl in white tank killed it so hard.

[sukiefloss]

ricky!!! love it!!!

awesome workshop guys :]

[skrawnyone]

good shit david!!!