Why KIDZ BOP Should Avoid Covering This Mature Song
The debate over Kids Bop's appropriateness when covering contemporary, mature songs is heating up, with some questioning their ability to handle nuanced adult content. One critical song in question is Why Don’t We's “Come to Brazil”. This article delves into the reasons why some would argue that this particular track is unsuitable for the KIDZ BOP project, focusing on the lyrics, context, and potential impact on young audiences.
Backstory: The Late Night Discovery
On the night of June 27, 2019, around midnight, boredom struck, leading to a late-night exploration of YouTube. Scrolling through the trendy videos, a young user stumbled upon a song by Why Don’t We called “Come to Brazil”. The lyrics, steeped in mature themes and explicit content, were a far cry from KIDZ BOP's usual tracks. A closer look at the song revealed lines such as “big bubble little waistline can’t fit it all on the FaceTime” and “You’re so fine I might Come to Brazil,” which, for many, sounded inappropriate for KIDZ BOP.
The Lyrics vs. Childlike Voices
The song itself is an adult-themed performance that speaks about young men attending a party and encountering a teenage girl, with subsequent romantic and sexual undertones. For instance, the line “You’re so fine I might Come to Brazil” is laced with innuendo, making it unsuitable for younger audiences. In contrast, KIDZ BOP's vocalists, typically 3rd to 5th graders, might not convey the song's intended tone or maturity appropriately. The youthful voices could trivialize the lyrics and miss the song's depth and meaning.
The Question of Capability and Appropriateness
The central argument is whether KIDZ BOP would better release a cover version of “Come to Brazil”, which is incredibly sexual and mature, or if it would be more appropriate to stick to the more pulsing, high-energy tracks that can appeal to the core age group of their audience. For vocalists who are still in the early stages of their journeys, translating adult themes into a childlike song version could be a significant challenge. The music preferences of the young audience should also be considered, with many preferring to see mature themes handled by older vocalists or left out completely.
Conclusion: What’s at Stake?
The decision of whether to cover “Come to Brazil” or not holds broader implications for KIDZ BOP. There are risks of alienating a younger audience if the song is misappropriated, but there are also risks of missing out on a bold and daring approach, which could be appealing to those in the middle school and teenage age groups. It's a delicate balance, and the outcome could define the brand's future positioning and success.