eZine 10.07.2008

As my daughter was making a break across the field with the soccer ball, a ringtone went off from the soccer mom’s chair next to me. It’s T.I.’s new #1 song, “Whatever you Like.” I guess it’s not surprising to hear it as a ringtone. It is the #1 downloaded ringtone on iTunes right now, as well as the #1 song from his #1 album. An hour later at Wal Mart I hear Rihanna being played in the store speakers, at least until I got to the audio video section, where a Britney Spears video was playing on the big plasma screens mounted throughout the section. One more stop?the grocery store. Christina Aguilera’s song “Keeps Getting’ Better” is playing, a song currently at the #2 spot on iTunes.

Who are these artists whose tunes are being heard ubiquitously throughout our grocery stores and soccer fields… yes, even heard by our homeschooled kids!

MTV keeps a list they boast as the MOST POPULAR ARTISTS, the hottest of the hot. If you check iTunes, Billboard… and your kids’ iPods, you’ll find that MTV’s list is right on the money. These are the artists that are capturing our kids’ attention.

Curious to know a little more about them? Here’s some history… along with my two cents:

1. Lil Wayne was born Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. on September 27, 1982 in New Orleans, LA. Although adults may know him as “that scary looking guy with no shirt and his entire butt hanging out of his pants,” in some circles he is known for being an charismatic southern rapper. Lil Wayne became famous at a young age. He joined the Cash Money Records group as a teenager. Get It How U Live! by Hot Boys (1997) marked Lil Wayne’s album debut (at age 18).

   Now, a decade later, Lil Wayne is not only MTV’s #1 MOST POPULAR ARTIST, he’s featured all over the charts. Currently, he’s got songs at #8, #12, #22, #24, #25, and #30 of Billboard’s Hot 100. And that doesn’t even include #47, Lollipop, a song still hanging on after 28 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1 for over a month.

   Here’s a glimpse of the lyrics of his hit song, Lollipop:

   Man, she ain’t never had a love like mine
   And man I ain’t never seen an ass like hers
   And that pu**y in my mouth had me loss for words
   Told her back it up like erp erp
   And I made that ass jump like jerk, jerk
   And that’s when she lick me like a lollipop (oh yeah I like that)

   This young role model has been in and out of jail on various charges, the most recent being in January 2008 when the DEA searched his vehicle, turning up 105 grams of marijuana, 29 grams of cocaine and 41 grams of ecstasy and $22,000 belonging to the rapper. At least it wasn’t anything major!

   And to think… he is one of the number one role models right now.

2. T.I. grasps MTV’s number 2 spot as MOST POPULAR ARTIST, and many of you would agree, his music does sound like “number two.” T.I. was born Clifford Harris in Atlanta, GA on September 25, 1980. He was once called “the Jay-Z of the South” by Pharrell Williams. He established himself as one of rap’s “greats” as an MC during the early 2000s. He was in the cast of American Gangster a movie directed by Ridley Scott, and was given BET’s award for best male hip-hop artist in ’06 and ’07. He currently has several Billboard Hot 100 hits with #1 “Whatever You Like”, and he has #22 with “Swagga Like Us”, and “T.I. Vs T.I.P.” at #57 (which has been on the charts for 65 weeks and peaked at #1)

   T.I. performed his current #1 hit “Whatever You Like” at the recent MTV Video Music Awards, draping diamonds and furs across his lady as he sang the TV version of his lyrics, “I said you could have whatever you like (you like). Yeah. Late night sex so wet it’s so tight.” That song not only hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it also is on iTunes as the #1 song, ringtone, and album (but the video holds a measly spot at #4).

3. Britney Spears, MTV’s number 3 MOST POPULAR ARTIST, was born December 2, 1981 in the small town of Kentwood, LA. At age 11 she joined the cast of The New Mickey Mouse Club (although the show was cancelled after only its second season). She is known for being the driving force behind the return of teen pop in the late ?90s. (And the demise of jeans that actually covered a girl’s waist!)

   Brittany’s first hit was “Baby One More Time” which released in late 1998. It entered the charts at #1 and stayed there for six weeks. Her first three albums all topped the charts. Brittany wasn’t just a star she was a “pop phenomenon.”

   Like Madonna, Brittany has always used the power of sex appeal. In other words, Brittany isn’t afraid to “ho” it up. If you’ve seen any of her music videos, no explanation is needed.

   Brittany swept the awards at the recent MTV Video Music Awards with her racy video “Piece of Me,” which, oddly enough, reveals several pieces of her. Her album “Blackout” currently resides in The Billboard 200 at #176 and her single “Piece of Me” at #64 in the Hot Digital Songs chart. Piece of Me also claims the #43 spot on iTunes music videos.

   Brittany has always been a controversial figure because of her position as a role model for young girls. But Brittany chimed in on that years ago.

   “These parents, they think I’m a role model for their kids, that their kids look at me as some sort of idol. But it’s the parents’ job to make sure their kids don’t turn out that shallow. That’s not my responsibility. I’m not responsible for your kid.”
   (Britney Spears, Entertainment Weekly, November 21, 2003)

   I think the big question now is… who is responsible for her kids?

   CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE

Jonathan McKee, president of The Source for Youth Ministry, is the author of numerous youth ministry books including the brand new 10-Minute Talks, and the award winning books Do They Run When They See You Coming? and Getting Students to Show Up. He speaks and trains at camps, conferences, and events across North America., and provides free resources for youth workers internationally on his website, TheSource4YM.com.

I picked up the 10-Minute Talks several weeks ago and finally had a chance to use it over the weekend. The stories are so captivating that I kept my audience focused the entire time. This book is a must have for youth ministries. I also like the supplemental CD, it has the outline which you can print so I didn’t need to mark up my book. Great job.
-Jason Chan, One Family Church, Alameda, CA

I really like this book. I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I work another job full time so it’s nice to have some quick and easy talks that don’t take hours to write.
-Brad Walston, West Palm Beach, FL

I really have come to enjoy this book because it hits the issues that my students are facing head on, and it gives scripture to explore for them. It also comes with a complete small group curriculum for each lesson! That helps me out in itself to prepare my adult staff and equip them with questions to ask and even what to say during their small group time. I highly recommend this book to youth workers who are ministering to the church’d teenager and the un-churched! Thanks Jonathan for your hard work and wisdom on this book!
-Scott Dozer
Student Pastor, ThornCreek Church, Thornton, CO

I work with grades 5-12. I recently hosted a night of fun and fellowship with our preteen group. I had 76 5th and 6th graders attend for our Dead Fish Olympics (an idea from your site, it was a HIT!!). I closed the evening with one of Jonathan’s 10 minute talks. I spoke about putting your faith into action so that it is not dead…like the fish. The story made me cry as I was preparing for the night and had a huge impact on the students. They were attentive, which we all know is hard for 6th grade boys. They asked questions when I finished….one boy shared a story of his own! I am very impressed with the book. I was nervous when I first got it because I thought it was something that I would never use and it was just another resource to fill up my shelves. I was so wrong. Once I dug into it a little bit and understood how to use it, I loved it!
-Charlie Conder, Grayson United Methodist, Grayson, GA

Recently I have been a bit distressed because I have been having a difficult time finding quality, relevant material to use in my Youth Ministry. Stuff is either too dorky or too deep and spiritual for my new Christian kids to understand. The 10-minute talks that Jonathan provides are not only relevant, but they catch the attention of my students. The questions are a good mix of entry level and deep. Having this book makes my job a lot easier.
-Neal Thorne, Canby Christian Church, Canby, OR

I’ve used two of your stories so far (New Beginning & American Dream) as a foundation of a youth group message. Both times the kids and volunteer staff were captivated (definitely a rarity in junior high ministry), and both times parents spoke to me during the week about my message-which means the kids went home and talked about it (another rarity). I’ve been doing youth work for 27 years. This works! 10 Minute Talks is a valuable resource. Thanks again for providing ideas and materials that make my ministry flow!
-Becky Reilly, Lakehills Covenant Church, El Dorado Hills, CA

And we’ve had several people who have been actually just reading the talks outloud…

10-Minute Talks is awesome!!!! I used it for the 1st time tonight to teach middle schoolers and high schoolers. As I was reading the story all eyes were on me……the students were all into the story/talk, I couldn’t believe it…… they actually were listening and you could see that they were really thinking “who was in their back seat”. I am so excited about this book and what the teens will get from it. I can’t wait until next week!
-Michele Holloman, St. Mary’s Grove OFWB Church, Benson, NC

If you are attending the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention, be sure to find Jonathan and say hi! Here’s where you can find him:

• Thursday night Jonathan and Brandon (you probably remember him from the “Road Trip” podcast to YS last year) will be wandering the isles of the YS Exhibit Hall, checking out all the ministry booths and chatting with youth workers from around the country. Jonathan or Brandon will have on a backpack full of copies of his hit book, The Top 12 Resources Youth Workers Want. If you say hi to them and mention this EZINE, they will give you a copy of that book! Not bad, huh?
• Sunday, Jonathan is leading a discussion on outreach, and then teaching two workshops. Make sure you attend these two brand new trainings:

We hope to see you there!

WHEN: This weekend, October 9-13th

WHERE: Sacramento, CA at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

DETAIILS: Jonathan will be doing two seminars at this year?s convention, one on speaking to a generation with a short attention span, based on his new book, 10-Minute Talks, and then he will be teaching a 90 minute version of his Connect workshop.

WHEN: October 18th, 9:00 a.m. ? 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Crossroads Church, Thornton, CO

DETAIILS: The Denver Youth Leaders Network is bringing Jonathan out to do his Connect workshop. This Saturday workshop equips youth workers, both paid and volunteer, to initiate contact with today?s teenagers. This training provides unique insight how to connect with kids one-on-one, equipping youth leaders with resources and ideas to help them reach the different kids they will encounter in this rapidly changing culture. Cost is only $15 a person.

WHEN: October 31-November 3rd

WHERE: Pittsburgh, PA at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

DETAIILS: Jonathan will be doing two seminars at this year?s convention, one on speaking to a generation with a short attention span, based on his new book, 10-Minute Talks, and then he will be teaching a 90 minute version of his Connect workshop.