On the other hand, what is Rap music really? It is about observing the world around you and setting those observations and the feelings they create to music. I guess that is why Rap has become pretty universal. It's crossed many lines of separation, from its beginnings as a strictly inner city phenomenon to becoming the current driving force in mainstream mainstream music.
In "Suburbia Disturbia" she makes a lot of observations with a kind of wry humor and surprising wisdom. If you listen to the words in the song from the perspective of a parent, it might get a little embarrassing to realize your kids really do notice this stuff. For example, she notes that Starbucks is where "divorcees and soccer moms stand on common ground," or they "drive around in SUV's that are always full of crap".
I think that she is being deliberately hilarious with this song. Yet, like any good artist, she does make you think and maybe laugh at yourself just a little bit (or at least at your neighbor). So instead of seeing her as just another 13 year old with starstruck dreams, I ended up seeing her as a serious artist.
Okay sure, maybe her music will appeal mostly to other kids her own age and that is appropriate. Yet, I can listen to it and get something out of it, so it does kind of transcend the kiddie pop genera if you let it. I will be interested in seeing where her career goes from here once she gets signed to a label. You can check out DaHv on her Myspace page.
Article comments
1 - this song rocks
my favorite line ...
'the mortgages are disturbia, but they always find a way to have a party'
so true with today's massive mortgage mess!
2 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Good Review...
...she talks (a)bout some of the problems facing a teenager in middle class New England"
It may not be my type of stuff,but,it's good to see someone producing music that actually relates to their experience. Atleast she's not spewing on about "Ice" & "Bling" just to cash in on the present trend.
3 - Mark Saleski
wow, not only is it seriously catchy stuff, it makes a point too. we all know that kids that age think about these things, but it seems pretty rare for it to be articulated so well.
4 - Christopher Rose
Her "Pass The Shirley Temple" is a great track too, it makes my brain go zinga zing zong!
5 - Johnny Blades
At first I liked her because her music sucked so bad it was almost endearing. Then I noticed I couldn't get her songs out of my head. As Chan Marshall once said, "I could take a thousand showers and never be clean"...
6 - Suzu
Zinga zing zong = drunk.
Think about it.
7 - johnny
you people cannon be serious, this girl needs to be terminated
8 - jeff
OMG Dahv is like the best!!!!!!!
I live, breath and sweat Dahv. All the way babygirl and never forget your #1.
9 - Timmy
Pass the Shirley Temple was a cutting edge revolutionary track, I have high expectations for DaHv's social commentary on Suburbia Disturbia.
10 - john
after reading this article and then reading these comments -- some for and some against DaHv .. seems to reinforce the fact that the author is dead on:
This 14 year old 'DaHv' totally reminds me of the emergence of Eminem.
11 - D
There is no way in hell anyone on this planet who has any taste in any music could possibly like this. Eminem is horrible too, but even compairing his annoyance and hers is on a totally different level. "I ended up seeing her as a serious artist." You sir have lost all respect for a credible review.
The author of this blog clearly just wants to tap that.
12 - jaci.
"some are freaks,some are geeks,some are even super chic"
-Dahv,Mean Girls
what the hell?
just because something rhymes doesn't mean it fits with the song. i understand the whole Mean Girls concept,but come on.
13 - Tom
Eric Olsen is just throwing DaHv a softball because she is a fourteen year old girl. Her, "observations with a kind of wry humor and surprising wisdom," are the bablings of a preeteen girl who has watched too many episodes of Desperate Housewives and who doesn't like it when adults tell her to clean up.