Ever wonder what the words "bust a cap," "gat" or "mack" mean as heard in a popular song? The Entertainment Monitor magazine knows.
The magazine is not a censorship aid. Nor is it a publication run by Moral Majority that tries to ban violent, demeaning and explicit lyrics."It's just a source for parents to use to take control of what their children are listening to," associate editor David Baiz told the Deseret News during a phone call from Los Angeles. "There are some music and products out there that are wonderful for adults but not too good for children. I mean you wouldn't have your 8-year-old driving a car, right?"
Baiz called to explain the role of his new monthly magazine, which released its first issue in October and is available only by subscription.
"Not only do we encourage the parents and teachers to get involved with the younger generation's lives, but we are hopefully breaking down the cultural barriers between the ages," Baiz said. "When kids begin to talk their slang, adults usually just shut it out. I think a major fear or misunderstanding of kids - especially the inner city youth - derives from those cultural gaps."
The Entertainment Monitor gives information, unbiased and without political stance, about what the different pop culture mediums are offering their readers, listeners and watchers. The information includes album synopses, artist biographies, photos, summaries and interviews with recording and TV executives, critics, psychologists, counselors, recording stars, politicians and teachers.
"The major focus, however, is music and the Internet," explained Baiz. "We originally started off just talking about music, but then things began to roll and people began wondering about movies and TV. I think when those things sprung up, we opened a can of worms for ourselves. But, yes, music was the biggest concern of mine."
The idea originated between the managing editor Charlie Gilreath and Baiz, who were both heavily involved in the music business for the past 12 years. Gilreath was a manager, and Baiz was a public relations representative, who in the past helped rapper Dr. Dre set up his Death Row Records label.
"Charlie is soon to become a parent by proxy," said Baiz. "He is about to marry a woman who has an 11-year-old daughter. In all his years in the business, he's never thought of music except how to get it out. Now with his daughter hearing what's out there, he's realizing there's another side to the music. As a publicist, my job was essentially the same. I'd do anything to get the music out, but as a parent, I know the other side, namely parents, needs to be informed."
In the past few years there have been attempts to publicize what is said in the music youngsters are hearing. In the mid-1980s, the "Explicit Lyrics" label came onto the scene, thanks to Tipper Gore and the Parents Resource Music Center. But as time rolled on, bands and record companies found ways to hide the label. Some labels are made so small, they appear to be part of the cover art. Some companies use stickers on the outside wrapper that can be peeled away and discarded.
The music business has changed drastically in other ways throughout the years.
"Back a few years ago, there were, on the average, about six to 12 major releases from record companies in any given time," remembered Baiz. "Now there are literally hundreds of recordings released from majors and independents a month. Everything is done by volume at available rates. Both adults and children don't know what they are getting into when they purchase an album."
Sure, the radio airs the single but sometimes they are the mildest cuts on a given album. In that case, what sounds pretty innocent could actually be found between two very suggestive tunes or on a suggestive album. An example is the single "You're Not Alone" from Michael Jackson's "HIStory" double album. The song is very pleasant with no offensive themes or slang. But another cut, "Scream," contains the infamous "F" word, and another song includes a seemingly anti-Semitic statement that alienated one-time Jackson friend and supporter Steven Spielberg.
Usually, these things wouldn't have been noticed until the buyer purchased and played the album.
Still, when dealing with lyrical content, the magazine is always walking a thin line on the advocacy spectrum.
"We really walked a razor sharp edge in order for us to be unbiased," said Baiz. "We are just telling what is in the songs. We encourage our readers and artists to write in to our public opinion page. We want those editorials, and we want them on a wide range. Our publication is unbiased, dispassionate and clinical in our approach. We are not telling if the music's good or bad, just telling what it is. Obviously we've had to pull the reins in on ourselves.
"It has become politically correct to bash record companies, writers, lyricists," Baiz continued. "It's become a dangerous trend. Rather than censor, it's best to inform. The only real philosophy we have is maybe to get parents involved with their kids' lives and to interact with them."
Though the Entertainment Monitor had a full staff listening to albums and sampling the Internet (they found it easier to tap into pornography than college systems), the film and TV department needs a little work.
"We don't have a movie viewer for this magazine yet," said Baiz. "Since many movie reviewers for other magazines don't really tell why a movie is rated a certain rating, we decided to give the Motion Picture Association of America's account of why the movies are rated what they are."
And with that come more flaws, said Baiz. "We're just taking the MPAA's word for it. Some people might find more or less offensive images that weren't listed in our magazine. In the future, we are planning to have someone view movies for us."
Regardless of any flaws, the Monitor has gained popularity in the schools.
"A bulk of our subscribers have been teachers, which is heartening," said Baiz. "This is probably a sad commentary on our society, but the teachers are the ones who spend more time with the kids than the parents. Teachers find they can bridge the gap and understand what the kids are talking about."
The only real opposition to hit the Monitor is by the music industry, Baiz said.
"The bottom line of that business is to sell records," he said. "The A & R don't really care about anything but getting a record copy into the hands of the young. I know, that's what I used to do. Sure, it's free speech, but it's irresponsible free speech. We're only babes, and we will make mistakes, but hopefully we'll get it right. That's why we invite the readers to participate. We thrive on interests and concerns of the public. We've no ax to grind. We just want to inform."
- Oh, yeah. "Bust a cap" means "shoot a gun," "gat" means "gun" and "mack" means "good."
For subscription information, contact the Entertainment Monitor at 1-800-777-7016 or write Entertainment Monitor, P.O. Box 81, Hollywood, CA 90078-0081.