1_250_SmartShorties.jpgMusic is one of the most influential forms of communication for the youngins, Hip Hop in particular. In an effort to seize on the music’s popularity and an increasing crop off ADD-riddled kids, edutainers Spark the Mind have created “Smart Shorties.” It’s a CD and workbook that uses the hit vocal melodies/instrumentals from artists such as Akon, Chris Brown, T-Pain, and Soulja Boy among others to create new math songs altogether. The product is being marketed directly to educators. But how appropriate is it to use mostly R-rated songs to teach kids math? Sure the lyrics are all different, but still. There’s even a bonus track inspired by Chamillionaire’s “Ridin’ Dirty,” called “Riding the 50 States.” If this already sounds like a bad idea in the making, we haven’t even gotten to the workbooks yet:

“Unlike the typical workbook, Smart Shorties is printed in full color and uses symbols such as blinged out headphones, musical notes, sports cars and other highly identifiable emblems of hip hop culture, which have proven to hold kids attention.”

Below is the full track listing and the songs they bit:
1. 1s Always The Same (inspired by Akon’s “I Wanna Love You”)
2. Me and 2s (inspired by Cassie’s “Me and U”)
3. Crank Them 3s (inspired by Soulja Boy’s “Crank That”)
4. Throw Some 4s On It (inspired by Rich Boy’s “Throw Some D’s”)
5. 5s This Is Why I’m Smart (inspired by Mims’ “This Is Why I’m Hot”)
6. 6s Math Facts Teacher (inspired by T-Pain’s “Bartender”)
7. 7s Ballin’ (inspired by Jim Jones’ “We Fly High”)
8. 8s I Know You Know It (inspired by Yung Joc’s “I Know You See It”)
9. The 9s Trick (inspired by Jibbs “Chain Hang Low”)
10. 10s Work It Out (inspired by DJ Unk’s “Walk It Out”)
11. 11s Double Double (inspired by Chris Brown’s “Kiss Kiss”)
12. 12s Tell Me What You Know (inspired by E-40’s “Tell Me When To Go”)
13. 0s Clear It Out (inspired by Webstar’s “Chicken Noodle Soup”)