Music: Let It Shine Soundtrack - Various Artists

Artist(s): Various Artists

Genre: Soundtrack

Label: Disney

Release Date: 06/12/2012

Edited Version Available: Yes

Parental Advisory: No

Other Choices: Lemonade Mouth Soundtrack, Stronger, "Gonna Get Over You" (CD Single)

Common Sense Says: Disney soundtrack offers inspiring rap, hip-hop, and gospel.

Common Sense Rates It:

Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this soundtrack is from the original Disney Channel movie, Let It Shine, a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac tale about the power of words and truth. With a mixture of squeaky-clean hip-hop, rap, and gospel, and positive messages about grace, love, and self-confidence, the album is great for older kids and tweens.

• Families can talk about the importance of being honest, even when it's difficult. Can you think of a time in your life or someone else's when not telling the truth made a tough situation even worse?
• Do you think TV shows, movies, and music teach or encourage kids to be honest? Name specific examples.
• Do you think it's becoming too easy for anyone to become famous in America, or do TV signing competitions like Next Big Thing give opportunity to young people with real talent who might not otherwise get a chance to shine?

What's the story?
The LET IT SHINE SOUNDTRACK features a fresh blend of hip-hop, rap, and gospel to tell the story of a modest poet/songwriter who captures the heart of a girl with his words -- the plot of the made-for-TV Disney musical Let It Shine. The winner of Disney's singing competition Next Big Thing, Coco Jones, plays Roxie, and Tyler James Williams plays the shy, but eloquent Cyrus.

Is it any good?
The Let It Shine Soundtrack features some fantastic talent (Coco Jones could be Jennifer Hudson's younger sister in looks and vocal abilities) and offers upbeat songs, catchy lyrics, and inspiring messages that anyone can appreciate. "Moment of Truth" and "Around the Block" let the cast rap, and the gospel-flavored "Good to Be Home" and "Let it Shine" give the album an inspirng vibe.