A schoolyard fantasy ends with Carter besting Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal in a game of one-on-one (“That’s How I Beat Shaq”). Innocent fun also takes the fore on “Bounce” and the nonsensical, hand-jiving tracks “Iko Iko” and “The Clapping Song.” Puppy love is in full bloom with “Girl You Shine.” After throwing a forbidden bash on “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It),” the artist regrets his irresponsible decision as punishment looms.
“Real Good Time” repeats the confession, “Maybe I curse . . . When I hear you tellin’ lies/I just wanna terrorize.” On the title track, Carter downplays studying and buys into the preadolescent caste system that values some kids over others. Also, he becomes infatuated with a girl he knows only through hours spent online (“My Internet Girl”). An interlude features an inappropriate prank phone call.
Not a deplorable disc, but it could have used some fine-tuning. Considering this 12-year-old’s target audience of preteens, he carries himself with a flip irreverence some parents will find disconcerting.
