Kid 'n Play were a hip-hop and comedy duo from
New York City that were most popular in the late 1980s and
early 1990s. The duo is comprised of Christopher "Kid" Reid (born April 5 1964 in The Bronx, New York City) and Christopher "Play" Martin (born July 10
1962 in Queens, New York City). Besides their successful musical
careers, Kid 'n Play are also notable for branching out into acting.
History
Music career
Kid 'n Play recorded three albums together between 1988 and 1993: 2 Hype (1988),
Kid 'N Play's Funhouse (1990), and Face the
Nation (1991). Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor, the producer for Salt-n-Pepa who had been a member of the hip-hop group "The Super-Lovers" with Play, served as Kid 'n Play's
manager and producer during the early portion of their career. All three albums focused upon positive lyrics backed by
pop-friendly instrumental tracks. Among the group's most successful singles were 1989's "Rollin' with Kid 'n Play" (#11 on the
Billboard R&B singles chart), 1990s "Funhouse" (#1 on the
Billboard rap singles chart), and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody" (another #1 rap hit).
The group's stage show highlighted their teen-friendly personalities, and dances such as their trademark, the Kick Step.
Kid's visual trademark was his hi-top fade haircut, which stood six inches high at its
peak. Play regularly wore eight-ball jackets. It is rumoured that New York Yankees shortstop, Derek Jeter was inspired by Kid and
still wears a spinoff of his trademark hair-style to this day...[citation needed]
During the height of their popularity in early 1991, the duo had a short-lived "beef" with Vanilla Ice. The lyrics "You better hit bulls-eye/the Kid don't Play" from his hit "Ice Ice Baby" was a
direct shot at the duo. The group addressed the "dis", on the track "Next Question", from "Face the Nation." The song was also
used to respond to comments made by Luther Campbell and criticisms they received after
comments from an interview were taken out of context.
Kid 'n Play were also notable for their dance known as "The Funky Charleston", influenced by the Roaring Twenties popular
dance move, first seen in their video "Gittin Funky" [1]. The "Funky Charleston" featured the "New Jack Swing" [2]-aerobic dance moves typical of
late 1980's urban street dancing (see also "Groove Me" [3] by Guy). Unlike the original Charleston, "The Funky Charleston" requires two
participants instead of one. This dance also was made quite popular in the movie "House Party", in which Kid and Play have an
impromptu dance competition with Tischa Campbell and A.J. Johnson[4] in one of the most memorable moments of this movie.
Acting careers
In addition to their music, Kid 'N Play starred together in four successful motion pictures, all
of them based around hip-hop characters and themes. The duo also appeared on the
soundtrack albums to these films. Three of the Kid 'n Play films were entries in the popular House Party series. The first two House Party films (1990's House Party and 1991's
House Party 2 also featured the then-relatively unknown Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell, later stars of the TV
sitcom Martin). House Party 3
featured hip-hop/R&B girl group TLC as the
music group "Sex as a Weapon".
Class Act, produced in 1992, was a comedy in the same vein as the House Party
films. For that film, Kid cut his trademark high-top fade (the haircut is used as a plot device in the film).
Kid 'n Play even had their own NBC Saturday morning
cartoon, Kid 'n Play, for one season from 1990 to 1991.
On the show, Kid 'n Play were regressed to teens, but their recording careers remained intact, as did their comic personas. The
real Kid 'n Play appeared in live-action wraparounds of the cartoons, but voice actors (again including close friend Martin
Lawrence) took over for the animated versions of the duo. The show stressed positive role models, teaching kids how to get along
and stay out of trouble. A 1992 Marvel Comics comic book based on the cartoon lasted nine
issues. They also shot some segments for the PBS math show
Square One TV.
It has been stated on Kid's MySpace that there will be new film from the duo around late
2007.
After the duo
Kid and Play amicably split during the mid-1990s. Kid continued acting, guest starring in a number of television sitcoms, most notably Sister, Sister,
and hosting shows such as It's Showtime at the Apollo and Your Big
Break. Play became a born-again Christian, and devoted his time to working
on Christian-based hip-hop music projects. Play eventually took his industry experience and
founded HP4Digital Works, a multimedia company that provides pre and post production for film, digital and live theater
productions.[1] He is also founded Brand Newz, an online syndicated magazine focusing on
positive community leaders and events.
Discography
- 1988: 2 Hype
- 1990: Kid 'N Play's Funhouse
- 1991: Face the Nation
Filmography
References
External links
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