Kid 'N' Play

Christopher "Kid" Reid & Christopher "Play" Martin. 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 3 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" (Number 11 on the Billboard R&B singles chart), 1990s "Funhouse" (Number 1 on the Billboard rap singles chart), and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody" (Number 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. 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". The "Funky Charleston" featured the "New Jack Swing" aerobic dance moves typical of late 1980's urban street dancing. 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 Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson in one of the most memorable moments of this movie.