Play
Kid ‘N’ Play Albums:
House Party 3 Soundtrack 3 (1994) Face the Nation (1991) House Party 2 Soundtrack (1991) Kid N Play’s Funhouse (1990) House Party Soundtrack (1990) 2 Hype (1988) If you open your Hip hop History books up to the chapter on what was fresh in the late 80s-early 90s you would find a picture of Kid ‘N’ Play doing the kick step and Salt N Pepa and Heavy D lamping in the background at the Apollo. This was the era where hip hop really started exploding onto the mainstream and artists started crossing over to the dismay of many hip hop purists. Kid ‘N’ Play did their part to make hip hop more accessible with joints like “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” and “Rollin’ With Kid ‘N’ Play,” coordinated dance moves and the successful House Party movie series. They were the first hip hop cats to even have their own cartoon! As you can tell by now Play was the one without the high top fade. He was the smooth brother from Queens, NY who always left with the ladies and continuously got Kid in trouble. After many years in the limelight Play a.k.a. Christopher Martin has chosen a different path, devoting his life to god and taking a behind the scenes approach to music. He took his vast industry experience and founded HP4Digital Works, a multimedia company that provides pre and post production for film, digital and live theater productions. Check below for an interview with one of the cats who really put fun into hip hop back in the day and find out what drives him now and what projects he has in the works.
Halftime: How would you compare the music back then when you were creating it to today?
Play: Well I definitely think track wise the quality of the music is better because that’s what is supposed to happen as you move on, innovate and get better. A lot of cats that are choosing to bow out are not giving passion or commitment that they once did because they feel as though the motives and inspirations for today’s music isn’t what it used to be in regards to the love culture and the gift itself. It’s all money driven and I believe they have a point there. So as far as the music itself it’s definitely better but as far as the total package it seems to be diluted.
To me you guys were like the last bastion of hiphop where you could actually dance to it. Now everybody seems to just want to stand around and nod they head. What happened to dancing?
Play: I believe music along with everything else in this world goes through its phases. When people seemed to be enamored with the whole gangsta thing I don’t think it was because the whole world wanted to be gangsters. I think it was because it was refreshing to the ear and it was something different and that’s how music and everything runs its course. When things are redundant, repetitious or boring you’re thirsty for something new no matter what sacrifice is as far as morals. With this case right here I think if you live long enough it will come around again, but sometimes things fizzle out because everybody can’t do it. The main reason rap became as big as it has is because everybody is not a good singer. Same with dancers, the ones that wanted to do the gangster thing probably weren’t good dancers. So they’re like lets take what we know how to do and make that the thing. Sometimes it’s as simple as that.
When you first started out what got you interested in hiphop?
Play: What got me involved in it as an actual artist was girls. I wanted to get into their pants. It was my understanding that girls liked guys who did big things so I was part of doing big things. That ended up turning into something a lot more meaningful because like I said not a lot of people can sing so they can relate to people who can rap and you come closer to be able to do that. The thing I really appreciated about it is how it really touched my generation and what was going on inside of me. Not everybody did it but there were some of others more deserving of the title icon that I felt spoke. It was just so amazing how they were able to transform what was inside themselves and inside of all of us and be able to put it on paper, wax, cassette or CD.
How did you get down with your first group?
Play: I forgot the first group but the one that was most memorable was Quicksilver and the Super Lovers back in Queens in East Elmhurst. Our whole theme was this legendary god of the turntables who was able to bring up the legendary lovers of the past. My full stage name was Playboy. Everybody that got close to me just called me Play and that just caught on. We had Romeo, Prince Charming, Herbie the Luv Bug, all these different people with these legendary lovers’ names and we said if you were looking for the ultimate lover this is who you see. Then as life moved on, cats had to get jobs. Kid was part of a different group called The Turnout Brothers and a lot of his members went and got regular jobs and him and me were the only two left standing. His full stage name was The Kid Coolout and everybody close to him called him Kid for short so then you had Kid N’ Play.
I’m sure his crew had a different focus. Did you think at first like man this ain’t gonna work out your style is over here and I’m over there or did you immediately click?
Play: Nah, never because we were always family. The DJ is his group was the brother of one of the rappers in my group. We were always a close-knit bunch and had friendly competitions and all that so when that idea came up we didn’t even think that seriously about it.
This is one question I’ve wanted to ask you since like sixth grade. What sparked you to be like I’m dancing and I’m just going to jump over my leg and it’s gonna be hot?!
Play: It came from dancers we had. We always wanted to do a big show. We were very closely associated with and came up the ranks with Salt N Pepa and that’s why our shows were similar to theirs. We always had dancers behind us but unfortunately at that particular time, which worked out for the best, unlike Salt n Pepa who had more money than we had we couldn’t afford to take our dancers on the road so we had to consolidate it. Even the kick step was something the dancers did when we had them behind us. Salt N Pepa had male dancers behind them and we had female dancers behind us.
I sprained my wrist trying to do that move.
Play: I heard that went on quite a bit. Of course the secret is practice but it had a lot to do with the shoes you had on and a lot of people didn’t know that. We wouldn’t even really try it with anything else. From time to time it would be ok but it was the Nike Cortex sneakers. It was like having bedroom slippers on your feet. If anyone was trying with the Adidas or other Nikes the sole was too big and it was hard for you to really do what you had to do because of all the extra rubber on the heel at the bottom. So that was the trick.
To me when you guys came out with House Party you changed the game. We did an interview with Jazzy Jeff and he said the movie was originally for him and the Fresh Prince. How did it land in your hands?
Play: Yea it was. It was inspired by Groove B. Chill, you know the cats that kept bumping into the turntables. They and the writers all went to high school together so it was inspired by them. When they were looking for people to play the parts they wanted Kid and I to do it but New Line Cinema wanted Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff to do it because they were more known. Fresh Prince and them turned it down because New Line Cinema had a lot of nerve because at the same time they were suing them for that record “Nightmare on My Street.” That’s why they turned it down. So it didn’t work out and we did our little crazy thing playing by the rules and auditioning and it happened.
March 24th, 2006
Yeah Play. You don’t have to keep on rapping to let niggas know that your still Alive. Keep on handling that Church Business. Tell brothers how it is. Niggas need to grow up! MLK 4 Nigga.
March 29th, 2006
I just want to say i’m blessed by your presence. You are not one of those people who is trying to straddle the fence to serve God and man. Styles is right, people really need to grow up and realize that all that negative rap music is damaging our culture and our heritage. It’s gone from being creative stylings to downright menacing. The devil is all over most of that stuff. God bless you and your ministry.
April 12th, 2006
hey play i met you when i was about 8 or 9 yrs old and still have a poloroid photo taken of you show the peace sign and talking on the old school cell phone, i remeber when you and kid made hip hop fun and fun to dance to and to enjoy your self, me and my friends was doing and trying some of the moves that both you did back in the early 90’s…. i was watching all of the house party movies and think back how hip hop was in the 90’s and 2006 hip hop is no fun no more, its all about sex,money,guns,drugs,and murder, exspensive cars and jewelry. icant even listen to todays hip hop that dont have any meaning to it, just lies… now i sought out people who i list to like K.west, common,flowtr. but i still listing to my old school music from the 80’s and 90’s. and wondering when will be a reunion of kid n play to show kids of today that they can make hip hop fun and dance to it and not volient. i have seen the movie “rize” and seen tommy the clown making things fun for hip hop music for kids and adults of all ages fun to dance to and express thems selves too… someday if i have to start a new kid n play duo ill do it and get back to dancing again since age 15, im 29 now and a master automotive and diesle technician and like to show and teach those who want to learn the trade of buisness and skill… im not a relig. type person, but i do and like to show those the right way to go in life. if any questions? just email me
April 16th, 2006
First of all I would like to say, Houston is not like what happen to you on April 15, 2006. It was poor adversitment and it was time wrong. (fact: Sometime the people we are around have a bad name in the community so that when they are trying to do things other people will still hold on to that.) The next time you come to H-town and want to do something give me call you have our number. You should not have to come her to spend money. Houston is where you make money. Free hotel, free flight, and free money……
May 8th, 2006
Hi,Im the one you met in the mall! I just want to say, OH MY GOSH! I did’nt even know you, but my mom knew who you were, thx 4 the autograph, I shall cherish it 4evah. Im gonna hang it on my wall! Anyway, I’ve never met a famous person in my life! And thx 4 giving me that chance.
Love always
May 23rd, 2006
I am so glad that I found this site. House Party was my favorite movie as a teen and still is now that I am 30.
I just watched it AGAIN last night. It still cracks me up. I loved your music as well.
I admire what you are doing with your life. You are a great role model. Thank you for that.
Best Wishes Always.
May 27th, 2006
Hey I stumble on to the site by mistake and was very impressed. It’s funny to me that when people think of old school and who contributed to the growth of Hip Hop, Kid and Play name are never mentioned. Growing up knowing first hand the trail and contribution these guys made to the game, we need more web sites like this to remind and bring to the attention of other what an impact this group made.
May 28th, 2006
hi Play I hope you start to rap again because you are one of the best rappers and more sit down and wait for the birds is not good because you are a legend in belguim and kids also hope you take a tour again peace out my friend
June 18th, 2006
Thanks to you and kid.I remember back in the days when me and my friends would try those crazy moves it was hard but pratice made it a little easier .
Iam not going to say anything about todays music because the world have changed to a new era,where things are faster..
Keep up the good work and say a pray for me..
marvin..trinidad.
July 3rd, 2006
There is no scripture in the Bible that says music’s purpose is to win souls. To say that we need to use HIP-HOP (a false religion) culutre to win souls means that God’s Word does not have the power to do so. All this Holy Hip-Hop mess is telling our kids is that I can be saved for the sole purpose of not having to really change. I can keep my sagging pants, my metal mouth, etc. That I don’t have to abandon Hip-Hop to be saved. You do not get saved to seek what things of the world I can keep, but to become a new creature and to DENY oneself, not please oneself. How can you have Holy Jehovah Witnesses Ministry or Holy Mormon Ministry? Hip-Hop is a religion that opposes God on every front.
July 3rd, 2006
Even Rapper’s Delight by Sugarhill Gang was ungodly by promoting and glamorizing fornication.
September 17th, 2006
Play (Christopher) … I just watched “Coming to America” with your wife and Eddie Murphy. I “googled” you because I was wondering if you and your wife were still together. What can I say? I was just being nosey. (laugh) Your life is not in the limelight and I was just curious. Well, I started reading about your life NOW, and I am very impressed and very happy for you that you found God or better yet, He was always there, but I am happy that you finally let Him in. Congratulation!!!!! I didn’t anticipate in adding anything to your website, but I read what Fred said on July 3rd, 2006 and felt the need to respond. I am also a saved, sanctified and most definitely filled with the Holy Ghost. Fred, In Play’s defense, you say, “there is no scripture in the Bible that says music’s purpose is to win souls”, well I am here to tell you. There is no scripture stating the opposite. There are different reasons for why souls are brought to Christ just as the means are different as well. All I listen to is Gospel music and each song I’ve listened to open a door of past experiences and help me to see the light. The light being God. The reason why I finally stopped fighting God and let Him in and take control of my life. The music that Christopher produces tells a story. Just like all Christian songs tell a story. A story of yet another soul that God takes care of. The way God is, is told in music. Let it be through song… Whether it is through contemporary gospel music or any other style music. Just as long as the presence of God is there, I don’t believe it really matters what type of music it is. Remember, God’s word IS in all Christian music. With Hip Hop, it’s just an added twang to it. Fred, next time leave your negative comments in your head, where they only make sense to yourself. J Now… Christopher, since I was being nosey enough to see if you and your wife were still together. I believe I will take it a step further and check out the music you have produced. If you actually read this or any of your representatives read this, please email me a list of what you’ve done since God has taken over your life. Oh, one more thing, I was in hopes that you and your wife ARE still together. May God bless you in everything you do…
October 13th, 2006
i am in the rapping business my self i mean i try i been at it for
at least five years trying to spit hype stuff and i never got to meet kid and play i always wanted to i love every single movie they are in there the shit and they will always be the shit
old school is the best
January 12th, 2007
Hi Christopher;
I was searching the web for some things on Black History and typed in your name. I’m sure you’ve forgotten me, but I’m the one that considered myself to be a “pest” to you when I got you to speak at our church “Mt. Hebron Baptist Church” in Aliceville, Alabama several years ago. You were truly a blessing to our congregation and community. It’s good to know you’re still strong in the Lord; for we truly can…Do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Keep up the good work and know that God is good and that He is good all the time. Peace! (Isaish 40:31)
January 18th, 2007
I would love to talk to you Chris. If you get this please contact me. Much Love and GOD Bless you.
November 3rd, 2007
play i need to talk to you from rayco moes son you can reach me on my e mail