Play
I heard there is supposed to be a twenty-city tour. What is the setup like is it more of a play or musical and who do you see as your main audience?
Play: We don’t like to call it a play, we call it a stage production. We’re looking at places like Baltimore, Philly, Charlotte and New Jersey. We’re not interested in the big places like New York until 2005. My hope is that the people that will be drawn to it will be club heads or hiphop heads. It’s not a church thing, even though the church relates to it. Its gonna be a party. We have several parts in it where it’s a tribute to hiphop where the DJ goes there and has you going down memory lane and the whole nine. It’s open to anyone who wants to see it.
What’s up with this Holy Hip hop album you’re supposed to be executive producing?
Play: They threw it to me as a gift. My main love is visuals, music videos and movies. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some pieces that are getting ready to get launched. I have one that is called “Brother Lane’s Last Call.” It’s a real story of an apostle that when he speaks cats want to kill him. What happens is that we are able to recreate his story and bring in some other friends like Ralph Tresvant from New Edition, Shirley Murdock and a lot of other people. That’s gonna be coming out real soon. Me and Salt also did a piece called “Apt. 36b,” which is about a cat who loses his love and turns to drugs and drinking and all of that and not caring about life. These are all things that people can relate to but there is a hiphop theme. A cat who loves hiphop can relate to a girl leaving him dying and he turns to get high all the time. That’s the cat you see in the neighborhood and you don’t know why he’s doing that. Same with Brother Lane’s Last Call. You can have an evangelist trying to save people’s lives but cats out there selling their drugs dissing the preacher are hiphop heads so it’s bringing it a lot of hiphop themes.
Could you tell us a little about your company HP4 Digital Works?
Play: That’s something I started which helps a person brings their vision to fruition from A-Z, whether I consult, participate in the production of it or post production. It’s all working through digital equipment, digital cameras and digital editing. It’s the not so glamorous part of the entertainment business.
Was that something that you were always interested in?
Play: It’s something that I became interested in. One of the scariest points is where you might have to come to the realization that this particular part of the entertainment business is over. So what do you do? The worst-case scenario or the nightmare of most people is to go back and work at Burger King or McDonalds. You can do that or you can realize some of the things that you were around that intrigued you when you got exposed to them. I became interested and obsessed with filmmaking. Then as a guy that never finished school the thing was I didn’t know anything so I was really on this search for a trade when it was all said and done. I wanted to learn how to do something.
You mentioned Kid earlier what’s the relationship between you and him? Are you still on good terms?
Play: We’re good he just lives in L.A. and I ain’t feeling L.A. I can’t put my finger on it but I’ve never been comfortable in L.A. I did a lot of damage out there. I did what people go to L.A. to do party and meet women. Maybe its burnout I dunno. I’m not a big year round warm weather person. I like my seasons. Kid likes the heat and that warm weather so that’s really for him. Kid is a great entertainer. He’s doing his stand up now, he’s an actor and even as a singer. The guy is awesome, he’s like a quadruple threat. So for a cat like me who wants to do things behind the scenes you can do that anywhere but for what he wants to do it’s a good location to make things happen.
Has everything always been cool with you cats and you just grew apart or was there a split somewhere?
Play: I don’t understand the break up thing because we’re two grown men. If it got to the point where we stuck as close as we were there would be rumors we were gay or something. The thing is nobody broke up we grew up. We’re all for doing another film. I’m not interested in doing any records but we already agreed to do films. We’re not just gonna gobble up anything that’s gonna ruin the last impression. We kinda went out on a good note so we want a script that’s gonna honor and enhance that. We’re good. I don’t know where the breakup thing would come from besides the fact that I went through what I went through and gave my life over to the lord and went other ways to finish growing in that. His thing was straight to L.A. and I’m not interested in living in L.A. If we were in the same city or something then it would be closer to seeing us together a lot. The last couple of times I been there I stayed at his place and hit a few clubs so it’s all good.
What made you do House Party 3 instead of moving to something totally different?
Play: It was contractual.
Did you have other roles that were coming in or were you pigeonholed by the House Party movies?
Play: I had a lot of roles coming in and I guess you can say I turned all of them down. I didn’t really think that much of acting. As far as what we did do I’m thankful and how I can be like that is not for myself because if it wasn’t for those movies I don’t know where a lot of actors would be. I’m very happy for Bernie Mac. When we did House Party 3 I saw “Who’s the Man” and I saw him in it and said I want to get you in House Party because you would be perfect to play Robin Harris’ brother and the studio loved it. We didn’t have to do it, but we were introducing the world to new talent. We had TLC, Bernie Mac, Candy Alexander, Chris Tucker and its real great to be affiliated with it. If we didn’t do the movies it could have played differently for other people.
Last question, do you have any memorable moments from the Kid n Play days that we can take with us?
Play: Man there is a whole bunch of them. I just agreed to do a book today that’s going to force me to remember a lot of stuff. It’s just that some stuff you can talk about and there’s stuff you can’t. I love Kid man. Him and my oldest son Christopher are the only people that can consistently make me laugh till I cry. It tickles me when I run into cats when they feel they aren’t going to make it and they feel its over and I’m like how old are you and they say 15. I’m like what? You still got a long way to go in this thing. We went through a lot but the better times of them all were when we struggled to make it. There were times when Kid would have enough for the brew and I would have enough to get something to eat and we’d put it together and make it happen. There would be times that we would be sitting by the radio and cats were blowing up. I remember one time it was Dana Dane, Salt n Pepa, and all of them were at the Apollo. We couldn’t go because we weren’t on the guest list and then we were by the radio listening to the live performance boiling with anger because we’re like we could do that. The whole thing was a ball and I feel fortunate because a lot of people will never experience it. When it gets bad is when you get greedy and you think its gonna last forever but you have to let other people get their shot and get on.
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