Kid 'n Play

Kid 'n Play is an American hip-hop duo composed of Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin, known professionally as Kid and Play. The pair met while performing in rival high school groups, the Turnout Brothers and the Super Lovers, and initially formed their act under the name the Fresh Force Crew. Kid 'n Play became recognized for transforming rap's hardcore mentality into positive, message-oriented music suitable for teens and mainstream audiences. Their debut album, "2 Hype," achieved platinum status and led to opportunities in film and television, including a Saturday-morning cartoon show, marking the first time a rap act was featured in such a format.

The duo recorded three albums together: "2 Hype," "Kid 'n Play's Funhouse," and "Face the Nation." Notable singles include "Rollin' with Kid 'n Play," which reached No. 11 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, "Funhouse," a No. 1 hit on the Billboard rap singles chart, and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody," another No. 1 rap single. Their music emphasized positive lyrics and pop-friendly production. Kid's distinctive seven-inch hi-top fade hairstyle and the group's signature dance, the Kid 'n Play Kickstep—also known as the Funky Charleston—became cultural symbols, drawing inspiration from the 1920s Charleston dance.

Beyond music, Kid 'n Play starred in six feature films centered on hip-hop culture, including the "House Party" franchise, which grossed over $26 million at the box office. The films contributed to the careers of artists such as Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, AJ Johnson, Robin Harris, Bernie Mac, Chris Tucker, TLC, and Queen Latifah. The duo also appeared in a Saturday morning cartoon on NBC and were featured in a Marvel Comics series based on the show.

Following their collaboration, both Reid and Martin pursued individual careers. Reid continued acting, with guest roles in television sitcoms such as "Sister, Sister," and hosted shows including "It's Showtime at the Apollo" and "Your Big Break." He also composed theme music for the HBO show "Real Time with Bill Maher" and the sitcom "Martin." Martin founded Playground Solutionz, a multimedia company specializing in pre- and post-production for film, digital, and live productions. He is a self-taught documentarian and received the New York International Film Festival Award for best full-length feature documentary for "Welcome to Durham." Martin has also earned Grammy and Stellar Award nominations for his production work on "Taking the Gospel to the Streets" Volumes 1, 2, and 3, and for the release of "Holy Hip Hop the Movie."

Kid 'n Play have reunited for tours and appearances, including a RadioShack Super Bowl commercial, "The '80s Called," and an episode of TV One's "Unsung." Their influence in hip-hop culture is reflected in the continued popularity of the Kid 'n Play Kickstep, performed by artists such as Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Will Smith, underscoring their enduring legacy in music, film, and pop culture.