Purple Charlotte Steppers doing Chuck Baby Line Dance
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases seven YouTube videos of the "Chuck Baby" Soul Line dance. This line dance is always performed to the 2007 Go Go record "Chuck Baby" by Chuck Brown. These videos were published in 2022, 2023, 2016, and 2023.
This post also includes my editorial notes about these videos.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Chuck Brown for his cultural and musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
**** PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams post documents different ways that groups of female and male adult line dancers from various cities in the United States danced to the record "Chuck Baby". These videos also documents the different ways that one or more individuals within those groups performed more than the basic steps of that dance, "putting their own flavor to the mix."'
Most of the video in this post document soul line dancing before the custom of dancers holding and popping fans began or became widespread. Although a few of these videos showed line dancers holding a closed fan while dancing, none of those videos showed any fans being "popped" (i.e. the action and sound that is produced when line dancers flick their wrist, thereby opening up their fan which makes a popping sound). Prior to the now familiar custom of many soul line dancers holding and popping a folding fan while they dance, some soul line dancers held a short (usually) white cloth towel. That towel is used to wipe the sweat of their brow usually at the completion of a dance. Sometimes line dancers wave these towels, but that isn't shown in these particular videos.
I just happened to include videos that featured dancers carrying one of these towels. I didn't purposely choose videos with that feature in advance and wasn't aware of that commonality until I published and then re-watched this post.
****
Video #2, a whistle is heard in the beginning of the dance, but the person blowing the whistle isn't on camera. Soul line dance videos that feature fan popping sometimes also include the sound of one person blowing a whistle to augment the line dance's recorded song.
ADDITIONAL SHOWCASE VIDEOS These videos are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Chuck Baby Line Dance
Freda Terry, Sep 24, 2011
Freda Terry (Chicago's Line Dance Instructor) join Juanita
Collins (North Carolina's Line Dance "Down South Shuffle's Instructor) in
Chapel Hill celebrating Juanita's birthday with a line dancing work shop and
her crew. Had a great time doing
"Chuck Baby" and you can, too. -snip- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVtllEg9UNk
@LDFFTV, Jun 24, 2024 -snip- This is a snippet of attendees of the Bull City Sliders Spring Throwback Party doing the line dance, "Chuck Baby", choreographed by Sharon Holmes to the song, "Chuck Baby" by Chuck Brown https://youtube.com/shorts/MZdrbDZjMbQ?si=_YotOa5taSXPo5mr
****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #5 -Chuck Baby Line Dance, an oldie but a good one
@dinahharvey7763, 2023 "I see instead of them stepping up they're kicking up nice
move." -snip- This comment refers to the fact that there are several choreographies for the "Chuck Baby" line dance. In addition to members of a group or class doing the choreography that is accepted by that group or class, individuals can add their own twist to certain steps or moves as long as they remain on beat and don't get too "extra."
PBS is an American public broadcast service. Wikipedia
Chuck Brown performs at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C.
Video courtesy of raw Venture Records & Tapes
-snip- Comments are turned off -snip- Chuck Brown's "Wind Me Up" record was first released in 2010
I believe that the crowd at the beginning of this video are shouting 'Wind me up, Chuck" to encourage Chuck Brown and his band to perform that song. Please let me know in the comment section below what you hear that crowd saying
**** Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases Chuck Brown's Go Go song "Wind Me Up"*.
This post also presents some information about Chuck Brown and some information about Washington Go Go music.
The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Chuck Brown and his Soul Searchers' band for their musical and cultural legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to PBS News Hour, the publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip- The English language word "wind" in the song title "Wind Me Up" is pronounced like the English language word "wine". In the context of this song, "wind me up " means "excite me".
"Charles Louis Brown (August 22, 1936 – May 16, 2012) was an
American guitarist, bandleader, and singer known as "The Godfather of
Go-Go".[1] Go-go is a subgenre of funk music developed around the
Washington, D.C., area in the mid-1970s. While its musical classification,
influences, and origins are debated, Brown is regarded as the fundamental force
behind the creation of go-go music.[2][3]
At the time of his death, he was still performing music and
was well-known in the Washington, D.C., area. The song "Ashley's
Roachclip" from the 1974 album Salt of the Earth by Brown's band The Soul
Searchers[4] contains a drum break, sampled countless times in various other
tracks.[5] Brown's R&B hits include "Bustin' Loose"(1979)[6] and
"We Need Some Money"(1984).[7]
[…]
Awards and honors
Brown was a recipient of a 2005 National Heritage Fellowship
awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States'
highest honor in the folk and traditional arts.[22]
In 2009, the 1900 block of 7th Street NW, in Northwest
Washington, D.C., between Florida Avenue and T Street, was renamed Chuck Brown
Way in his honor.
On September 4, 2011, Brown was honored by the National
Symphony Orchestra, as the NSO paid tribute to Legends of Washington Music
Labor Day concert - honoring Brown's music, as well as Duke Ellington and John
Philip Sousa - with a free concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol. Brown and
his band capped off the evening with a performance.
In 2014, the Chuck Brown Memorial Park in Langdon
neighborhood, Washington, D.C., was built to honor Brown. It features a
memorial wall honoring his life and achievements, as well as a sculpture called
"Wind Me Up, Chuck", signifying the "call and response"
associated with go-go music.[23][24]
[…]
Genres
Go-go, funk, swing, hip hop, neo soul, jazz-funk blues
Instrument Guitar
Years active 1960s–2012"...
**** INFORMATION ABOUT WASHINGTON D. C.'S GO GO MUSIC
"Go-go is a subgenre of funk music with an emphasis on
specific rhythmic patterns, and live audience call and response.
Go-go was originated by African-American musicians in
Washington, D.C., during the mid-1960s to late-1970s. Go-go has limited
popularity in other areas, but maintains a devoted audience in the Washington
metropolitan area as a uniquely regional music style and was named the official
music of Washington, D.C., in February 2020.[2]
Performers associated with the development of the style
include Rare Essence, EU, Trouble Funk, and singer-guitarist Chuck Brown.[3]
Modern artists like Charles "Shorty Corleone" Garris continue the
go-go tradition in D.C.[4]
Description
The most important part of the go-go beat is the bass/snare
pattern.
In technical terms, "go-go's essential beat is
characterized by a five through four syncopated rhythm that is underscored
prominently by the bass drum and snare drum, and the hi-hat... [and] is
ornamented by the other percussion instruments, especially by the conga drums,
rototoms, and hand-held cowbells."[5]
Unique to go-go is instrumentation with two standard congas
and two junior congas, 8" and 9" wide and about half as tall as the
standard congas, a size rare outside go-go. They were introduced to Rare
Essence by Tyrone "Jungle Boogie" Williams in the early days when
they couldn't afford full-sized congas and are ubiquitous ever since.[6] Its
name arises from the persistent percussive beat, but it incorporates elements
of many other genres.[7]
Origins
Although Chuck Brown is known as "the Godfather of
Go-Go", go-go is a musical movement that cannot be traced back to one
single person, as there were so many bands that flourished during the beginning
of this era that they collectively created the sound that is recognized as
go-go of today. Artists such as Marvin Gaye, Van McCoy, Billy Stewart, Peaches
& Herb, Black Heat,[8] Experience Unlimited (E.U.), Vernon Burch, Sir Joe
Quarterman & the Free Soul, the Moments, Ray, Goodman & Brown, True
Reflection, the Unifics, Terry Huff & Special Delivery,[9] Act 1, the
Dynamic Superiors, Skip Mahoney & the Casuals, the Choice Four, and the
Fuzz that played soul music during pre-go-go era.[10]
The term "gogo" (as it applies to a music venue)
originated in France in the early 1960s, at the Whiskyagogo nightclub, named
after the French title for the British comedy "Whisky Galore!".[11]
The club also featured go-go dancers. In January 1964, capitalizing on the
emerging popularity of "go-go dancers", the name was licensed to a
Los Angeles club, the Whisky a Go Go, and from there the term "go-go"
spread nationwide.[12] The Cafe Au Go Go in NYC was also in business during
that time, gaining notoriety when Lenny Bruce was arrested there in April
1964.[13] By 1965, "go-go" was a recognized word for a music club, as
evidenced by the TV show Hollywood A Go-Go (march 1965-1966), or the song title
of that year's hit Going to a Go-Go by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
(released November 1965). At a go-go club, dancers could expect to hear the
latest top 40 hits, performed by local bands and DJ's. (The French Whiskyagogo
had been one of the first venues in the world to replace live music with records
selected by a disc jockey.)[11]
In Washington D.C., minor group the Young Senators were
formed in 1965, beginning a fierce competition with Chuck Brown and Black Heat
on the local club circuit. The Young Senators later became known for their song
"Jungle" released in 1970 by Innovation Records.[14][10][15]
Guitarist and bandleader Chuck Brown is widely regarded as
"the Godfather of Go-Go".
Chuck Brown was a fixture on Washington and Maryland music
scene with his band Los Lotinos as far back as 1966. By the mid-1970s, he had
changed the group's name to The Soul Searchers, and developed a laid-back,
rhythm-heavy style of funk performed with one song blending into the next (in
order to keep people on the dance floor). The beat was based on Grover
Washington Jr.'s song "Mr. Magic,"[16] though Brown has said in
interviews that both he and Washington had adapted the beat from a gospel music
beat found in black churches.[17]
[…]
History
Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers released their first
go-go hit "Bustin' Loose" in late 1978; it reached number one on the
Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs R&B charts and held that position for a
month during February and March 1979 (peaking at #34 on the Pop chart).
Experience Unlimited (a.k.a. E.U.) who originally formed in
1974 was a band more influenced by rock (their name a nod to the Jimi Hendrix
Experience[18]), that started out in the 1970s. After witnessing Rare Essence
in the late-1970s, they modified their style to incorporate the go-go beat.
Kurtis Blow's "Party Time" subsequently put them on the map to be
later tracked down by Grace Jones and to take the King of Go-Go Production,
Maxx Kidd to an international music adventure with Island Records, to make E.U.'s
greatest hit "Da Butt" for the soundtrack of the 1988 film School
Daze, written, directed and produced by Spike Lee.
[..]
1980s
In the 1980s, some go-go bands such as Chuck Brown, Trouble
Funk, EU, Rare Essence, Hot Cold Sweat, The Junk Yard Band, AM/FM, Redds and
the Boys, Slug-Go achieved local success. Trouble Funk put out a few records on
New Jersey–based label Jamtu before signing with one of the more powerful hip
hop labels, Sugar Hill, where it released a six-track LP called Drop the Bomb
in 1982, which included the hit "Pump Me Up" which had already been a
regional hit years before. Maxx Kidd founded go-go label T.T.E.D. Records in
1982.
E.U. got its big break in 1986 when it was booked to play a
party celebrating the release of Spike Lee's debut film, She's Gotta Have
It.[23] Lee liked what he heard, and tapped the band to perform a song in his
next movie, School Daze. "Da Butt" (written for the film by Marcus
Miller and E.U. keyboardist, Kent Wood) made it to number one on Billboard's
R&B chart (No. 35 Pop) and scored the band a Grammy nomination (they lost
to "Love Overboard" by Gladys Knight & the Pips)”… -snip- "Washington D.C.'s Go Go music isn't the same music that was played for "Go Go dancing".
We have a shared responsibility to keep our community safe.
Wear a mask or face covering to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you need a test visit coronavirus.dc.gov.
Wearing a mask is one of the ways we can protect ourselves and each other. For
over 25 years, Step Afrika! has stepped on stages around the world and now
we're stepping on our virtual stage and in our community, with a powerful,
relevant message: #MASKITUP . Visit www.stepafrika.org for more information
about the #MaskItUp campaign.
#MaskItUp combines the African American art form of stepping
and Go-Go, the official music of Washington, DC to amplify this critical public
health message. HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! Watch & share this video!
Filmed in our hometown of Washington, DC the video features
our favorite landmarks including Chuck Brown Memorial Park in NE, the Atlas
Performing Arts Center in NE, the Big Chair in SE, the Wharf in SW and the
legendary home of the #DontMuteDC movement the Metro PCS Store on Florida and
7th Street NW!
Special thanks to Dr. Yolandra Hancock for her counsel and
partnership for this campaign. Visit
askdryola.com for first-hand information about COVID-19 and ways to keep your
family safe.
Filmed and Edited by Ajah Smith. Lyrics written by Jeeda
Barrington. Choreography by Jakari Sherman and Jeeda Barrington.
Featuring the Artists of Step Afrika! : Emerald Holman,
Conrad R. Kelly II, Misha Michel, Ronnique Murray, Dustin Praylow, Ajah Smith,
Valencia Springer, Jordan Spry, Nicolas Stewart, Pelham Warner, Jr., Robert
Warnsley, and Jeeda Barrington.
Percussion by Kofi Agyei, Jeeda Barrington, Conrad Kelly,
Ajah Smith and Valencia Springer. Costumes by Mfoniso Akpan and Jordan Spry.
Sound Engineering by Gustavo Trejo, Sole DidIt and Jeeda Barrington. Produced
by C. Brian Williams and Mfoniso Akpan.
Special thanks to Highway 160 Proof (an African-American
owned and produced hand sanitizer based in Houston, TX) and Joe’s Movement
Emporium (for providing a safe space in which to rehearse and create during
these challenging times).
This pancocojams post showcase a video of Step Afrika's performance of "MASKIT UP".
This performance combines spoken word about Covid-19 prevention with performances of African American originated stepping and Washington D.C's Go Go music.
Information about Covid-19 prevention is included in this post along with information about Step Afrika!, stepping, and Go Go music.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, educational, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are associated with Step Afrika! and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone should:
-Clean your hands often, either with soap and water for 20
seconds or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
-Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
-Put distance between yourself and other people (at least 6
feet).
-Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
-Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the
tissue in the trash.
-Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
daily.
-CDC recommends that people wear masks in public settings and
when around people outside of their household, especially when other social
distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
-Masks may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from
spreading the virus to others."
**** INFORMATION ABOUT STEP AFRIKA! From https://www.stepafrika.org/about/ "Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the
first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Under Mr.
Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural
exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe, and the Company now
ranks as one of the top ten African-American dance companies in the United
States.
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by
historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African
dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive,
compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows;
they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend
of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves
the audience with their hearts pounding.
Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for
young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural
understanding. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year
through a 50-city tour of colleges and theaters and performs globally as
Washington, DC’s one and only Cultural Ambassador.
Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding
Contribution to Arts Education, Innovation in the Arts, Excellence in an
Artistic Discipline and headlined President Barack Obama’s Black History Month
Reception at The White House. The Company is featured prominently at the
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History & Culture with
the world’s first stepping interactive exhibit."
**** INFORMATION ABOUT STEPPIN(G) A general definition of steppin (g) Steppin (Stepping) is a syncopated, choreographed group performance art that occurs at competitive "step shows" and other competitive and non-competitive venues. The performance art of steppin originated among historically Black (African American) university based Greek lettered fraternities & sororities. Steppin includes chanting, singing with no musical instruments while performing percussive body movements such as stomping, (individual) hand clapping, and "pattin juba (rhythmically slapping and patting your arms, legs, and chest). - written by Azizi Powell
** Here's yet another definition of stepping: From https://www.valdosta.edu/student/student-life/documents/glossary-of-greek-terms.pdf "Stepping- a form of percussive dance in which the participant's entire body is used as an instrument to produce
complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Though stepping
may be performed by an individual, it is generally performed by groups of three or more, often in arrangements
that resemble military formations" -snip- Also, read this definition from that same pdf for the performance movement art form of "strolling" which also originated with historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities: "Strolling – NPHC Organizational members move together in a line expressing pride for their organization. In
this line, members may express their pride through use of their organization‟s call, sign or historical
information, ritual/custom dances, etc. All of this is done through movements that are unique to a particular
organization.
Please Do: Enjoy watching, as each organization has a unique way and style of strolling.
Please Don’t: Emulate the stroll or cut in between members of the line. That is considered a sign of
disrespect" -snip- Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/04/when-did-historically-black-greek.html for the 2015 pancocojams post entitled "When Did Historically Black Greek Letter Fraternity & Sorority Stepping Begin?".
Also, click the African American fraternity and sorority stepping and strolling tag that is found below for more pancocojams posts that include information and videos on this subject.
**** INFORMATION ABOUT WASHINGTON D.C.'S GO GO MUSIC From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-go "Go-go is a popular music subgenre associated with funk
originating in the Washington, D.C., area during the mid-60s to late-70s which
remains popular in the Washington metropolitan area as a uniquely regional
music style. It became the official music of the city in 2020.[1] Some early
bands credited with having developed the style are the Young Senators, funk
band Black Heat, and singer-guitarist Chuck Brown.[2] Go-go is primarily a
dance hall music with an emphasis on live audience call and response.
Origins
Although Chuck Brown is known as "the Godfather of
Go-Go", go-go is a musical movement that cannot be traced back to one
single person, as there were so many bands that flourished during the beginning
of this era that they collectively created the sound that is recognized as
go-go of today.
[...]
In the mid-1960s, "go-go" was the word
for a music club in the local African-American community, as in the common
phrase at the time going to a go-go popularized by a million-selling hit of the
same name by the Miracles. Dancers could expect to hear the latest top 40 hits,
as many as twenty at a time, performed by local funk and soul bands, including
Chuck Brown. In 1965, the Young Senators (later known as "the Emperors of
Go-Go") were formed; there soon began a fierce competition with Chuck
Brown and Black Heat on the local club circuit. They later became known for
their hit "Jungle."[8][9][10]"... -snip- Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/05/chuck-brown-washington-dcs-go-go-music.html for the 2012 pancocojams post entitled "Chuck Brown & Washington, D.C's Go Go Music". That post presents information about Chuck Brown and Go Go music as well as several Go Go music videos.
This pancocojams post showcases the 1988 Hip Hop track (song) "Rollin With Kid N Play" and includes information about that track and a clip from the movie House Party that features that track. In addition, this post provides explanations about American vernacular English terms and sayings that are found in "Rollin With Kid N Play" lyrics.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistics, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Kid N Play for their musical legacy. Thanks to all who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
The idea for this post came to me as a result of happening upon a website that features text (word only) examples of more than seventy camp songs - Camp Maripai, a Girl Scout camp in Prescott, Arizona. One of those camp songs clearly borrowed its beginning lines from "Rollin With Kid N Play". Here's the link to the pancocojams post that features that camp song and several other camp songs from that website that include lyrics from contemporary (post 1960) African American sources: https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/06/ooh-ungowa-funky-chicken-five-other_19.html.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT KID N PLAY
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_%27n_Play
Kid 'n Play is an American hip-hop act from New York City that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The duo was composed of Christopher "Kid" Reid (born April 5, 1964) and Christopher "Play" Martin (born July 10, 1962) working alongside their DJ, Mark "DJ Wiz" Eastmond.[1][2] Besides their successful musical careers, they are also notable for branching out into acting.[3]
History
Music career
[...]
Kid 'n Play recorded three albums together between 1988 and 1991: 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 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 ten inches high at its peak. Martin regularly wore eight-ball jackets.
Kid 'n Play were also notable for their dance known as the Kid n' Play Kickstep, first seen in their video "Do This My Way," and described in the song "Do the Kid n' Play Kickstep," from their first album, 2 Hype. Also affectionately known as the "Funky Charleston," it was influenced by the 1920s era dance The Charleston. The Kid n' Play Kickstep featured the new jack swing-aerobic dance moves typical of late 1980s urban street dancing. Unlike the original Charleston, The Kid n' Play Kickstep requires two participants instead of one. This dance also was made quite popular in Kid 'n Play's feature film House Party, in which Kid and Play have a dance competition with Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson.
Acting careers
In addition to their music, Kid 'N Play have starred together in five feature films, all of them based around hip hop characters and themes. The duo also appeared on the soundtrack albums to these films. Four of the Kid 'n Play films were entries in the House Party series.[4] 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 (1994) featured hip-hop/R&B girl group TLC as the music group Sex as a Weapon. Kid 'n Play were absent from the fourth film House Party 4 (2001), which has no connection to any of the prior films or the subsequent film, House Party 5 (2013) in which the duo make a cameo appearance, revealing how successful their characters have become since the events of House Party 3....
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 teenagers, but their recording careers remained intact, as did their comic personas"...
-snip-
Additional information & (pancocojams) editorial comments:
Kid 'N Play's 1988 track "Rollin' With Kid 'N Play" samples Ripple's 1973 track "I Don't Know What It Is, but It Sure Is Funky"
"Sample appears at 0:32 (and throughout)" http://www.whosampled.com/sample/22055/Kid-%27N-Play-Rollin%27-With-Kid-%27N-Play-Ripple-I-Don%27t-Know-What-It-Is,-but-It-Sure-Is-Funky/
**
"Rollin With Kid N Play" uses the call & response format that is characteristic of Washington D.C.'s Go Go music* throughout the track, with the rappers Kid and Play taking turns being the caller or responder or completing each other's sentences. The background singers also use call & response while singing the catchy chorus "O la o la eh/Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now".
* Read information about "Go Go" music below.
**
"Rollin With Kid N Play" serves three purposes besides the creation of a highly danceable jam:
1. Introduce "Kid N Play" (as well as the duo's DJ & producer) and promote the duo, largely through self-bragging, but also with some taunting unnamed Hip Hop competitors
2. Introduce/promote Go Go music
3. Encourage listeners to become their fans
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Rollin' With Kid 'N Play - Kid 'N Play (1988)
djbuddyloverootsrap, Uploaded on Oct 25, 2011
"Rollin' With Kid 'N Play" was the most successful single release from "2 Hype", the debut album by rap duo Kid 'N Play. The album was released in 1988 for Select Records and was produced by Hurby 'Luv Bug' Azor and The Invincibles. "2 Hype" was a success for the duo, reaching #96 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and being certified Platinum by the RIAA. Three singles found success on the Hot Rap Singles chart, "Rollin' with Kid 'N Play" (#2), "2 Hype" (#19) and "Gittin' Funky" (#24). In 2008, "Rollin' With Kid N Play" was ranked number 63 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Kid 'N Play is a hip-hop and comedy duo from New York City that was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The duo was composed 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), working alongside their DJ, Mark 'DJ Wiz' Eastmond (born March 21, 1966 in Queens, New York City). Besides their successful musical careers, Kid 'N Play are also notable for branching out into acting. This channel is dedicated to all the great rap music from back in the day. The music that started the whole hip-hop revolution, the incredible music from the 70s, the 80s, and the early 90s . . . The Roots Of Rap are here!
-snip-
I reformatted this YouTube video summary to increase its readability.
****
Example #2: Kid N' Play - Rollin' With Kid N' Play (Video)
kennylavish, Uploaded on Aug 24, 2010
FROM THE ALBUM "2 HYPE" (1988).
-snip-
This is a scene from the first House Party movie.
****
LYRICS - ROLLIN WITH KID N PLAY
(as performed by Kid N Play*)
Chorus:
O la oh la eh.
(O la oh la eh.)
Rollin rollin rollin with Kid and Play now.
(Rollin rollin rollin with Kid and Play now.)
O la oh la eh.
(O la oh la eh.)
Rollin rollin rollin with Kid and Play now.
(Rollin rollin rollin with Kid and Play now.)
Kid - Now ,Play, I don’t know what is it about that beat that we have here,
but it sure is funky.
Chorus:
O la O la eh.
(O la O la eh.)
Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now.
(Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now.)
O la O la eh.
(O la O ha eh.)
Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now.
(Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now.)
Play: Yo, Kid,
I don’t know what is it about this groove that here makin us move,
but it sure is funky.
O la O la eh.
(O la O la eh.)
Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now.
(Rollin rollin rollin with Kid N Play now.)
Play- It is time to rap.
Kid - Shall we?
Play - Sure.
Kid- Kid N Play back goin strong.
Play- Dope and dap, we can get funky with the best.
We just hypin it up.
Kid - You know, just how it had to be.
Play - Just take a look around, boy. Can’t you see that
I’mma bum rushin.
Kid - Girls are just watchin,
Play - Wiz got the scratchin
Kid - while Hurby’s all percussion.
We’re settin the stage
for the stage to get set off
I want some rhyming and dancing to jet off.
So get off ‘cause you bit off
Play- more than you can chew.
Kid- Now watch the dynamic duo
do a little go go thang.
Play - Come on, rock and swing.
You gotta
Kid - roll with Kid N Play.
Play - Now everybody say:
Chorus
Kid- Now we’re the stars of stage,
wax, and video.
Play- We’re here to tear it up.
Kid and Play - So come on, here we go.
Kid- So pump it up, this is hot power stuff.
Play - Kid N Play can’t get enough
Kid and Play - of that funky go go rhythm.
Play - You wanted a dope jam
Well, that’s what we’re givin.
Play - We’re headed for fame
Kid - cause Kind N Play’s drivin.
Play- Boy we don’t shirk
Kid - and large is how we livin.
Play- We stay paid.
Kid- You know the boys have got it made.
Play- You see I’m a tramp.
Kid- And I’m am the fella with the high top fade.
Play- Gettin down to the sound.
Kid- You know, we ‘bout to turn it out.
Play- Come on with Kid N Play.
Kid and Play- Everybody shout:
Chorus
Kid - Now, I bet you ladies
Kid and Play - wanna see
Play - P. L. A. Y.
Kid - and K. I. D.
Kid and Play - We’re not like the rest.
Our style is def
and we present ourselves
Play - as the very best
Kid - on the microphone.
We relay to the
Kid and Play - soul.
Kid - Your whole damn body we will control.
So
stay calm, don’t get alarmed.
Gonna relax you ladies with a deadly charm.
Play - Gonna go to work on you fellas too
to make you wanna do the things we do.
Kid - ‘cause when ah
Play - Kid N Play is in your town
Kid - you gotta
Play - keep rockin to the go go sound.
Kid - You gotta
Play - keep rockin all day all night
‘cause we’re different.
Kid - We’re like dynamite on the mic.
Kid and Play - So shake
Play - your butt, shake it down
‘Cause we got the best
music all around.
Kid - Hurby’s our producer.
Play - Wiz is the DJ.
Kid and Play - Roll with Kid N Play.
Now, everybody say:
[Chorus]
-snip-
This is my transcription of "Rollin With Kid N Play". I made this transcription because i couldn't find the lyrics for this track online.
The words in the chorus that are given brackets designate that they are sung in response to the preceding "call".
Additions and corrections (including which of the duo spoke those lines) are welcome.
Also, if you know the name/s of the composer/s of this Hip Hop track, please share it in the comment section below. Thanks!
****
EXPLANATIONS FOR AND INFORMATION ABOUT AMERICAN VERNACULAR TERMS/SAYINGS IN THE HIP HOP TRACK "ROLLIN WITH KID N PLAY"
Unless otherwise indicated, I'm sharing what I believe are the meanings for these American* vernacular English terms/sayings in the context of this song. I've written those words in italics to emphasize their importance, since vernacular terms often have multiple meanings. One quote from the lyrics that include these terms is given in parenthesis after some of these definitions.
This list also includes the meanings of certain lines in this Hip Hop composition.
Additions and corrections are welcome.
*I believe that most of the terms and sayings that are included in those lyrics are from African American Vernacular English.
A, B
"Bit off more than you can chew" - tried to do more than you are capable of doing ( in this context, other rappers can't do better than Kid N Play)
**
"Bum rushin" -a play on word with “bum" here meaning (a lady's) "butt" (meaning, trying to "romantically" pursue (meet up with) the ladies
****
C, D
"Come on with Kid n Play" = invitation to become fans of Kid N Play (This is another way of saying "Come roll with Kid N Play")
**
"Dap" - (from the word "dapper") someone who looks good, stylish
**
"Def" (from the word "definitely", without any doubt very good ["Our style is def"]
**
"Dope" = very good; exceptional ("Dope and dap, we can get funky with the best."
**
"Drivin" -determined to succeed ("‘cause Kid N Play is drivin)"
"Earl King recently told me I was the first guy he ever heard use the term funky about music..."
" 'Think about Foley, how funky and dirty he stinks and smells. Think about playing the music just like that."
-Earl Palmer, Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story
"Damn, that's funky!"
#groove#feel#music#style#feeling
by bbmatt September 22, 2009"
**
G, H
"Get off" - [in the context of this Hip Hop track] spoken to any potential Hip Hop competitors]- leave the stage, leave the Hip Hop competition
**
"getting down to the sound" - really feeling the music and/or performing the music really well
**
"Go go" (sound’ music)
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go-go
"Go-go is a popular music subgenre associated with funk that originated in the Washington, D.C., area during the mid-60s to late-70s. It remains primarily popular in the Washington metropolitan area as a uniquely regional music style...
Inspired by artists such as the groups mentioned above, go-go is a blend of funk, rhythm and blues, and old school hip-hop, with a focus on lo-fi percussion instruments and funk-style jamming in place of dance tracks, although some sampling is used. As such, it is primarily a dance hall music with an emphasis on live audience call and response. Go-go rhythms are also incorporated into street percussion….
In the mid-1960s, "go-go" was the word for a music club in the local African American community, as in the common phrase at the time going to a go-go popularized by a million-selling hit of the same name by The Miracles”...
-snip-
I added italics to highlight that sentence.
Here's some more information about "Go Go music" from From http://www.upress.state.ms.us/books/1167 The Beat!
Go-Go Music from Washington, D.C. by Kip Lornell and Charles C. Stephenson, Jr:
"Its [Go Go music] super-charged drumming and vocal combinations of hip-hop, funk, and soul evolved and still thrive on the streets of Washington, D.C., and in neighboring Prince George's County, making it the most geographically compact form of popular music.
Go-go--the only musical form indigenous to Washington, D.C.--features a highly syncopated, nonstop beat and vocals that are spoken as well as sung”....
**
"Groove"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groove_(music)
"In music, groove is the sense of propulsive rhythmic "feel" or sense of "swing". In jazz, it can be felt as a persistently repeated pattern. It can be created by the interaction of the music played by a band's rhythm section (e.g. drums, electric bass or double bass, guitar, and keyboards). Groove is a key of much popular music, and can be found in many genres, including salsa, funk, rock, fusion, and soul.
…Musicologists and other scholars have analyzed the concept of "groove" since around the 1990s. They have argued that a "groove" is an "understanding of rhythmic patterning" or "feel" and "an intuitive sense" of "a cycle in motion" that emerges from "carefully aligned concurrent rhythmic patterns" that stimulates dancing or foot-tapping on the part of listeners."
**
"High top fade"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-top_fade
"A hi-top fade is a style of haircut where hair on the sides is cut off or kept very short while hair on the top of the head is very long.[1]
The hi-top was a trend symbolizing the Golden Era of hip hop and urban contemporary music during the 1980s and the early 1990s.[2] It was common among young black people between 1986 and 1993 and to a lesser extent in the mid-1990s (1994–1996).[3]"...
-snip-
High top fades are usually considered a Black male (natural) hair style ; “Kid” [one member of the Hip Hop duo “Kid N Play”] wore his hair in a high top fade, but all high top fades weren’t (aren’t) as high as his.
**
"Hypin it up" - raising the energy of the [at the] event or with the music, making it more exciting
****
I, J
"Jam" - a musical record, track, tune ("a dope jam")
**
"Jet off" = move fast "I want some rhyming and dancing to jet off"
****
K, L
"Livin large" - being rich and living a life surrounded by luxury ("large is how we livin")
****
M. N
"N" - and ("Kid N Play")
****
O, P,
"On the mic - microphone; referent to a MC (rapper) rapping (spitting bars)
**
"Pump it up" - raise the energy, excitement higher (synonym - "Get hype") ("So pump it up, this is hot power stuff)
****
Q, R
"Rockin" - dancing to, moving to, performing ("Keep rockin to the go go sound")
**
Rollin (with Kid N Play) - "hanging with" (traveling with)Kid N Play, but with the meaning "becoming fans of this Hip Hop duo; the lyrics "Come on with Kid N Play" basically have the same meaning as "Rollin With Kid N Play"
****
S, T
"Scratchin"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratching
"Scratching, sometimes referred to as scrubbing, is a DJ and turntablist technique used to produce distinctive percussive or rhythmic sounds and sound effects by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while optionally manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with African-American hip hop music, where it emerged in the mid-1970s, it has been used in the 1990s and 2000s in some styles of rap rock, rap metal and nu metal. Within hip hop culture, scratching is one of the measures of a DJ's skills."
**
"Tear it up" - do something exceptionally well (contemporary African American Vernacular English synonyms; "murdered" [it], "killed" [it] ) ("We’re here to tear it up")
**
Thang = thing
**
"Tramp" = Play's persona in the Kid N Play duo; In the context of this Hip Hop duo, "tramp" is a man who is a "playa" (note "Play's" stage name), a bad boy [man] or "dirty" man who has a lot of women (i.e. "loves them and leaves them", travels from one woman to the next; "bad" here means the opposite of good"; (I wonder was Kid's persona in this duo is a man who acts like a kid, providing some comic elements in his interactions with Play & others, and also providing a comic element regarding the height of his high top fade hair style.)
**
Turn it out – do really well (synonym "tear it up") ("We ‘bout to turn it out")
****
U,V
****
W, X
Wax = record, album, Cd
**
"We stay paid" = we always have money from gigs (work; concerts, record sales etc.)
**
"We’re settin the stage for the stage to get set off" - we're introducing ourselves (via this album) so that our successful career will begin
