Africana Studies at Berklee to Induct Kid ’n Play into Berklee’s Hip-Hop Hall of Fame

The Africana Studies Division will induct the iconic rap duo Kid ’n Play, Boston’s breakdancing ambassadors, the Floor Lords, and hip-hop educator and activist Cindy Gibbs into the Berklee Hip-Hop Hall of Fame at the second annual Hip-Hop Concert on Wednesday, November 13, at 8:00 p.m. at the Berklee Performance Center. 

This is the second group of inductees into the Berklee Hip-Hop Hall of Fame, following the inaugural induction of Roxanne Shanté, Edo G., and renowned producer, engineer, and Berklee professor Prince Charles Alexander. 

Known for their upbeat party anthems, Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin released three albums, beginning with their debut record, 2 Hype​, in 1998, followed by Funhouse (1990) and Face the Nation (1991). All three albums focused on fun lyrics backed by hot, upbeat instrumental tracks. Building on their musical success, the duo also ventured into film with their breakout role in New Line Cinema’s House Party (1990) and subsequent sequels, thus solidifying their stardom and mainstream appeal.

“In this second year of our celebration of hip-hop, we are excited to honor internationally acclaimed creatives who are well -nown nationally as well as here in Boston,” said Emmett G. Price III, founding dean of the Berklee Africana Studies Division. “We are deeply honored to induct legendary hip-hop duo Kid ’n Play alongside Boston icons the Floor Lords and Roxbury's beloved 'Mother Hip-Hop' Cindy Diggs.”

The concert will be hosted by Boston's own, US Ambassador of Hip Hop and Cultural Exchange, Jazzmyn RED, and will feature performances by Kid 'n Play, the Floor Lords, and Berklee students.

Admission is $12 in advance and  $17 on the day of the show. This show will be seated. Tickets are available online.

About Kid ’n Play

Christopher “Kid” Reid, originally from the Bronx, and Christopher “Play” Martin from Queens, New York, met in the 1980s. The pair was in rival hip-hop crews, the Turnout Brothers and the Super Lovers, and eventually formed a duo under the name the Fresh Force Crew. In 1986, ''She's a Skeezer,’’ “All Hail the Drum,” and ''Rock Me'' were recorded on Sultra Records, and by 1987, the Fresh Force Crew changed its name to Kid ’n Play. 

Their stage show and the recognizable looks of Kid’s high-top fade haircut and Play’s low-top fade and unique custom-made jackets emphasized their teen-friendly appeal as well as their famous trademark Kid ’n Play kick-step. Ranked No. 43 on Billboard’s list of the 50 greatest rap groups of all time, Kid ’n Play found musical success on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts with 1989’s "Rollin’ with Kid ’n Play" (No. 11 and No. 2, respectively), "2 Hype" (No. 46 and No. 19, respectively) and "Gittin’ Funky" (No. 53 and No. 24, respectively). The duo's debut record, 2 Hype, reached No. 96 on the Billboard 200, No. 9 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). 

In 1990, Kid ’n Play scored its own NBC Saturday morning cartoon, with the two performers appearing in live-action wraparounds of the cartoons. The show stressed being a positive role model and taught kids how to get along with one another. The duo followed up House Party with leading roles in the 1992 Warner Bros. feature Class Act. After the two went their separate ways, Reid continued acting, guest starring in a number of television sitcoms including Full House and Sister, Sister and hosting shows such as It's Showtime at the Apollo and Your Big Break. In addition, he also wrote the theme music for HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and the Martin Lawrence sitcom Martin. 

Christopher “Play” Martin later became a born-again Christian, and devoted his time to working on Christian-based hip-hop music projects. He founded Playground Solutionz, a multimedia company that provides pre- and post-production for film, digital, and live productions. In 2007, his documentary about gang violence in North Carolina, Welcome to Durham, USA, won the Best Documentary Award at the New York International Film Festival.

About Cindy Diggs

Cindy Diggs, a peace-driven visionary who grew up in Roxbury, Massachusetts, is also known to many in her community as Boston’s “Mother Hip-Hop.” In the ’90s, she founded the organization Us Making Moves Forever (UMMF), which is dedicated to fostering peace and education in the streets by calling for local rappers to use their street credibility for philanthropy. She also founded the Hip Hop 4 Health Campaign to encourage inner-city youth to utilize Boston’s school health centers, which led to the project winning the American Public Health Association Award. Diggs then went on to create a T-shirt line to promote the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, which supports families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. Her amazing story and work has been commemorated in the 2017 stage play Hip Hop 9.1.1. Black Spots on My Soul, focusing on her journey through the challenges and complexities of urban life. Since 2021, Diggs has served as the community and cultural engagement manager in the Office of Equity and Community Health at Massachusetts General Hospital.

About the Floor Lords

Since their founding in 1981, the Floor Lords have stayed true to their original mission of using the positive aspect of hip-hop dance to reach and empower youth in Massachusetts and across the country. Over the past 40-plus years, the Floor Lords have become world champions in dance and artistry, teaching classes and workshops as well as running an after-school program called Hip Hop Mecca from 2006 to 2009, which was funded by the City of Boston. The program offered free lessons in dance, music production, and writing, while also providing job opportunities for the students. In October 2021, the organization opened its own studio in Harvard Square. Most recently, Alex “Bboy El Niño” Diaz, president of the Floor Lords crew, was a 2024 Paris Olympic hopeful and is a current member of Team USA. The global hip-hop ambassadors also host an annual event and dance competition that attracts over 500 participants from around the world.