Kid 'N Play Were Teased By Ice Cube For Cleaning Up Lyrics On N.W.A. Tour

BY Erika Marie 4.1K Views
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Kid recalled touring with the gangsta rap group and being told by city officials that they couldn't use swear words during their set.

We received a glimpse into what N.W.A. endured while out on the road in the film Straight Outta Compton, and Christopher "Kid" Reid is confirming the dramatized telling of events. In the 1990s, family-friendly rappers Kid 'n Play dominated the big screens and the airwaves, and the powers that be paired them on tours with the likes of N.W.A. and Public Enemy. On paper, it doesn't seem that Kid 'n Play would appear alongside either group, but Kid explained why executives wanted that to happen.

"We helped them get in the buildings," Kid told VladTV. "Those groups had trouble getting insurance for those buildings, so Public Enemy would call us every year... They incorporated us to kinda show that yo, it's not all gangsta rap, Public Enemy political stuff and we all went out together." Kid added that he's still friends with all of the hardcore rap artists until this day.

Vlad wanted to know if Kid had any Eazy-E stories, and the rap legend said that as much as everyone got along and hung out with each other, the N.W.A. rapper wasn't seen around as often. "Outside of being onstage, Eazy was always keepin' it moving," said Kid. "He was in the presidential suite. They kind of kept him separate and whatever."

Kid shared a story of performing a show in Cincinnatti where everyone was told that they couldn't use any swear words during their performances, and while Kid 'n Play wasn't known for their vulgar language, they did have a song with the word "f*ck." During their set, they decided to say "mess with me" instead of "f*ck with me," and while they didn't get into any trouble, N.W.A. went on stage and defied all the rules. The groups had to run out of the venue and into their awaiting vehicles, and when they made it, Kid recalled Ice Cube mocking him for cleaning up his rhymes. 

Watch the clip below to hear more from Kid about being on the road with the gangsta rap icons.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.