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The Fun House With Kid & Play review
Production Company – Urban One podcasts
Rating – 
For people of my generation, there were the original rap gods. Run DMC were breaking ground crossing the rap/rock divide, and Public Enemy were opening minds to politics in a way that had many of the old guard worried for the first time since the 60s. You also had class clowns like Will Smith becoming superstars on their own TV comedies, but only one group had songs, dances, films, and a cartoon series. Ladies and gentlemen, I am of course talking about Kid & Play (although you would have guessed that from the title).
So what’s it about?
The Fun House with Kid & Play sees them interviewing other legendary figures in the history of rap music, along with public figures who have close ties with the culture. It’s only 11 episodes old, so there are plenty of possibilities to look forward to, although what the guys have accomplished so far is great.
I first assumed that it would be purely a show interviewing other superstars of hip hop culture. With luminaries such as Chuck D, Doug E Fresh and Treach, they really came out swinging. They have expanded somewhat in recent episodes though, with discussions about mental health in the entertainment industry, and talks by Pastor Jamal Bryant.
Is it any good?
The duo have a brilliant chemistry. Kid is the more rambunctious personality, while Play (now being a man of the cloth) takes a slightly more sensible approach, sometimes trying to rein Kid’s more adult humour in. If I remember correctly though, even in the films, Play was the cooler one of the pair, with Kid being more excitable.
Having said that, they are both very funny guys indeed, and there are plenty of moments that will have you laughing out loud, particularly in the segments either side of the actual interviews.
I mentioned Will Smith in the introduction, and there is a real comparison here to his podcast Class Of ‘88, that I reviewed previously, and while I haven’t fully caught up yet (I do have an awful lot of shows to get through every week), if they are as good as earlier shows, then they will be brilliant too.
Final thoughts
In the music industry, it has become a cliche for long-time musical collaborators to actually hate each other. After years working together and earning a fortune, they realise that there is no love for each other, and they are only there for the paycheck. There seems to be none of that here though. Kid N Play are truly like brothers.
If, like me, you grew up listening to this era of rap music, then I really can’t recommend this show highly enough. If you only knew Kid & Play through the House Party films, or even their short lived cartoon series, then I’d still recommend this.
You can’t really have too much Kid & Play.
You can get The Fun House with Kid & Play here:
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