By Bill Parry
The Museum of the Moving Image will present a 25th anniversary screening of “House Party,” the hip hop comedy cult classic film that catapulted the rap duo Kid ’n Play to fame in 1990, Friday night at 7 p.m. Christopher “Kid” Reid and Christopher “Play” Martin are hoping to take part, via Skype from Las Vegas, in a discussion with members of the cast and crew after the screening.
“I think it’s amazing that the museum is doing this, I really do,” Martin said, “especially that it’s in Astoria, the next neighborhood over from East Elmhurst where I grew up.”
Reid moved to Flushing from the Bronx and the two became friends, during the ’80s, while working as telephone sales reps at a Sears Roebuck in College Point.
“We were the guys that would call and bother you around dinner time trying to get you to buy contracts for parts and services,” Martin said. “Salt-n-Pepa worked there, too, and Martin Lawrence pumped gas at the station across the street. It was quite a place to be. There was no other time like the ’70s and ’80s for hip hop in New York City and people are beginning to acknowledge that era now.”
Kid ’n Play had a string of hits and their videos were in heavy rotation on MTV, and “House Party” was released to critical acclaim. Roger Ebert favorably compared the film to a musical—one that depicts “black teenagers with a freshness and originality that’s rare in modern movies.”
The film’s set-up is simple. A grounded teen sneaks out of his house to attend the ultimate house party, where an epic night of dance contests, rap battles and flirtation awaits. With cameos by funk superstar George Clinton and members of Full Force, the commercial success of “House Party” opened the door for a new wave of films with rappers in the starring role, including “Juice” (1992) with Tupac Shakur and “Belly” (1998) with DMX and Nas, who was raised in the Queensbridge Houses.
“Kid and I became the poster boys for friendship and being a part of Kid ’n Play was like hitting a lifetime lottery, it’s the gift that keeps on giving,” Martin said. “We still get together and perform and this anniversary has us touring the country together, that’s why we’re in Vegas.”
The duo’s friendship remained strong after splitting up in 1995 with Martin settling in North Carolina where he founded a cutting-edge production company which develops and produces short and full-length multimedia projects.
In 2006, Martin suffered a devastating and life-changing incident. “I was walking my dog on wet grass and my leg got tangled in the leash,” he said. “I ended up laid out for a year until I could learn to walk again.”
During his recovery, Martin found himself engulfed in watching biographies, documentaries and 24-hour news networks.
“What I saw was disheartening,” he said. “All this subjective reporting and misconceptions that only divide people. It’s alarming how people can watch the same thing and come away with completely different opinions because everything’s been politicized and I find that disheartening.”
Martin created his own multimedia news company Brand Newz that reports on the positive people and events in society.
“One of the greatest compliments I get these days is people saying ‘Wow, I didn’t know you’re contributing to change’ and I find that satisfying,” he said, adding that he wished his schedule allowed him to be at the Museum of the Moving Image for the event, but that would mean he would have to watch the screening.
“I’ll let you in on a little secret, I don’t watch it because I’m my own worst critic,” Martin said. “I actually cringe when I see myself. I’ll watch Kid and the others in the movie, but when I see myself, I change the channel to ‘Frazier.’”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
