Welcome To Kid Hop

As producer of Kids Corner on WXPN for the past 20 years, I've discovered some incredible music for all ages - and sadly, ten times that in true crappy kids music.

In 1988 - the year Kids Corner started, the other debut was the not-yet-infamous BARNEY the purple dinosaur. That creature set quality family music back a decade! If it wasn't for Disney soundtracks, the late 80s and early 90s would have been even more painful than they were in the family music genre.

Then finally quality rock musicians started having kids and realizing there was an audience for both kids AND those that drive them everywhere. The beginnings of what is now 'family music' began; a mix of family-friendly folk and some traditional rock riffs.

Over time it has grown to a multi-million dollar industry - but one thing has always been limited; quality hip-hop ... until now !

Earlier this year a debut disc came across my desk from an artist named Secret Agent 23 Skidoo ... this disc is DOPE!

When North Carolina rapper Secret Agent 23 Skidoo became a dad, he set his sights toward creating hip-hop he and his daughter could enjoy equally. By combining the world of infectious beats and rhymes that he grew up on with the magical realm of childhood, he aims to introduce kids to hip hop without compromising either one.

His debut album, “Easy”, mixes traditional funk, bluegrass, reggae and blues with classic golden age hip hop beats. Then, he tops it off with positive, party rocking rhymes, and a slew of exciting characters from the last dragon left on earth to the bluegrasshopper.

This disc is a great listen - even if there are no kids miles around! This is easily one of my highlight discs for 2008 - as well as (hopefully) an influential release in the world of Family Music - fingers crossed that others listen to this Secret Agent and learn.

Check out this video clip of one of my favorite tracks from the disc "Gotta Be Me"


Find out more, http://www.secretagent23skidoo.com/