Wee Papa Girl Rappers
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Along with act's like the Cookie Crew, Betty Boo, Monie Love and the She Rockers, the Wee Papa Girl Rappers were part of a first wave of female rappers within the British hip hop community to have signifcant commercial and UK Singles Chart success in the late 1980's/early 1990's. Originally signed to Jive Records - twin sisters Sandra Lawrence aka Total S and Samantha Lawrence aka T.Y. Tim/Timmie, are best remembered for the single Wee Rule - ironically more inspired by and reggae and dancehall than rap/hip hop, which reached #6 on the UK Singles Chart in October 1988. Another one of their singles Heat it Up - featuring Two Men and A Drum Machine, was a very popular dance track which reached #21 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1988. It also featured an acid house/techno style remix from Inner City's Kevin Saunderson which may have contributed to the popularity of the track at the time and released two albums on the Jive label before splitting up.
However both at the time and now the group is viewed with a certain amount of embarrassment by the British hip hop community. Because of its pop oriented approach. However, as part of the first groups to break through into the mainstream in Britain, the group brought this new style of music to the attention of a wider audience and helped the establishment of British hip hop — as well as paving the way for later British female pop acts.
Discography
Albums
- The Beat, The Rhyme, The Noise (Jive, 1988)
- Be Aware (Jive, 1990)
Singles
- "Faith" (1988) UK #60
- "Heat it Up" (1988) UK #21
- "Wee Rule" (1988) UK #6
- "Soulmate" (1988) UK #45
- "Blow the House Down" (1989) UK #65
- "Get in the Groove" (1990)
- "The Bump" (1990)
- "Best of My Love" (1991)
- "Wee are the Girls" (1992)
- "Wherever You Go" (1994)
