HIP POP

Whilst i was very much a Pop kid as a youngster, "Pop" meant just about anything in the Top 40. I was aware of the terms describing different genres of music, but they meant little to me: if i liked it that was all that mattered. Around the time that music became a more serious interest for me rap and hip hop were ingredients in the minestrone that was the single chart, and whilst i was never a huge fan of either style the occasional song would grab my attention. The more aggressive styles of either music weren't to my taste,  but the more melodic, jazzy likes of De La Soul and Monie Love definitely were. Added to this were UK hip hop acts like Neneh Cherry and Cookie Crew, who both joined my ever growing collection of 45's. In fact, i seem to have bought singles by three of the four mentioned artists in consecutive weeks: Cookie Crews' Edwin Starr-sampling "Got To Keep On", Neneh Cherry's "Manchild", and Monie Loves' "Grandpa's Party" (a tribute to the godfather of hip hop, Afrika Bambaata), the last one provoking some hilarity amongst the record shop staff upon my request for said song. I still like these little heard gems now, and the recent reruns of Top Of The Pops 1989 shows has hopefully dusted them off for others.