Wee Papa Girl Rappers

Wee Papa Girl Rappers
OriginLondon, England
GenresPop, hip hop, reggae
InstrumentVocals
Years active1987–1994
LabelsJive Records
Past membersSandra Lawrence
Samantha Lawrence

Wee Papa Girl Rappers were a British female rap duo, that found chart success in the late 1980s. They were sisters Sandra and Samantha Lawrence aka Total S and TY Tim, born four years apart, with Total S being the elder

Overview

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Before being signed to Jive Records, the two sisters were backing singers for Feargal Sharkey. Sandra Lawrence (aka Total S) and Samantha Lawrence (aka TY Tim) are best remembered for the single "Wee Rule" – more inspired by reggae and dancehall than rap/hip hop[1] – which reached number 6 on the UK Singles Chart in October 1988.[2] Another of their singles, "Heat it Up" featuring 2 Men and a Drum Machine,[1] reached number 21 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1988.[3] It also featured an acid house/techno style remix from Inner City's Kevin Saunderson. They released two albums on Jive Records before first splitting up in early 1991.[1] A later reincarnation as The Wee Papas saw limited returns.

The duo got their name "Wee Papa" from the Saint Lucia French Creole expression "Oui Papa", which their father frequently uttered.[1] Their father hailed from the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.

Wee Papa Girl Rappers also worked with Greek singer, Michalis Rakintzis.

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of studio albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
[4]
NZ
[4]
The Beat, the Rhyme, the Noise 39 39
Be Aware[1]
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: Profile
  • Formats: CD, LP, Cassette
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

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Year Single Peak positions Album
UK
[5]
IRE NED BEL
(FLA)
GER
[6]
AUT SWI SWE NZ
1987 "Rock the Clock" Single only
1988 "Faith" 60 11 14 The Beat, the Rhyme, the Noise
"Heat It Up" (featuring 2 Men and a Drum Machine) 21 15 28
"Wee Rule" 6 4 2 1 10 12 4 13 17
"Soulmate" 45 25 30
1989 "Blow the House Down" 65
1990 "Get in the Groove" 27 24 Be Aware
"The Bump"
1991 "Best of My Love"
1992 "Wee Are the Girls" (as The Wee Papas) Singles only
1994 "Wherever You Go" (as The Wee Papas)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Colin Larkin, ed. (1998). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Dance Music (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 364. ISBN 0-7535-0252-6.
  2. ^ "Discog's Wee Papa Girl Rappers page". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 March 2008.
  3. ^ "Artists". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Monie Love in UK Albums Chart". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Official Charts Company: Wee Papa Girl Rappers". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Wee Papa Girl Rappers – German Chart". Charts.de. Retrieved 3 April 2014.[dead link]
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