UK rapper Chip unveils four rap greats at Madame Tussauds
- 11 years ago
It's not every day you get up close to some of rap music's greatest.
But a rare photo opportunity at London's Madame Tussauds shows it's possible - with wax figures of Snoop Dogg, P Diddy and Co coming together for the first time.
And if you're a real fan like British rapper Chip, you grasp the chance and get your picture taken with Tupac.
Chip, who first rose to fame in the UK with singles "Diamond Rings" and "Oopsy Daisy", was barely six, when Tupac died in 1996 and Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G a year later.
And whilst he might have been a fan for long, Chip tells us he wasn't allowed to own any of the B.I.G.'s music for some time.
SOUNDBITE: British rapper Chip, saying (English):
"I wasn't really allowed Biggie or Tupac's music as a kid, but -- the first I think I bought Biggie Smalls 'Ready to Die' and 'Life After Death' at the same time, I bought both at an age when I was actually allowed to have them as music on my own -- yeah I bought both at the same time."
While Diddy and Co. are global household names, it's a different game for British rappers. But this has been slowly changing, thanks to the international success of fellow grime stars, including Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah.
And Chip is now hoping he will make it in the U.S. too, with his latest project, "London Boy".
SOUNDBITE: British rapper Chip, saying (English):
"Three or four years ago when I first went to the BET Hip Hop Awards in America you know the acceptance for an English guy that raps is completely different to just three four years ago, so I honestly don't know what the next five years holds, but I think if we think it's possible and it's doable, then the first part of doing is thinking so if you think it's possible then you go for it. So why shouldn't I be able to do it?"
While it may take something to replicate the success of his heroes at least Chip has an idea what it feels like to be standing next to them.
The wax rap foursome will remain in London until March 24 before they make their way back home to the States.
But a rare photo opportunity at London's Madame Tussauds shows it's possible - with wax figures of Snoop Dogg, P Diddy and Co coming together for the first time.
And if you're a real fan like British rapper Chip, you grasp the chance and get your picture taken with Tupac.
Chip, who first rose to fame in the UK with singles "Diamond Rings" and "Oopsy Daisy", was barely six, when Tupac died in 1996 and Biggie Smalls aka The Notorious B.I.G a year later.
And whilst he might have been a fan for long, Chip tells us he wasn't allowed to own any of the B.I.G.'s music for some time.
SOUNDBITE: British rapper Chip, saying (English):
"I wasn't really allowed Biggie or Tupac's music as a kid, but -- the first I think I bought Biggie Smalls 'Ready to Die' and 'Life After Death' at the same time, I bought both at an age when I was actually allowed to have them as music on my own -- yeah I bought both at the same time."
While Diddy and Co. are global household names, it's a different game for British rappers. But this has been slowly changing, thanks to the international success of fellow grime stars, including Dizzee Rascal and Tinie Tempah.
And Chip is now hoping he will make it in the U.S. too, with his latest project, "London Boy".
SOUNDBITE: British rapper Chip, saying (English):
"Three or four years ago when I first went to the BET Hip Hop Awards in America you know the acceptance for an English guy that raps is completely different to just three four years ago, so I honestly don't know what the next five years holds, but I think if we think it's possible and it's doable, then the first part of doing is thinking so if you think it's possible then you go for it. So why shouldn't I be able to do it?"
While it may take something to replicate the success of his heroes at least Chip has an idea what it feels like to be standing next to them.
The wax rap foursome will remain in London until March 24 before they make their way back home to the States.