Hip Hop Be Bop

Established in 1983, Family Quest were one of the earliest UK rap groups but had only ever featured on 1984’s “Outer Space ’84 Rap” by Automation. The group, consisiting of Dirty Harry (Harry Norbert), E=Mix (Ian Akal), Cheeko MC aka Daddy Hip Hop (Philip Sawh) & Mystery (Michelle Devitt), were regular hosts alongside Tim Westwood & DJ Fingers at Spats club in London’s Oxford Street on a Saturday afternoon.

In 1986 they entered a “King Of The Streets” competition on Mike Allen’s Capital Radio show and won. Their demo won first prize and they were awarded the opportunity to release a single on Morgan Khan’s Streetwave label. ‘Sleepwalking’ was produced by, amongst others, David Toop, author of the classic early 1980’s hip hop book Rap Attack.

They went on to feature in the cult British hip hop show, Electro Rock aka Hip Hop At The Hippodrome, hosted by Mike Allen, and were the only UK act to appear on stage at the legendary hip hop show UK Fresh 86 at Wembley Arena and appear on the accompanying Street Sounds Electro 13 album.