Hip Hop Holiday

"Hip Hop Holiday" is the debut single from New Zealand hip hop group 3 The Hard Way. It reached #1 in the New Zealand singles chart and #17 in Australia. A mid-song reggae breakdown was provided by Bobbylon of the Hallelujah Picassos.

"Hip Hop Holiday"
Single by 3 The Hard Way
from the album Old School Prankstas
B-side	"Get Down"
Released	1994
Recorded	Revolver Studios, Auckland, 1994
Genre	Hip hop
Length	3:39
Label	Deepgrooves Entertainment
Songwriter(s)	Chris Ma'ia'i, Lance Manuel, Mike Paton, Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman
Producer(s)	Angus McNaughton, Hang 'Em High Productions
3 The Hard Way singles chronology
"Hip Hop Holiday" (1994) "Many Rivers" (1994)

Background

The song was built around a substantial interpolation of "Dreadlock Holiday" by 10cc.^[1] However, the rights were never cleared, resulting in the song being officially credited to "Dreadlock Holiday" songwriters Eric Stewart, Graham Gouldman, with all royalties going to the pair.^[2]

The success of the song in New Zealand and Australia led to extensive touring of both countries and the recording and release of band's debut album, Old School Prankstas^[3]

"Hip Hop Holiday" was nominated for Single of the Year at the 1995 New Zealand Music Awards.^[4]

Music video

A music video was made for "Hip Hop Holiday", directed by Clinton Phillips. The video was filmed in Auckland, New Zealand and features the group driving around the city in a convertible and hosting a house party in suburban Auckland.^[5]

Track listings

CD single (DG016, D11633)

1. "Hip Hop Holiday" (Radio Mix) - feat Bobbylon
2. "Get Down" (First Up Mix)
3. "Hip Hop Holiday" (Freestyle Mix)
4. "Get Down" (Extended Mix)

Charts

"Hip Hop Holiday" was the first hip hop song by a New Zealand artist to reach #1 in the New Zealand charts. The song was also certified gold in New Zealand.^[3]

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Hip Hop Holiday" Chart (1994) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[6] 17 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[7] 1

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Hip Hop Holiday" Chart (1994) Position New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[8] 24

References

1. "3 the Hard Way feat. Bobbylon". Who Sampled. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
2. "The Number One Hits: 1990-1999". Audio Culture. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
3. "Hiphop Holiday!". Dub Dot Dash. 27 July 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
4. "1995 Winners". NZ Music Awards. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
5. "3 THE HARD WAY. HIP HOP HOLIDAY". Film Archive. Archived from the original on 2 November 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
6. "3 The Hard Way – Hip Hop Holiday". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
7. "3 The Hard Way – Hip Hop Holiday". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 31 October 2013.
8. "End of Year Charts 1994". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 3, 2017.

External links

• "Hip Hop Holiday" at Discogs
• "Hip Hop Holiday" music video