07/12/2024
The Wee Papa Girl Rappers were a British female rap duo consisting of sisters Sandra (Total S) and Samantha Lawrence (Ty Tim). They emerged in the late 1980s and quickly made a mark on the music scene as rap pioneers with their unique blend of pop, hip hop, reggae, acid house and techno.
Sandra and Samantha Lawrence were born in London, England, to parents of Caribbean descent. Their father hailed from Saint Lucia, and the duo’s name, “Wee Papa,” is derived from the Saint Lucia French Creole expression “Oui Papa”.
The Lawrence sisters began their career as backup vocalists for Feargal Sharkey. After signing with Jive Records, they enjoyed a brief period of success, releasing 11 singles and 2 albums between 1987 and 1994.
Their biggest chart success came with “Wee Rule,” which charted across Europe in 1988 reaching number 6 in the UK, 17 in New Zealand and number 1 in Belgium. Another hit, “Heat It Up,” peaked at number 21 that same year and was co-written and produced by Andy Cox and Dave Steele of Fine Young Cannibals.
The duo released two albums, “The Beat, the Rhyme, the Noise” (1988) and “Be Aware” (1990), featuring productions from notable names like Jeremy Healy, Teddy Riley, Dancing Danny D, Mr. Lee, and Coldcut, among others.
The Wee Papa Girl Rappers were among notable UK counterparts such as Monie Love, Cookie Crew, Rebel MC, The Beatmasters, and Betty Boo, who were all achieving success in the acid house and hip house genres. These artists collectively contributed to the vibrant and evolving music scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s, blending genres to create a distinctive and influential sound.
Samantha Lawrence, one half of the hip-hop duo, passed away peacefully in London on 1 December 2024, after a secondary cancer diagnosis. She was 55,