If you grew up in the late eighties or early nineties, you probably have a very specific memory of the ABC rap song. No, I’m not talking about a nursery rhyme or some Cocomelon-style educational track designed to keep toddlers quiet during a long car ride. I’m talking about "A.B.C." by Another Bad Creation. It was 1991. The track was everywhere. It hit number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, which, if you think about the competition at the time—Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Color Me Badd—was a massive achievement for a group of kids who weren't even old enough to drive.
It’s easy to dismiss it now as a "gimmick" track. That’s what people usually do with kid groups. But honestly? That’s a mistake. When you look at the DNA of the ABC rap song, you’re actually looking at the intersection of New Jack Swing, the rise of the "New Edition" blueprint, and the moment hip-hop became truly cross-generational. Michael Bivins (of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe fame) didn't just stumble onto this. He engineered a sound that felt dangerous enough for the playground but safe enough for the radio.
The Motownphilly Connection You Probably Forgot
Most people remember Another Bad Creation as the "little brothers" of Boyz II Men. They were both part of the Biv 10 Records stable. But while Boyz II Men was all about those smooth, soulful harmonies, the ABC rap song was something else entirely. It was gritty in a "suburban kid" kind of way. It featured the "East Coast Family" and basically served as a hype track for an entire movement.
The song’s beat is a masterpiece of early 90s production. It’s got that heavy, swing-beat percussion that defined the era. If you listen closely to the lyrics, it isn't just about the alphabet. It’s a boast track. They were kids, sure, but they were rapping about being "the baddest" in the game. "A is for Another, B is for Bad, C is for Creation." It’s simple. It’s effective. It’s branding 101.
Dallas Austin, the legendary producer behind TLC and Monica, was the man in the booth for this. That’s why the song doesn't sound dated in the same way other "kid rap" from 1991 does. It has a professional sheen. It has bounce. It’s a time capsule of the Atlanta sound before Atlanta became the undisputed capital of the rap world.
Why the ABC Rap Song Still Hits (Sorta)
Nostalgia is a powerful drug. But nostalgia aside, why does this track still pop up on "90s Throwback" playlists?
It’s the energy.
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The ABC rap song captures a very specific type of youthful arrogance. They weren't trying to be "lil" versions of adult rappers. They were their own thing. Look at the music video. The braids, the oversized hoodies, the Timberland boots—they influenced a generation of kids' fashion.
What People Get Wrong About the "Kid Rap" Label
A lot of critics at the time lumped Another Bad Creation in with Kris Kross. They were the "other" kids. But Kris Kross had the "Jump" gimmick with the backward clothes. Another Bad Creation was more grounded in the R&B-hip-hop fusion. They were part of a legacy.
- They represented the "East Coast Family" (Bivins' collective).
- They bridged the gap between the Jackson 5 and the teen idols of the 2000s.
- They proved that 10-year-olds could sell platinum records without being "cute" in a Disney way.
The lyrics in the ABC rap song actually contain a lot of cultural markers. They mention "the park," they talk about the "crew," and they lean heavily into the New York/Philly/Atlanta urban aesthetic. It wasn't manufactured by people who didn't understand the culture. It was manufactured by people who were the culture.
The Secret Ingredient: The Bivins Effect
You can't talk about the ABC rap song without talking about Michael Bivins. The man is a mogul. He saw the void left by New Edition growing up. He knew that the market for pre-teen music was massive, but he also knew those kids didn't want to be talked down to. They wanted to feel cool.
He gave them a track that sounded like it could be played in a club, even if the lyrics were G-rated. That’s the trick. You make the kids feel like they’re part of the adult world. It’s the same thing that made Stranger Things a hit decades later. It’s about that feeling of being on the edge of growing up.
Does It Hold Up Under Modern Scrutiny?
If you play the ABC rap song today, you’ll notice a few things. First, the rapping is actually quite rhythmic. They aren't just reciting lines; they have a flow. Second, the production is surprisingly layered. There are synth stabs and vocal samples that you’d hear in much more "serious" rap records of the time.
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However, we have to admit it: the "Iesha" references and the general 1991 slang can feel a bit like a dusty yearbook photo. But that’s the charm. It’s a document of a world before the internet, where a catchy hook and a heavy beat could make you a superstar overnight.
Tracking the Influence
If you look at the lineage of boy bands and teen rappers, the ABC rap song is a foundational stone. Without them, do we get Bow Wow? Do we get B2K? Do we even get the early days of Justin Bieber? Probably not. They proved the business model. They showed that you could market hip-hop to the middle-school demographic and make millions.
It wasn't just a song. It was a proof of concept.
The Weird Trivia Most People Miss
Here is a fun fact: The members of Another Bad Creation (Red, L.B., Slim, G.A., and RoRo) weren't just random kids. Some of them were discovered at a talent show in Atlanta, which was basically the "Old Hollywood" way of making it. No TikTok. No SoundCloud. Just raw talent and the right scout in the audience.
And let's talk about the remix. The ABC rap song had several versions, including ones that leaned even harder into the New Jack Swing elements. If you can find the 12-inch vinyl versions, the dub mixes are actually legitimately good house-adjacent tracks.
How to Appreciate This Today
If you want to dive back into this world, don't just listen to the radio edit. Look for the "Coolin' at the Playground Ya Know!" album. It’s a weird, fascinating mix of pop-rap and R&B. You’ll hear the influence of Bell Biv DeVoe on almost every track.
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- Listen for the "swing" in the drums.
- Check out the fashion in the videos (seriously, the hats were a choice).
- Compare the flow to other 1991 tracks like "O.P.P." or "Summertime."
The reality is that the ABC rap song survived because it was fun. In an era where rap was becoming increasingly political (Public Enemy) or increasingly "hard" (N.W.A.), Another Bad Creation reminded everyone that it could also just be about having a good time at the park.
Actionable Steps for the Nostalgia Hunter
If you're looking to reconnect with this era or explain it to someone who wasn't there, start by watching the "A.B.C." music video on a high-quality platform. Pay attention to the choreography; it's a perfect example of the "running man" era of hip-hop dance.
Next, check out the "Motownphilly" video by Boyz II Men. You’ll see the Another Bad Creation kids making a cameo. It helps you see the "family" aspect of the Biv 10 label. It gives the song context beyond just being a catchy tune.
Finally, try to find the "Biv 10 Remix" of their tracks. These often featured different verses and more aggressive production that shows what the group could have become if they had transitioned into adult rap. It’s a fascinating "what if" in music history. They didn't stick around forever, but for one summer in 1991, they were the biggest thing on the planet.
Understand that "A.B.C." isn't just a song for kids. It was a strategic masterstroke that helped define the sound of the early nineties. It’s a lesson in branding, production, and the sheer power of a catchy hook.