IT'S HIP HOP, BABY

Candi Carter has a BA in Broadcast Communications from Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA. She started her television career at CNN in Atlanta, GA and later produced news specials and children's programming at WISN TV (the ABC Affiliate in Milwaukee, WI). There she won an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Programming. For the past thirteen years, she has produced award-winning television in Chicago, Illinois.  She resides there with her two children and husband of 10 years.

When Candi Carter noticed very few educational children's programs were using America's most popular genre of music to educate toddlers and preschoolers, she created "It's Hip Hop, Baby!" Now the educational DVD series has a huge following.  Meet the visionary founder (and mother of 2) who created the hottest new trend among the toddler set ...

Congratulations on “It’s Hip Hop, Baby” – what a fantastic, entertaining & educational idea!  How did you come up with it?

My son Emerson, who is now 6, was born with a rare chromosome disorder that caused a number of physical issues and a severe speech delay.  When he turned 3 my husband and I really struggled to communicate with him. I started making up songs with hip beats to distract him and it worked.  I had 15 or so songs in my cell phone and decided to take those songs and create a video where I combined educational concepts and hip music.  I realized through my son that if you put hip music with something you want children to do or learn … they master it faster because they’re having fun. All children!  It's why we sing our ABCs and we don't say them.

Some people might be surprised that Hip Hop music & dancing is more than just “play-time” for kids.  They can actually get a lot of developmental concepts through your videos.  Can you elaborate?

Absolutely.  I chose songs children know and love like “Head Shoulders Knees and Toes” to help children identify body parts and master hand/eye coordination.  We play “Hip Hop Simon Says” to help children follow simple instructions.  Hip Hop numbers helps children master the skill of counting to 10, 20 and backwards.  The children are singing and dancing and having fun and absorbing cool concepts at the same time.

You say the DVDs are for kids ages 2 to 6, but we love them, too!  Do you hear from a lot of adults that they find “It’s Hip Hop, Baby” as fun & engaging as their kids do?

Parents always tell me they love the CD because they can ride from Chicago to Michigan and actually enjoy the children’s music they’re forced to play in the car.  I’ve had two mothers tell me that.  The music and songs are contagious.  I find myself singing them all the time.

We love that your website has an active & dynamic blog.  Why was that important for you to include, rather than simply use your site to sell DVDs?

I like being a resource for moms.  I’m one of those people who can get 100 people to go to my favorite movie.  I’ll pack a party and give anyone who’ll listen my favorite bargain of the week or my new organizational secret.  It’s just who I am.  Our YouTube channel also features videos that serve as a resource for mothers.

You are a full-time, working mom with a busy career in addition to “It’s Hip Hop, Baby.”  How do you juggle everything?!  Do you ever need to put on some Hip Hop music & blow off steam in your office?

I’m a busy mom for sure, but It’s Hip Hop, Baby! is my passion. It’s what I love to do.  When I get feedback from moms telling me how much their children love “It’s Hip Hop, Baby!” it keeps me going.

And now, the question that we ask everyone … what makes you “Tasty?”

People make me “Tasty!”  I thrive on the energy of other people … and happy children like my 10-month-old and 6-year-old.  It’s not uncommon for us to blast music and dance and jump around.  Fun, excitement, smiles and energy are what make me Tasty!mpkin seed oil.