Rappin' Granny facts for kids

Vivian Smallwood, also known as Rappin' Granny, was a cool American grandmother who loved to perform hip-hop music. She was born on June 18, 1933, and passed away on July 22, 2017. Vivian lived in Castaic, California, which is close to Los Angeles. Many people knew her for playing "Nano" Williams in the TV show Big Bad Beetleborgs. She also became famous when she appeared on the TV show America's Got Talent in 2006.

Rappin' Granny's Career Journey

Starting Her Rap Career

Vivian Smallwood used to work as a postal worker. She started rapping in the mid-1980s, which was a bit unusual for a granny back then! She even won a rap contest at a roller rink in Los Angeles.

In 1988, she formed a music group with her son. They called themselves "Rappin' Granny and DJ Len." That same year, she won a "Granny of the Year" contest in Pasadena, California. She performed a rap version of a famous song called "The Little Old Lady from Pasadena".

In 1989, Rappin' Granny released her own music video called "Rock-n-Soul." Later, in 1992, she signed with Tandem Records. She even released a single called "You Didn't Use Your Blinker Fool." This song was a fun reply to another popular song at the time. In 1995, a special soda was named after her: Rappin' Granny's Slammin Strawberry Hip Hop Pop!

Acting Roles on TV and Film

Besides rapping, Vivian Smallwood was also a working actress in Hollywood starting in the mid-1990s. She appeared in many TV shows and a few movies.

Some of the TV shows she was in include Everybody Hates Chris, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Shield. She also acted in movies like The Ladykillers. In the 1996 movie Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, she was even credited as Vivian 'Rappin Granny' Smallwood.

A big role for her was playing Roland Williams' grandmother, "Nano," in the show Big Bad Beetleborgs. This show was on the Fox Kids network. In 2012, she also appeared in an episode of How I Met Your Mother called "The Magician's Code: Part 1".

In 2007, Rappin' Granny was featured in a special show called the Apollo Circus of Soul at the famous Apollo Theater.

Rappin' Granny on America's Got Talent

Vivian Smallwood became very well-known when she competed on the TV show America's Got Talent in 2006. She even made it to the final round for the one-million-dollar grand prize!

During her first audition, Rappin' Granny's performance was a huge hit with the audience and the judges. All three judges, Brandy, David Hasselhoff, and Piers Morgan, voted for her to move on.

She returned for the semifinal episode and again performed a song that everyone loved. The judges once more voted for her to go to the next round. For the final show, Rappin' Granny made a grand entrance by riding in on a motorcycle! Even though she was amazing, she finished in the bottom half of the public vote.

Vivian Smallwood's Family Life

Vivian Smallwood had a large and loving family. She was a grandmother to 15 grandchildren and a great-grandmother to 9 great-grandchildren.

Her Passing

Vivian Smallwood passed away peacefully from natural causes on July 22, 2017. She was 84 years old.

Filmography