kurtis blow
brought up in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, first signed by Mercury Records in 1979
Members
Kurtis Walker
hip hop hits
Christmas Rappin’ - 1979
Our kurtis blow picks of the ‘70s and ‘80s
Christmas Rappin’ - 1979
The first single from the first solo rapper signed to a major label. 1 of the 2 songs that he needed to be a hit before Mercury Records would give him an album. Is 400,000 copies enough for you to see there’s a market for rap Mercury Records?
The Breaks - 1980
A great rap that gets stuck in your head for days! Also the 2nd of two songs needed for his album deal. Selling over 500,000 copies it is the first certified gold record rap song. Here’s comes your album!
Nervous - 1983
One of his songs you may not have heard as much as his others but it’s one of Hip Hop Electronics favs. A rare electro track in the era of 808s and breakbeats.
America - 1985
A slightly mellower sound of Kurtis Blow but it doesn’t disappoint. The video entertains with bits of history, scratching, Reagan being remixed and Kurtis seemingly being able to see the future.
Do you know this about kurtis blow?
Kurtis Blow was born Kurtis Walker on August 9, 1959.
He is the first solo rapper signed to a major label.
He is a minister and performs "Holy Hip Hop".
His song "The Breaks" is the first Hip Hop gold record.
Kurtis Blow has put out more than 15 albums.
He was first noticed by a famous radio DJ that heard “Christmas Rappin’” getting lots of positive attention at a club. Unbeknownst to the radio DJ Kurtis had got the club DJ to play it while he also had heaps of his friends and peers act like it was already a big hit.
He was an actor and music coordinator in Leon Kennedy's "Knights of the City" and the hip hop film Krush Groove.
Nas's 1996 version of Kurtis Blow's "If I Ruled The World" went double platinum.