The Breaks
Kurtis Blow, born Kurtis Walker, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, b-boy, and DJ. Often he is referred to as the first commercially successful rapper and the first to sign with a major record label. "The Breaks," a single from 1980, is the first rap song that earned a status of a "gold record." Throughout his career, he has released 15 LPs and more than 50 EP's.
Kurtis Blow started his career in 1979, signing for the major label "Mercury," which released his singles "Rappin' Blow" and "Christmas Rappin." His second EP, "Christmas Rappin'," was the first commercially successful hip hop single sold in over 400 000 copies worldwide. "The Breaks" was released as a single, and it was included in the album "Kurtis Blow." Both album and single were released on various divisions of the label "Mercury" in the US, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, Greece, South Africa, Italy, Brazil, Netherlands, Canada, Argentina, Peru, Portugal, Uruguay, Jamaica, New Zeland, Panama, and Guatemala. The record was sold in more than 500 000 copies.
"The Breaks" was quite a success for Kurtis. It was charted on #87 on the US Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the US Billboard R&B chart, and #9 on the US Billboard dance chart.
Unlike most hip-hop songs that sampled various funk songs, the funk beat in "The Breaks" is original, contrary to speculations that it sampled "Long Train Runnin'" by The Doobie Brothers.
The concept creation is a tribute to all the breakers in the South Bronx, Harlem, and surrounding areas back in the first days of hip-hop.
The song was written by Kurtis Walker, Larry Smith, and Russell Simmons and was produced by J.B. Moore and Robert Ford Jr.
The lyrics "Just do it" that appear during the 5th minute of the song were sampled from Sugar Hill's "Rappers Delight."
"The Breaks" was also sampled many times by various hip-hop artists and more than 120 official releases. Artists sampled different parts of the song, instrumental, and vocals like Timbaland, De La Soul, Redman, Coldcut, Snoop Dogg, Jazzy Jeff, etc.
"The Breaks" is an appealing song that's freshness, blazed new ground. The disco vibes, coupled with the crowd revving raps, make for a convincing call to the dance floor. This record reflects history into urban culture, giving outsiders a glimpse into what's happening musically within the concrete jungle.
Harlem-born rapper Kurtis Blow forever changed the course of hip-hop with the release of "The Breaks."
It is a track for the history books, which has influenced many artists, not just in the hip-hop genre. It is an iconic hip-hop dance track that will make you dance, break or bask in the pure funk and percussion breaks.
A young artist from Harlem, Kurtis found himself performing for thousands worldwide, and underground hip-hop communities still dance to and reflect fondly upon his music.