Kurtis Blow, (born Curtis Walker on August 9, 1959), is one of the most influential early rappers and hip hop's first mainstream star. "The Breaks" (1979) is one of hip hop's undisputed classics (basically a catchy disco tune with rapping) and Nas made a new version of Blow's "If I Ruled The World". He was influenced by DJ Hollywood. Bob Dylan appeared on Kurtis Blow's 1986 album "Kingdom Blow".

Blow began his career in New York in the mid-1970s, when he was a breakdancer until switching to DJing and then rapping. He was the first rapper to record a full lengh album on a major label (1980). This occurred after recording "Christmas Rappin", his first single; during this time, "Rappers Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang became the first hit for hip hop. The whole field was derided as a fad, though, and thus there was much resistance to signing Blow.

He has appeared in the films Krush Groove and The Show .

Discography

• 1980 Kurtis Blow (Mercury)
• 1981 Deuce
• 1982 Tough
• 1983 Party Time (EP)
• 1984 Ego Trip
• 1984 Rapper in Town
• 1985 America
• 1986 Kingdom Blow
• 1988 Back by Popular Demand

External links

• lyrics