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#HipHop Living #Legend Spotlight @KurtisBlow1
The Kurtis Blow is one of those names in hip-hop that when it’s mentioned, everyone just sort of pauses in homage. Even the 80’s babies know the name even if they can’t pin point exactly why they know it. So for those who are unfamiliar (especially new comers in hip-hop), class is in session.
“In 1979, Kurtis Blow signed a deal with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. His album Christmas Rappin’ sold more than 400,000 copies. His follow-up album, The Breaks, went gold. He went on to release 10 albums over the next 11 years and also produced albums. Blow became an ordained minister in 2009 and founded Hip Hop Ministry.” (http://www.biography.com/people/kurtis-blow-5444) How many times have you said or heard someone say,”these are the breaks” or “those are the breaks” and they almost always do it with a shoulder shimmy and a tune? How many of you instantly think of Nas when someone mentions the song title “If I ruled the world”? Now you’ll know exactly where they came from if you didn’t before.
Rapper and producer Kurtis Walker on August 9, 1959, in Harlem, New York. Blow got his first practice as a DJ in grade school, mingling with guests at his mother’s parties to take their music requests. By the time he was 13, he had a fake ID and was sneaking into New York City clubs to hear DJs spin their tracks.
In 1975, Kurtis Blow enrolled in Harlem’s High School of Music and Art, but was kicked out for selling marijuana. He transferred to another high school, where he was soon caught selling the psychedelic drug PCP. Recognizing Blow’s intelligence, the dean gave Blow the chance to test for his General Equivalency Degree as an alternative to expulsion. Blow passed, and went on to study at New York’s City College.
In 1979, Blow signed a deal with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. His album Christmas Rappin’ sold more than 400,000 copies. His follow-up album, The Breaks, went gold, led by its iconic title track: “Brakes on a bus, brakes on a car, breaks to make you a superstar.”
Blow was soon officially a superstar as well. He went on to release 10 albums over the next 11 years. This included 1985’s America, featuring the song “If I Ruled the World.” The song cracked the Top 5 on the Billboard charts on first release, and returned (in sample form) a decade later when Nas’s version debuted at No. 1. Blow also produced albums for artists like The Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Russell Simmons and Wyclef Jean. His influence on hip-hop was so profound that rapper Run of the seminal trio Run-D.M.C. initially called himself the “Son of Kurtis Blow” when just starting his career.
As his rap career progressed, Blow—a devout Christian—made a commitment to himself to keep his lyrics family-friendly. “I’ve recorded over two hundred songs and I have never used a profanity and I always thought that was just me trying to have some dignity, some integrity,” Blow said. “I knew that in order for this thing [hip-hop] to last and spread all around the world, it had to be wholesome, it had to be something that families could listen to, something people could play for their kid, something you could sing in church and I can sing all my songs in church.” Blow’s songs include “Magic Words,” a track recorded with a children’s rap group about the importance of saying “please” and “thank you.”
Kurtis Blow’s faith eventually led him to a new career, when he found himself reading the Bible and unable to put the book away. “I got to the last book in the Bible, Revelations, and it’s sort of like a prophecy. And I said I’d better get my act together before all this stuff starts to happen.” Blow became an ordained minister in 2009 and founded Hip Hop Ministry, a movement that incorporates rap into worship.
Besides recording, producing and hosting radio shows, Blow speaks out on behalf of a variety of causes. He coordinated the recording of the song “King Holiday” in tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr. He also campaigns against racism and drug use. He will always be credited as one of the biggest influences on rap music. “Rappin’ is totally ours—nothing can take it away,” Blow said in 1980, when rap was still in its infancy. “It’s kinda what we are giving to ourselves.” Kurtis Blow. (2015). The Biography.com website. Retrieved 09:12, Aug 10, 2015, from http://www.biography.com/people/kurtis-blow-5444.
Discography Info: http://www.discogs.com/artist/13151-Kurtis-Blow
Be sure to check out & support his latest project, “Hip Hop Church, Volume 3” now available on iTunes!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hip-hop-church-vol.-3/id1028368263 …
@mslaurynhill “Neurotic Society” hits iTunes
As part of her new venture with Sony, Ms. Lauryn Hill returns with the new song “Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix),” which quietly hit iTunes on Saturday via her label Obverse Creation Music/Sony ATV. The outspoken Fugees frontwoman raps about “toxic society” and the perils of the industry on the four-minute track. She was “required” to release the song now due to her financial troubles (She is scheduled to be sentenced for tax evasion on May 6).
“Here is a link to a piece that I was ‘required’ to release immediately, by virtue of the impending legal deadline,” writes Ms. Hill.
“I love being able to reach people directly, but in an ideal scenario, I would not have to rush the release of new music… but the message is still there.”
The song is especially poignant in the days following the tragic death of Kris Kross member Chris Kelly. “In light of Wednesday’s tragic loss (of former label mate Chris Kelly), I am even more pressed to YELL this to a multitude that may not understand the cost of allowing today’s unhealthy paradigms to remain unchecked!” she explains.
SOURCE: Thrilla.info
Now Fam… You know I wouldn’t be QTP if I didn’t add my 2 cents. I was reading some of the reviews and controversy surrounding this track I’m not going to repeat them. Why? Simple. Lauryn Hill is one of the greatest {if not thee greatest} female emcee to ever touch a microphone. PERIOD. If you have ever heard her music and in no way shape or form did it make you think? Clearly you’re just not that smart so I won’t waste my own time trying to explain the gift this woman has to folks that are not in a place in their own life to even grasp what she talks about. Everybody has that one artist they get personally riled up over… LOL She’s mine. Don’t talk about Lauryn, I won’t listen. Ever. Her music impacted my life and in my opinion {and not for nothing, on my blog, mine is the only one that matters with all due respect} she is STILL Queen.
Be Blessed-
QTP
SUPPORT ON ITUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/neurotic-society-compulsory/id644961710
WATCH ON UTUBE : http://youtu.be/Asa-IXQywMA
QueenTheProphet.com 