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Kurtis Blow

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Curtis “Kurtis Blow” Walker, (born on August 9, 1959, in Harlem, New York) is one of the pioneer rappers in the recording industry, and hip hop’s first mainstream star. “The Breaks” (1980) is one of hip hop’s undisputed classics, with its catchy disco tune and rapping style. Blow was influenced by DJ Hollywood.

He became an MC in his own right around 1977, and changed his name to Kurtis Blow (as in a body blow) at the suggestion of his manager, future rap mogul Russell Simmons. Blow began his career in New York City in the mid-1970s, when he was a breakdancer until switching to DJing under the name Kool DJ Kurt and then finally rapping. He was the first rapper to record a full length album on a major label (1979). This occurred after recording “Christmas Rappin”, his first single; during this time, “Rapper’s 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. In 1980 he opened for reggae legend Bob Marley at the Madison Square Garden where he performed for an audience of 20,000.

He has appeared in several feature films, including Krush Groove and The Show. A duet with rock icon Bob Dylan called “Street Rock”, appeared on Blow’s 1986 album, Kingdom Blow[1] by special arrangement of Wayne Garfield (Garfield and Blow co-wrote, “Reasons For Wanting You” on Kingdom Blow)[2] and Debra Byrd, American Idol’s head vocal coach and former Dylan backup singer (see album credits).

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hip-hop, rap, old school, hip hop, 80s
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Top Tracks

1	Christmas Rappin' full track	1,810
2	The Breaks	784
3	Basketball full track	132
4	christmas rappin	75
5	If I Ruled The World full track	72
6	The Breaks (Re-Recorded / Remastered) full track	48
7	Hard Times full track	42
8	Party Time full track	31
9	Starlife full track	28
9	Tough full track	28
11	Aj Scratch full track	27
12	8 Million Stories full track	24
13	Throughout Your Years full track	20
14	Daydreamin' full track	19
15	The Breaks (Part 1)	18

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vjsupersaint wrote:
November 2009

Come join us at Unsigned Christmas. A group designed for raising awareness of new artists taking Christmas & all music into a new decade. The Unsigned Christmas album has the top tunes to be heard this Christmas. http://www.last.fm/group/Unsigned+Christmas

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AjLoffDisGejm wrote:
October 2009

These are the breaks !!

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thejokerhstnlv wrote:
October 2009

Classic!

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girugammesh wrote:
July 2009

lol, he is a preacher now.

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Tigerboyce wrote:
May 2009

Breaks on a bus brakes on a car, Breaks to make you a superstar, Breaks to win and breaks to lose, But these here breaks will rock your shoes

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FiyahG wrote:
April 2009

clap yo hands everybody!

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Heike-Dedke wrote:
April 2009

Klasse! Bester Jahrgang

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Sted-Milano wrote:
March 2009

R35P3C7

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BurntFingers wrote:
February 2009

thats the breaks! thats the breaks!

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benthepirate wrote:
January 2009

break it up break it up break it up

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theoryjean wrote:
January 2009

so old school

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Kamilv333 wrote:
November 2008

He's amazing!

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Andre91195 wrote:
November 2008

Learn your roots son.

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ARNOLDLEFTY wrote:
November 2008

SIMON JAMON!!

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_tsk_ wrote:
November 2008

Kurtis Flows!

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MusicGeneration wrote:
November 2008

Its Like A Jungle Sometimes ! Respect

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BassheadT wrote:
October 2008

Kay you Are Ti I eS Bi eL O Double-you, whatcha wanna do? i bought my first vinyl back in 1983/84. Name of Album: Egotrip - still my fav of all time ever Under Fire, Basketball, 8 mio. Stories, AJ Scratch, If i rule the World, Hello Baby... THANK YOU Kurtis Blow THANK YOU

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gaby_andrea2500 wrote:
October 2008

Love it

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the_flava wrote:
August 2008

haha funky

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g5r2e7g6 wrote:
August 2008

on time

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briantrjpper32 added Kurtis Blow to briantrjpper32’s library. yesterday evening
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