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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).
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).
Top Albums
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The Best Of Kurtis Blow
Kurtis Blow
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Kurtis Blow
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Mercury
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Kingdom Blow
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Top Tracks
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The Breaks
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| 2 |
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Basketball
full track
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| 3 |
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Christmas Rappin'
full track
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| 4 |
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If I Ruled The World
full track
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| 5 |
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Hard Times
full track
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| 6 |
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8 Million Stories
full track
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| 6 |
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The Breaks (Re-Recorded / Remastered)
full track
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| 8 |
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Party Time
full track
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| 9 |
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Tough
full track
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| 10 |
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Aj Scratch
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| 10 |
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Throughout Your Years
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| 12 |
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Starlife
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| 13 |
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Daydreamin'
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| 14 |
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I'm Chillin'
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Shoutbox
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vjsupersaint wrote:
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:
These are the breaks !!
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thejokerhstnlv wrote:
Classic!
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girugammesh wrote:
lol, he is a preacher now.
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Tigerboyce wrote:
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:
clap yo hands everybody!
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Heike-Dedke wrote:
Klasse! Bester Jahrgang
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Sted-Milano wrote:
R35P3C7
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BurntFingers wrote:
thats the breaks! thats the breaks!
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benthepirate wrote:
break it up break it up break it up
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theoryjean wrote:
so old school
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Kamilv333 wrote:
He's amazing!
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Andre91195 wrote:
Learn your roots son.
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ARNOLDLEFTY wrote:
SIMON JAMON!!
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_tsk_ wrote:
Kurtis Flows!
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MusicGeneration wrote:
Its Like A Jungle Sometimes ! Respect
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BassheadT wrote:
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:
Love it
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the_flava wrote:
haha funky
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g5r2e7g6 wrote:
on time
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Recent Activity
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