“He’s Doin a New Thing” The Kurtis Blow story

November 5th, 2008

Kurtis Blow, one of the founders and creators of recorded rap, stands as an emerging leader in a new generation of rappers with street sense, social criticism, and commercial savvy, a timeless artist and hip hop legend, Kurtis Blow has been instrumental in raising up a generation of MC’s, and he will soon carry the torch for hip hop music into new arenas.

In 1979, at the age of twenty, Kurtis Blow became the first Rapper to be signed by a major label. Mercury released “Christmas Rappin,” and it sold over 400,000 copies and it became an annual classic. Its gold follow‑up “The Breaks” helped ignite a still‑spreading international “Rap Attack.” He released 10 Albums over 11 years — The first entitled “Kurtis Blow”, his full length debut and his second, a Top 50 Pop Album “Deuce,” a big hit across Europe; “Party Time” which featured a pioneering fusion of Rap and Go‑Go; “EgoTrip,” which includes the hits “8Million Stories”, “AJ”, and “Basketball” and in 1985, “America.”“ America”’s video innovation received a MTV Monitor Award. From this album, the song “If I Ruled the World” became a top 5 hit on Billboard’s R & B chart. Columbia/Sony recording artist Nas debuted at # 1 on the Billboard’s Pop Album chart with a cover of the song in 1997.

He was honored to coordinate “King Holiday”, along with Dexter Scott King, a song to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s Birthday. The Mercury/Polygram single co‑produced by Kurtis Blow includes the collaborative efforts of Whitney Houston, New Edition, Stephanie Mills, El Debarge, James “JT” Taylor of Kool & the Gang, The Fat Boys and Run DMC among others. It has become an annual Holiday Classic.

Besides his own work, Kurtis has been responsible for Rap hits by The Fat Boys and Run DMC. Run began his career billed as “The son of Kurtis Blow.” Love Bug Starski, Sweet Gee, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Full Force, Russell Simmons and Wyclef Jean all have been produced or have worked with Blow in the past. Additionally former label mates Rene & Angela had their chart topping debut “Save Your Love for # 1” gift wrapped by Kurtis Blow.

Kurtis Blow’s acting performances and music coordination in several movies including Leon Kennedy’s “Cry of the City” and the hit film “Krush Groove” has won him continual praise. The New York Daily News called his cinematic works “Noteworthy, A Dynamic Presence.” As host and co‑producer for “Das Leben Amerikanischer Gangs” an international film production’s focus on the West Coast gang scene, Kurtis Blow crossed international waters for inner city justice (1995). As host and associate producer for “Rhyme and Reason” a Miramax film, KB gives an informative account of the present status of Hip‑Hop (1998).

Kurtis Blow speaks out emphatically against racism. His raps, with cinematic sensibilities, open the world’s eyes and ears to inner city truth as much as they celebrate the purer pleasure of modern living. He was also an active participant in the blistering Artist Against Apartheid Record “ Sun City.” Kurtis Blow speaks out emphatically against Alcohol and Drugs. Kurtis’ innate ability to reach people is also evident in his selection as spokesperson for The National Ad Counsel. He is an integral part of its youth campaign and can be seen and heard in print, radio and television nationwide as the first to “Say No To Drugs.” He has also been involved with Phoenix House of California, a substance abuse organization with Black community emphasis.

In 1995 Kurtis Blow started working on-air in radio. Power 106, the # I CHR. Radio station in Southern California has Kurtis Blow on-air Sunday nights with The Old School Show, a highly rated specialty show that features Blow playing the hits from the past.

In 1996 Kurtis Blow was inducted into the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame. In 1998 the group Next released “Too Close,” in which the music of “Christmas Rap” was sampled for the #1 pop songs background track. “Too Close” was the longest running #1 song of 1998 for Billboards Pop Chart. ASCAP honored Blow and Next at a gala affair on May 26, 1999.

Here are many of the firsts credited to Kurtis Blow:

- First rapper to sign to a Major label
- First certified gold record for rap (“The Breaks”)
- First rapper to tour US & Europe (w/ The Commodores, 1980)
- First rapper to record a national commercial (Sprite)
- First rapper to use the sample loop
- First rap music video (“Basketball”)
- First rap producer (Rap’s producer of the year in 1983‑85)
- First rapper featured in a soap opera (“One Life to Live”)

Kurtis Blow is back to his old groundbreaking ways, and he wants to make you (and the youth of America) a true believer! Forget those tired old stuffy church services with yawn-inducing sermons and lovely but tired old hymns, and get on your feet! As the host, DJ, MC and worship leader of “Hip Hop Church America,” his mission is to make the worship experience exciting for parishioners of all ages, spreading the gospel every week with high-spirited beats, lively sing-along praise choruses and an hour of toe-tappin’ hallelujahs!

Based on a weekly service Blow has been hosting and MCing for several years at Hood Memorial Church in Harlem, “Hip Hop Church America” is a new weekly series currently being developed by The Machine Productions, a multimedia entertainment company that is producing positive audio and visual entertainment. The show is aimed directly at the MTV generation but is extending its appeal to parents and grandparents whose passion for God seeks an explosive new outlet. The show blends rhythm, song and praise into 60 minutes of clap-along inspiration.

“Hip Hop Church America” begins with a lively processional down the aisle, featuring hip-hop music, breakdancing and a youthful and exuberant choir, which performs behind a new guest artist each week. While working the DJ booth in Harlem, Blow will act as anchor for feeds from a variety of other hip-hop churches across America, including large, packed sanctuaries in Nashville, Philadelphia, Louisville and Los Angeles. Throughout the lively, fast-paced hour, different segments will air from each of the participating churches. Every week on “Hip Hop Church America,” the pastors at each participating church will add a short message geared specifically to the young people. They will be encouraged to do well in school, participate in sports and will be rewarded for their individual accomplishments.

For more information, visit www.themachineproductions.com or you can email Kurtis Blow at: KBlow@hiphopchurch.org

Portions of this article were written by 2005 Luke 4:18 Ministries Inc., and “Curtis Blows” Hip-Hop Church America.Internet. Retrieved 26 August 2008.

For more information, visit www.themachineproductions.com.

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