Old skool rapper: Kurtis Blow

This 1980 rap hit "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow (born Kurtis Walker) takes us back to a time when rap music was clean and fun party music. No cursing, degrading women or glorifying violence like today's rap music. Kurtis is a true pioneer, being the first rapper to be signed to a major label (Mercury). "The Breaks" is the first rap single to be certified gold.

Kurtis has remained active in the entertainment industry. He has acted in and produced music for motion pictures. He also co-produced with Dexter King and performed on the single "King Holiday" to celebrate Dexter's father Martin Luther King's birthday becoming a U.S. public holiday for the first time in 1986. This single featured Whitney Houston, New Edition, El Debarge, Teena Marie to name a few.



Social problems like drug abuse have gotten Kurtis' attention. He has supported organizations trying to stem this problem. He is the founder of the Hip Hop Church and is an ordained minister