Kurtis Blow

Kurtis Blow (born Kurtis Walker August 9, 1959) is one of the pioneer rappers in the recording industry and hip hop's first mainstream star. "The Breaks" (1979) is one of hip hop's undisputed classics, with its c

Kurtis Blow (born Kurtis Walker August 9, 1959) is one of the pioneer rappers in the recording industry and hip hop's first mainstream star. "The Breaks" (1979) is one of hip hop's undisputed classics, with its catchy disco tune and rapping style. Blow was influenced by DJ Hollywood.

Blow began his career in New York City in the mid-1970s, when he was a breakdancer until switching to DJing and then rapping. He was the first rapper to record a full length album on a major label (1980). This occurred after recording "Christmas Rappin", his first single; during this time, "Rappers 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.