Kurtis Blow

For the album, see Kurtis Blow (album).
"Christmas Rappin'" redirects here. For the Waitresses song, see Christmas Wrapping.

Kurtis Blow
Kurtis Blow performing in Hannover, Germany on March 30, 2012
Kurtis Blow performing in Hannover, Germany on March 30, 2012
Background information
Birth nameKurtis Walker
Born (1959-08-09) August 9, 1959 (age 65)
New York City, U.S.[1]
GenresHip hop
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • producer
  • DJ
  • minister
Years active1979–present
Labels

Kurtis Walker (born August 9, 1959),[2] known professionally by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer.[3] Walker is the first commercially successful rapper and the first to sign with a major record label.[4] "The Breaks", a single from his 1980 self-titled debut album, is the first certified gold record rap song. Throughout his career he has released 17 albums and is currently an ordained minister.[2]

  1. ^ Steve Huey. "Kurtis Blow". AllMusic. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Hess, Mickey (2009). Hip Hop in America: A Regional Guide. Santa Barbara (CA): ABC-CLIO. pp. 34–35. ISBN 9780313343216.
  3. ^ trong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. p. 93. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  4. ^ Walker, Deborah (March 4, 2009). "Kurtis Blow Speaks at Nyack Rockland March 6". Retrieved April 19, 2017.