Short answers, pulled from the story.
Kurtis Blow, born Kurtis Walker on the 9th of August 1959, is the first commercially successful rapper and the first rapper to sign with a major record label, Mercury Records. His single "The Breaks" became the first certified gold record in rap history.
In 1979, at the age of twenty, Kurtis Blow signed with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. The deal produced "Christmas Rappin'", which sold over 400,000 copies.
"The Breaks" sold over 840,000 copies, making it the first certified gold record in rap music. It appeared on Blow's 1980 self-titled debut album.
Kurtis Blow released 17 albums across his career. His solo studio albums include Kurtis Blow (1980), Deuce (1981), Tough (1982), Ego Trip (1984), America (1985), Kingdom Blow (1986), and Back by Popular Demand (1988), among others.
Run of Run-DMC began his career billed as "The Son of Kurtis Blow." Blow also produced hits for The Fat Boys and collaborated with or produced work for Lovebug Starski, Full Force, Russell Simmons, and Wyclef Jean.
Kurtis Blow became an ordained minister on the 16th of August 2009. He founded the Hip Hop Church in Harlem, where he serves as rapper, DJ, worship leader, and licensed minister.