When was Kurtis Blow born and where was he born?
Kurtis Walker was born on the 9th of August 1959 in Harlem, Manhattan, New York City. He later adopted the stage name Kurtis Blow to become the first rapper to sign with a major record label.
Common questions about Kurtis Blow
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What records did Kurtis Blow sell and when did he sign with Mercury Records?
Kurtis Blow signed with Mercury Records in 1979 at the age of twenty. His debut single Christmas Rappin sold over 400,000 copies and his follow-up track The Breaks sold over 840,000 copies to become the first certified gold record rap song.
Who did Kurtis Blow produce and what was his role in the music industry?
Kurtis Blow produced hits for The Fat Boys and Run DMC starting in 1983. He also produced for Lovebug Starski, Full Force, and Wyclef Jean while serving as a behind-the-scenes architect of the genre.
When did Kurtis Blow become an ordained minister and what church did he found?
Kurtis Blow became an ordained minister on the 16th of August 2009. He founded the Hip Hop Church in Harlem where he serves as a rapper, DJ, worship leader and licensed minister.
When will the Hip Hop Museum open and who is Kurtis Blow as Chairman?
The Hip Hop Museum is slated to open in October 2026 in the Bronx point section of NYC. Kurtis Blow was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Hip Hop Museum in 2016 to ensure the history of the genre is preserved for future generations.