Kurtis Blow

 Kurtis Blow is an American rapper, songwriter, record/film producer, and minister. He was born on August 9, 1959, in Harlem, New York City, and grew up in the nearby neighborhood of East Harlem.

Kurtis Blow, whose birth name is Kurtis Walker, got his start in the music industry as a teenage breakdancer in the late 1970s. He quickly became known for his energetic performances and his talent for rhyming and rapping. In 1979, at the age of 20, he released his debut single, "Christmas Rappin'," which became an instant hit and helped to establish him as one of the first commercially successful rappers.

In 1980, Kurtis Blow released his self-titled debut album, which included the hit single "The Breaks." The song became the first certified gold record rap song, selling over 500,000 copies and establishing Kurtis Blow as one of the pioneers of hip-hop.

Throughout the 1980s, Kurtis Blow continued to release successful albums and singles, including "Hard Times," "Starlife," and "Basketball," which became an anthem for the sport. He also became involved in film and television production, producing and starring in the 1985 film "Krush Groove," which chronicled the rise of hip-hop music.

In the late 1980s, Kurtis Blow became a born-again Christian and began to incorporate religious themes into his music. He released several gospel rap albums, including "The Kingdom Blow," "Kurtis Blow Presents: The Hip Hop Church," and "Kurtis Blow Presents: The History of Rap, Vol. 1."

In addition to his music career, Kurtis Blow has also worked as a music industry executive, serving as the vice president of artists and repertoire at Mercury Records from 1989 to 1994. He has also been involved in various charitable and philanthropic endeavors, including serving as a board member for the Hip Hop Summit Action Network, an organization that aims to empower young people through hip-hop culture.

Today, Kurtis Blow continues to be an influential figure in the hip-hop industry and a pioneer of the genre. He is also a minister and evangelist, and he uses his music and platform to spread his message of faith and positivity.