Kurtis Blow

Kurtis Blow (born Kurtis Walker; August 9, 1959) is an American rapper. He sang many major songs, like "Christmas Rappin'", "Basketball" and "The Breaks". In 1980, "The Breaks" was the first rap single that was certified gold.

He was born in The Bronx, New York City.

In 1979, he was the first rapper signed to Mercury Records.

Discography
Studio albums
+List of studio albums, with selected chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positionsUSUSR&B/HHKurtis Blow Released: September 29, 1980

 Formats: CD (re-issue), LP, Cassette7110Deuce Released: June 15, 1981
 Label: Mercury (US),Polygram (EU)
 Formats: LP, Cassette13735Tough Released: 1982

 Formats: LP, Cassette, digital download16738The Best Rapper on the Scene Released: 1983

 Formats: CD (re-issue), LP——Ego Trip Released: 1984
 Label: Mercury/Polydor
 Formats: LP, Cassette8318America Released: October, 1985
 Label: Mercury (US),Club (UK)
 Formats: LP, Cassette15318Kingdom Blow Released: 1986
 Label: Mercury/Polygram (US),Club (UK)
 Formats: CD, LP, Cassette, digital download19616Back by Popular Demand Released: 1988
 Label: Mercury
 Formats: CD, LP, Cassette, digital download—84 "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other albums
 Kurtis Blow Presents: Hip Hop Ministry (2007, EMI Gospel)
 Just Do It (2008, Krush Groove/Trinity/B4 Ent.) (with The Trinity)
 Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (2009, Krush Groove/Trinity/B4 Ent.) (with The Trinity)
 30th Anniversary of The Breaks CD (2010, Krush Records)

Compilation albums
 The Breaks (1986, Polygram)
 The Best of Kurtis Blow (1994, Mercury)
 Best of... Rappin''' (2002, Spectrum Music)
 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kurtis Blow'' (2003, Mercury)

Singles and EPs
 Year Song Peak chart positionsUS DanceUS R&BUS 100UK 1979 "Christmas Rappin — 52 ― 30 1980 "The Breaks" 9 4 87 47 "Throughout Your Years"  75 31 ― — 1981 "Hard Times" ― 75 ― ― 1982 "Tough"  — 37 ― — 1983 "Party Time?"  39 35 ― 67 "Nervous"  — — ― — 1984 "8 Million Stories"  — 45 — — "Ego Trip"  — — — — "Basketball"  ― 29 71 ― 1985 "America"  ― 74 — ― "If I Ruled the World"  25 16 ― 24 1986 "I'm Chillin ― 20 ― 64 "The Bronx" ― — ― — 1988 "Back by Popular Demand" ― — ― — "—" denotes releases that did not chart.

References

Category:1959 births
Category:Living people
Category:African-American rappers
Category:Rappers from New York (state)
Category:American record producers
Category:Musicians from New York City