Collected

Description

Kurtis Walker - better known by his stage name Kurtis Blow - was the first rapper and hip-hop artist to sign with the American label Mercury in 1979. His first single "Christmas Rappin'" became an instant classic, selling nearly half a million copies on 12-inch vinyl. The following single "The Breaks" sold over a million copies, making it the very first rap single to be certified gold. Kurtis Blow's self-titled debut album was released in 1980, and due to its success, he performed in Europe and Japan, spreading the new hip-hop sound worldwide. Throughout his career, Kurtis Blow released a total of fifteen albums and a multitude of solo singles such as "Through Your Years," "Hard Times," and "Tough." The tracks "America," "If I Ruled The World" (which was later sampled by The Fugees and Nas), and "Basketball" solidified his hip-hop legend. In addition to his solo work, he also collaborated with The Fat Boys, Run D.M.C., Sheila E. on "Krush Groovin'" from the influential 1985 hip-hop film Krush Groove, "Save Your Love (For #1)" by René and Angela, and "Funky Stuff" with Kool & The Gang, inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2024.