By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
In 1979, at the age of 20, native New Yorker Kurtis Blow paved the way for hip-hop artists when he became the first rapper to sign with a major record label, Mercury Records, and soon achieved commercial success with the release of “Christmas Rappin’” and “The Breaks, the latter representing the first certified gold rap song in history. Since then, he has continued to carry the torch, blending rap and go-go in his unique style to create other hits that have collectively become part of the soundtrack of hip hop from “If I Ruled the World” to “Basketball.”
And to help Washingtonians celebrate the joy of the holiday season, the multi-talented rapper, songwriter, producer, DJ and ordained minister will serve as the special guest emcee for “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” – a reimagined version of Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic featuring the talents of a dozen hip hop dancers – popping, locking and breaking – along with a DJ and violinist.
But it’s Blow, one of the founding fathers of hip hop, who gets things going, opening the show with a short set, Dec. 20-22 at The National Theatre in Washington, D.C., before returning for the finale and an encore.
“It seems like only yesterday when a friend came to see me during a show I was doing in the Bronx and presented me with an idea he had,” he said. “I was interested. So, I went with him to a rehearsal at NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Center, located in Newark, NJ) where I was blown away, watching b-boys and b-girls breaking to classical music with hip hop beats.”
Blow said he was excited since he is an avid fan of fusing different genres of music.
“And when folks see the show this year, they will experience scenes that are creative, energetic and full of compassion, wonderfully conceived by Jennifer Weber who serves as the lead choreographer,” he said. “You’re gonna see power moves, intricate footwork and all the styles of hip hop represented in their dance as they communicate the message of the show. Love is in the choreography thanks to Jennifer’s vision and talent, and it’s performed with incredible precision.”
Thoughts on sharing the history of hip hop to a new generation
When asked to consider his career which has spanned more than four decades, Blow was surprisingly humble, particularly considering the many accolades he’s garnered, the friendships he has forged and the impact he has made – and continues to make – on hip hop artists and fans.
“I am grateful and honored to still be able to bring this cultural movement from the generation that created it,” he said. “But to be clear, we created it under the auspices of peace and unity and were fortunate to be able to express ourselves in a safe space.”
Blow said he believes this latest production of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” will also feel like a safe space for families to enjoy and explore positive themes.
“I consider the three nights we’ll be on stage in one of my favorite cities on the planet, Washington, D.C., as a teachable moment – a time for one’s entire family to enjoy themselves as we share our message of love and peace. This is my 12th year with the show and I’m still 100 percent committed to it and the dancers, choreographers, musicians, cast – everyone – because I realize that this show and its continued success are critical to the future of hip hop,” he said.
Final reflections on a life replete with blessings
Back in the day – in 1972 to be exact – Kurtis Blow, then 13, first dreamed about becoming the next Paul Robeson and set out on his mission. Instead, things turned out different and in his own words, “better than I could have ever imagined.”
“I wanted to be a singer, dancer and musician and set out to master every instrument. But I was sidetracked in 1973 when I began working as an emcee tand dancer for icons like DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and others at clubs throughout New York,” Blow said. “I kept working hard, learning all I could from the greats and then I was blessed with the opportunity to become the house DJ at Smalls Paradise in Harlem. That was my training ground for what would come later with Mercury Records and my chance to tour and entertain the world.”
Blow continues to entertain the world, recently releasing a new video with players from the NBA and WNBA to mark the 40th anniversary of his hit single, “Basketball.”
(Watch the video here.)
And during the final scene of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” as the host of the show, Blow returns to the stage so the audience can get up, sing and dance with him and the cast.
“I take folks down memory lane with a medley of hip hop songs and the audience is encouraged to dance at their seats or even go out into the aisles,” he said. “And yes, I’m going to sing ‘The Breaks’ while the dancers do their thing. We want to make sure we leave the stage with the message of love – that’s what the season is all about.
“As for me and my family, remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season, I thank God for all the blessings He has given me,” he said.
For tickets or more information, visit https://www.washington-theater.com/shows/national-theater/the-hip-hop-nutcracker.
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