"Kurtis Blow's 1980 debut album revolutionized hip-hop"
Kurtis Blow's 1980 debut album was a game changer in hip-hop, becoming one of the genre's first nationwide hits and setting the blueprint for the format of hip-hop that we know today. As the first rapper to sign a major label deal, Blow's album showcased the potential for hip-hop artists to make money, tour, and support their families through their music. His iconic single "The Breaks" remains one of the most celebrated songs in hip-hop history.