| Who was the first rap artist to… | | | | rapper who holds the office of a pastor. * Although it |
| …appear in a rap music video? | | | | may seem like a conflict of interest to some, it is a |
| …be featured in a soap opera? | | | | natural fit for Blow. “I’ve always noticed |
| …become a millionaire? | | | | there is spirituality in hip-hop,” he commented. |
| …become a producer? | | | | Like many modern churches, Blow sees hip-hop as a |
| …obtain a certified gold record for rap? | | | | means to bring “young people who love God but |
| …record a national commercial? | | | | do not like to go to church…back to the |
| …sign to a major label? | | | | church.” |
| …tour the US and Europe | | | | In addition to a CD collaboration with hip-hop pioneer, |
| …use the sample loop? | | | | Christopher “Play” Martin and holy hip-hop |
| Curtis “Kurtis Blow” Walker is not only an | | | | recording artist Canton Jones, Blow continues to be a |
| accomplished recording artist he is also a rap pioneer | | | | trendsetter. Recently, he launched a global portal that |
| turned hip-hop apostle. With more than 25 years of | | | | serves as an online music hub for holy hip-hop music. |
| industry experience, Walker, known simply as Kurtis | | | | Last month, Blow took his Hip-Hop Church America on |
| Blow, has 10 albums to his credit and a host of | | | | the road. A concert featuring DJ Battlecat, 2Five, |
| accomplishments that won him music, film, and | | | | Eastwood, Takim, and TraCee was held at the Crystal |
| television acclaim in the 80’s. | | | | Cathedral in Garden Grove, California (October 21, |
| Over the years, Blow maintained his rap association | | | | 2006). Founded by Dr. Robert Schuller, the Crystal |
| while evolving into an advocate for social justice. | | | | Cathedral has been a mainstay for conservative |
| Today, he speaks empathetically against racism, drugs, | | | | Christians for half a century. “By bringing Hip-Hop |
| and alcohol. His community initiatives include supporting | | | | Church America here, we’re showing that |
| The National Ad Counsel and Phoenix House of | | | | hip-hop can be both cool and fun, but also have a |
| California. In addition to having aided international | | | | positive message,” Schuller’s son Robert |
| campaigns such as the Sun City Artist Against | | | | commented. |
| Apartheid record, Blow supports U.S. troops. After 9/11, | | | | * A trend popularized five years ago by then Bad Boy |
| Blow went on a 17-show Armed Forces tour ( to the | | | | recording artist, MA$E (Mason Betha), Kurtis Blow is |
| Middle East. The tour included stops in Afghanistan, | | | | not hip-hop’s only apostle. Betha pastors |
| Bahrain, Jordan, Krgystan, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan and | | | | S.A.N.E. Church International in Atlanta, Georgia. Former |
| Saudi Arabia. | | | | Three 6 Mafia member, Mr. Del is also a rapper who |
| Though very active socially, Blow has not left his first | | | | pastors City of Refuge in Memphis, Tennessee. While |
| love. When he is not working on Backspin 43, Sirius | | | | he does not formally pastor a church, Reverend Run |
| Satellite Radio’s Classic Old School Hip-Hop | | | | of Run DMC fame is an ordained minister. |
| station, the former break dancer serves as rapper, DJ, | | | | As hip-hop apostles grow in number and visibility, the |
| and worship leader at the Hip-Hop Church he | | | | influence of hip-hop in the church and vice-versa |
| co-founded in Harlem, New York. Reportedly, Blow | | | | becomes more evident. |
| adds a tenth accomplishment to his list of firsts: a | | | | |