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Kurtis Blow was inducted into the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2014.

Kurtis Walker—known to the world as Kurtis Blow—kicked off his career in the 1970s as Kool DJ Kurt, spinning records and making waves. 

He became the first rapper to achieve commercial success and land a major record deal with Mercury. His 1980 debut album featured “The Breaks,” the first rap song to go certified gold. He is known for his songs "Basketball," "Christmas Rappin," "If I Ruled the World, and "Hard Times."

Over his career, Blow has released 15 albums and crafted hits for The Fat Boys and Run DMC (with Run initially billed as “The Son of Kurtis Blow”). 

Blow has also produced or collaborated with legends like Lovebug Starski, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Full Force, Russell Simmons, and Wyclef Jean.

Kurtis Blow also starred in the film Krush Groove along with Run DMC, Sheila E. and The Fat Boys.

This interview originally aired on Tom Needham's The Sounds of Film.