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Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to appear on national television

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Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to appear and perform on national television after his appearance on the syndicated weekly, Soul and R&B program, Soul Train in October of 1980. Soul Train’s host Don Cornelius invited Kurtis Blow to perform his hit single “The Breaks” the first hip-hop single to go gold. Hip-Hop was gaining momentum and “The Breaks” was charting at the time, Kurtis Blow’s performance helped catapult his major label debut single “The Breaks” to gold status.

Kurtis Blow’s performance is still considered one of the best and most memorable moments in Soul Train’s history.

Purchase our 100 Hip-Hop Facts (1973-2000) Book

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