BIO
Kurtis
Blow, one of the founders and creators of recorded rap, stands as an emerging
leader in a new generation of rappers with street sense, social criticism, and
commercial savvy, a timeless artist and hip hop legend, Kurtis Blow has been
instrumental in raising up a generation of MC’s, and he will soon carry the
torch for hip hop music into new arenas.
In
1979, at the age of twenty, Kurtis Blow became the first Rapper to be signed by
a major label. Mercury released
“Christmas Rappin,” and it sold over 400,000 copies and it became an annual
classic. Its gold follow‑up “The Breaks” helped ignite a still‑spreading international
“Rap Attack.” He released 10 Albums over 11 years -- The first entitled “Kurtis
Blow”, his full length debut and his second, a Top 50 Pop Album “Deuce,”
a big hit across Europe; “Party Time” which
featured a pioneering fusion of Rap and Go‑Go; “Ego
Trip,” which includes the hits “8
Million Stories”, “AJ”, and “Basketball”
and in 1985, “America.”
“America’s video innovation
received a MTV Monitor Award. From
this album, the song “If
I Ruled the World” became a top 5 hit on Billboard’s R & B chart.
Columbia/Sony recording artist Nas debuted at # 1 on the Billboard’s
Pop Album chart with a cover of the song in 1997.
He
was honored to coordinate “King
Holiday”, along with Dexter Scott King, a song to celebrate Dr. Martin
Luther King’s Birthday. The
Mercury/Polygram single co‑produced by Kurtis Blow includes the
collaborative efforts of Whitney Houston, New Edition, Stephanie Mills, El
Debarge, James “JT” Taylor of Kool & the Gang, The Fat Boys and Run DMC
among others. It has become an
annual Holiday Classic.
Besides
his own work, Kurtis has been responsible for Rap hits by The Fat Boys and Run
DMC. Run began his career billed as
“The son of Kurtis Blow.”
Love Bug Starski, Sweet Gee, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Full Force, Russell
Simmons and Wyclef Jean all have been produced or have worked with Blow in the
past. Additionally former label
mates Rene & Angela had their chart topping debut “Save
Your Love for # 1” gift wrapped by Kurtis Blow.
Kurtis
Blow's acting performances and music coordination in several movies including
Leon Kennedy’s “Cry of the City”
and the hit film “Krush Groove”
has won him continual praise. The
New York Daily News called his cinematic works “Noteworthy,
A Dynamic Presence.” As host
and co‑producer for “Das Leben
Amerikanischer Gangs” an international film production's focus on the West
Coast gang scene, Kurtis Blow crossed international waters for inner city
justice (1995). As host and
associate producer for "Rhyme and
Reason” a Miramax film, KB gives an informative account of the present
status of Hip‑Hop (1998). "The History Of Rap" Produced and
written by Kurtis, is soon coming to a theatre near you.
Kurtis
Blow speaks out emphatically against racism.
His raps, with cinematic sensibilities, open the world's eyes and ears to
inner city truth as much as they celebrate the purer pleasure of modern living.
He was also an active participant in the blistering Artist Against
Apartheid Record “Sun City.” Kurtis
Blow speaks out emphatically against Alcohol and Drugs. Kurtis' innate ability to reach people is also evident
in his selection as spokesperson for The National Ad
Counsel. He is an integral part of
its youth campaign and can be seen and heard in print, radio and television
nationwide as the first to “Say No To
Drugs.” He has also been involved with Phoenix House of California, a
substance abuse organization with Black community emphasis.
In
1995 Kurtis Blow started working on-air in radio. Power 106 the # 1 CHR. Radio
station in Southern California had Kurtis Blow on-air Sunday nights with The Old
School Show, a highly rated specialty show that features Blow playing the hits
from the past. The show was rated # 1 for 4 years. Kurtis is now working
for Sirius Satellite Radio on the Classic Old School Hip Hop station Backspin
43.
In 1996
Kurtis Blow was featured in a Hip Hop display at the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame. The display still stands.
In 1998 the group Next released “Too Close,” in which the music of
“Christmas Rap” was sampled for the #1 pop songs background track.
“Too Close” was the longest running #1 song of 1998 for Billboards
Pop Chart. ASCAP honored Blow and
Next at a gala affair on May 26, 1999. In 2002 after 9/11, Kurtis went overseas
to the Middle East to tour the Armed Forces Bases for 17 shows to bring a little
bit of back home to the troops stationed there. The tour consisted of shows in
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Krgystan, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman
“It was a tour I will never forget,” Blow says, “I did the Bob Hope
thing.”
Here
are many of the firsts credited to Kurtis Blow:
·
First
rapper to sign to a Major label
·
First
certified gold record for rap (“The Breaks”)
·
First
rapper to tour US & Europe (w/ The Commodores, 1980)
·
First
rapper to record a national commercial (Sprite)
· First
rapper to use the drum machine, sample & sample loop
· First
rap music video (“Basketball”)
· First
rap producer (Rap's producer of the year in 1983‑85)
· First
rapper featured in a soap opera (“One Life to Live”)
First rap millionaire
Kurtis Blow helped legitimize Hip Hop, and now, he intends to help redeem it. Having made a deep commitment to the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ, Kurtis has been attending Ministry classes at NYACK College Class of 2009. As Founder of the Hip Hop Church, Kurtis serves as rapper, DJ and worship leader. There are 4 Hip Hop Churches Kurtis is a part of - New York, Philadelphia, LA and Oakland. Since April 8th 2007, Kurtis is now a licensed Minister of the Gospels of The Lord Jesus Christ. “Don't get it twisted, God has always existed,” says Kurtis, “and in terms of these young people out here who love God but do not like to go to church, only Hip Hop can bring them back to the church
______________________________________________________
Frederick "Ricky B." Burchell is a rapper/producer who uplifts the name
of Jesus through rap music. Not only is he a rapper and producer, but he
is a youth minister at Abundant Life Christian Center in Murfreesboro,
TN.
Ricky B. released his first solo album, "The Calling" on D-Fusion
Music/Broken Records in 1998. The Song “Stand Up 4 Tha Faith”
reached #1 for seven weeks on Joyful Noize, the Christian Rap Charts.
In the spring of 1999, Ricky B. toured the Philippines becoming the
first Christian rap artist to tour that country. After his tour in the
Philippines, Ricky B. recorded his second album entitled "The
Fish-a-men" under Kamikazee Records.
Thereafter, Ricky B. combined efforts with Terrance "4Given" Carlton;
and together, they have released 2 CDs together: 'Somethin' U Ain't
Heard B4' and 'Unstoppable.' For their collaborations, Ricky B. &
4Given received a Holy Hip Hop award and they were nominated by the
Urban Gospel Alliance for Best New Artists. They will be releasing
their third CD entitled "If God B4 Us" in the upcoming months.
Ricky B. and Terrance "4Given" Carlton also CO-host a television show
called Mixx Masters Lounge, which aired in January of 2003 on the
inspiration network Steelroots TV/INSP.
In addition to his musical talents, Ricky has acting skills. Ricky
B. had the opportunity to costar in Objects of Wrath . In the
Perception Film released movie, Ricky B. plays an ex-con named
"Jamal."
Returning to his musical roots, Ricky B. teamed up with the gospel
group V3 to record the song "We Should Praise Him" for the EMI Gospel
release 'Praise Life Beyond 1.0.'
In addition to performing musically and on screen, Ricky B. has also
CO-produced a music video/live performance for recording artist Shirley
Murdock. The video was for the movie "Segregated Sunday."
Presently, Ricky B. has teamed up with Hip Hop Legend and Pioneer Rapper
Kurtis Blow and with Louisville, KY Recording Artist Chris Flow to form
a new super group called "The Trinity." The Trio will be releasing their
debut CD "Just Do It" in the near future.
As Ricky B. gains fame from his multitalented gifts from God, he will
never lose sight of his mission "to let young people know they can be
radiant for Christ and not to be ashamed of it.” Ricky B. has given
his testimony and has spoken in schools, national youth conferences,
television and radio stations around the country.
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The Trinity Biography of Chris "Flow" Forehand
_______________________________________________________
Forehand, a minister, rapper, talent recruiter and record company owner,
is dedicated to spreading a message of peace, love and healing through
rap music. His rap songs tell the stories of street life and how he
came 'off the corner' victorious with Christ.
Forehand was born in Louisville, KY. The young teen began writing rap
songs and performing them at block parties at the tender age of thirteen
(13). Shortly thereafter, Forehand became one of the opening (concert)
acts for Master P, LL Cool J, Kurtis Blow, Eight Ball, MJG, the late
Notorious B.I.G., Heavy D. and UTFO. Eventually, Forehand released a
Gangster Rap Album, entitled "Deal Gone Bad."
Despite his fame and steady paychecks, Forehand craved more. He sought
money in the streets selling drugs and stealing. After years of the
fast life: eight (8) gunshot wounds, three (3) months in the hospital
and six (6) years behind bars, Forehand realized that the void in his
life could not be filled with money, material things or fame. The hole
in his heart could only be replaced with God's grace, mercy and love.
He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior.
Rekindling his childhood dream, forehand found the best way to express
the lessons he learned from the streets was through gospel rap and
songs. In an effort to win souls for Christ, Forehand is traveling
around the country with his group, Kurtis blow and The Trinity, and
performing tracks from the groups latest CD, "Just Do It."
Forehands other credits include being invited to Donnie McClurkins'
conference in 2003 to perform gospel rap, performing in concert with
Yolanda Adams and Cuba Gooding, Sr., Louisville Gardens, performing on
Mixx Masters Lounge Holy Hip Hop show, and a live performance with
Kurtis Blow at Blow's Hip Hop church in Harlem, NY. Forehand has also
produced music and opened concerts for national recording artist
B.B.Jay.
As far as Forehand's film credits go, he has costarred in the film
"Plant a New Seed" and "The Finale." He also had a guest appearance on
"Ziklag," a video filmed by Christopher "Play" Martin of 'Kid n Play."
Today, Forehand hosts a half hour holy hip-hop radio show. He is saved
and uses his ministry to save souls through gospel rap and songs.
Forehand is an associate minister of the Mount Sinai A.O.H. church of
God and a youth coordinator for Louisville Central Community Centers,
Inc. For his community service with youth, Louisville Mayor Jerry
Abrasom gave him the key to the city (Louisville).
Forehand is married with four children.
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The Trinity Biography of Kurtis "Blow" Walker
(insert logo)
Kurtis Blow, the first rapper to sign with a major record label and
rap's first millionaire, was instrumental in bringing rap from the
underground to the masses.
Born in Harlem, he began to immerse himself in the newborn hip-hop
culture in the early '70s; in 1976, he enrolled at City College of New
York, where he became program director at the college's radio station.
During his college years, Blow fell in with a group of friends,
acquaintances and collaborators that would become the core of early-'80s
hip-hop. Blow worked with, among others, Grandmaster Flash, Russell
Simmons and Mele Mel. After college, Blow embarked on his music career
with Simmons as his manager and Simmons' younger brother Joey (who was
once called 'son of Kurtis Blow' and was later known as Run) working the
turntables.
In 1979, Blow recorded "Christmas Rapping," a novelty single CO-written
by Billboard columnist Rocky Ford. The song was a hit, landing Blow a
contract with Mercury Records. Later that year, Blow released his
landmark "The Breaks," included on Blow's self-titled debut. The record
was a major success both within the hip-hop community and outside, with
certified gold sales. It earned Blow a place in the pantheon of
influential early rappers.
In 1984 Blow released his Ego Trip album, which featured the single
"Basketball." The next year, Blow made his film debut in Krush Groove.
Blow's production work for artists such as Sweet G was also getting
notice: He was named Producer of the Year in New York for three
consecutive years (1983-85). Blow expanded his production work and
became one of the first rappers to infiltrate mainstream television,
appearing in commercials for Sprite in 1986 and writing rap segments for
the soap opera "One Life to Live" in 1991-92.
Today, Blow is a minister and has three holy hip-hop churches (Los
Angeles, New York and Philadelphia). Blow will be performing the entire
month of February in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, and other European
locations (to be announced at a later date). Blow will perform his hit
songs at these locations. Blow's objective is to bring together
children, teens and young adults from numerous races, countries, creeds,
religions, and colors and relay his message to take the streets back
from violence. The tour will wind up in the United States during the
months of March and April where Blow and The Trinity will be performing
in various locations throughout the US
His new CD with Kurtis Blow and The Trinity will be released during the
month of March. The purpose of the CD is Peace in the Streets. The CD
is to be used as a mechanism to create awareness of a much larger goal
and to spread the message of peace and harmony to the world through the
power of rap-instead of killing and stealing.
Blow states, "Ministry is my mission and my message is love and
salvation. The music and message are intended to transcend all ages,
genders, races, and religions to help create a harmonized, peaceful
world."