In an unique interview with rolling out, legendary hip-hop pioneer Kurtis Blow delves into the electrifying fusion of hip-hop and classical ballet in A Hip Hop Nutcracker. He shares insights on how this progressive manufacturing reimagines Tchaikovsky’s basic, celebrating the spirit of city tradition and redefining vacation traditions.
Why was it essential so that you can strategy The Nutcracker from a hip-hop perspective? What does it imply for hip-hop particularly?
It’s so very particular. I’m the Christmas rapper. My first tune was “Christmas Rap.” I’m the primary rapper signed to a significant label again in 1979. The label was Mercury Polygram. The primary workplace was proper right here in Chicago on Lakeshore Drive. So, it’s a particular half in my coronary heart for Chicago for the vacation season for A Hip Hop Nutcracker, which is predicated round this magical pleasure and spirit of pleasure and love that’s all concerning the vacation season.
You had some problems along with your coronary heart. What does it imply to have the ability to recover from such an issue and nonetheless be right here spreading pleasure, love and representing the tradition of hip-hop?
It means all the things to me to be right here nonetheless on the fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop. I’ve seen it from the start, and I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful before everything to my Father up in heaven. I actually consider God created hip-hop, and it’s a matter of incontrovertible fact that God continues to be within the miracle enterprise as a result of I wasn’t alleged to be right here, y’all. I used to be not alleged to see this fiftieth anniversary of hip-hop. Docs advised me I wanted a coronary heart transplant. So, I prayed to God, and I lastly took that step and had religion within the nice doctor. … God is within the miracle enterprise. I wanted a miracle. So, we have been praying — my household, all of my associates and world wide — everybody was praying for this miracle to occur, and God delivered.
I’m a strolling, residing, respiratory testimony that God is omnipotent. What God did for me, God may do for you as a result of God is ready. And that’s my story. That’s my testimony. I’m so grateful to nonetheless be right here, capable of get on the market on stage to sing Christmas rap and the breaks.
What can individuals anticipate to expertise at A Hip Hop Nutcracker?
Effectively, what to anticipate at A Hip Hop Nutcracker is a complete lot of enjoyable. A down-home old-school social gathering that’s geared to entertain and convey the spirit of pleasure and like to the entire complete household. Carry your complete household out; there’s something for everybody. I’ve seen grandparents deliver their kids and their kids’s kids to those reveals, and so they have a good time.
A Hip Hop Nutcracker is taking part in on the Cadillac Palace Theater from by way of Dec. 17.
