By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO
In 1979, on the age of 20, native New Yorker Kurtis Blow paved the best way for hip-hop artists when he grew to become the primary rapper to signal with a serious report label, Mercury Data, and shortly achieved industrial success with the discharge of “Christmas Rappin’” and “The Breaks, the latter representing the primary licensed gold rap tune in historical past. Since then, he has continued to hold the torch, mixing rap and go-go in his distinctive model to create different hits which have collectively change into a part of the soundtrack of hip hop from “If I Dominated the World” to “Basketball.”
And to assist Washingtonians have fun the enjoyment of the vacation season, the multi-talented rapper, songwriter, producer, DJ and ordained minister will function the particular visitor emcee for “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” – a reimagined model of Tchaikovsky’s timeless basic that includes the skills of a dozen hip hop dancers – popping, locking and breaking – together with a DJ and violinist.
But it surely’s Blow, one of many founding fathers of hip hop, who will get issues going, opening the present with a brief set, Dec. 20-22 at The Nationwide Theatre in Washington, D.C., earlier than returning for the finale and an encore.
“It looks as if solely yesterday when a good friend got here to see me throughout a present I used to be doing within the Bronx and offered me with an thought he had,” he mentioned. “I used to be . So, I went with him to a rehearsal at NJPAC (New Jersey Performing Arts Heart, positioned in Newark, NJ) the place I used to be blown away, watching b-boys and b-girls breaking to classical music with hip hop beats.”
Blow mentioned he was excited since he’s an avid fan of fusing completely different genres of music.
“And when of us see the present this yr, they are going to expertise scenes which might be inventive, energetic and filled with compassion, splendidly conceived by Jennifer Weber who serves because the lead choreographer,” he mentioned. “You’re gonna see energy strikes, intricate footwork and all of the kinds of hip hop represented of their dance as they convey the message of the present. Love is within the choreography due to Jennifer’s imaginative and prescient and expertise, and it’s carried out with unbelievable precision.”
Ideas on sharing the historical past of hip hop to a brand new era
When requested to contemplate his profession which has spanned greater than 4 many years, Blow was surprisingly humble, notably contemplating the numerous accolades he’s garnered, the friendships he has cast and the impression he has made – and continues to make – on hip hop artists and followers.
“I’m grateful and honored to nonetheless be capable of convey this cultural motion from the era that created it,” he mentioned. “However to be clear, we created it underneath the auspices of peace and unity and have been lucky to have the ability to specific ourselves in a secure house.”
Blow mentioned he believes this newest manufacturing of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” will even really feel like a secure house for households to take pleasure in and discover constructive themes.
“I take into account the three nights we’ll be on stage in certainly one of my favourite cities on the planet, Washington, D.C., as a teachable second – a time for one’s whole household to take pleasure in themselves as we share our message of affection and peace. That is my twelfth yr with the present and I’m nonetheless one hundred pc dedicated to it and the dancers, choreographers, musicians, forged – everybody – as a result of I understand that this present and its continued success are important to the way forward for hip hop,” he mentioned.
Last reflections on a life replete with blessings
Again within the day – in 1972 to be precise – Kurtis Blow, then 13, first dreamed about changing into the subsequent Paul Robeson and set out on his mission. As a substitute, issues turned out completely different and in his personal phrases, “higher than I might have ever imagined.”
“I wished to be a singer, dancer and musician and got down to grasp each instrument. However I used to be sidetracked in 1973 once I started working as an emcee tand dancer for icons like DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and others at golf equipment all through New York,” Blow mentioned. “I saved working arduous, studying all I might from the greats after which I used to be blessed with the chance to change into the home DJ at Smalls Paradise in Harlem. That was my coaching floor for what would come later with Mercury Data and my probability to tour and entertain the world.”
Blow continues to entertain the world, not too long ago releasing a brand new video with gamers from the NBA and WNBA to mark the fortieth anniversary of his hit single, “Basketball.”
(Watch the video right here.)
And throughout the closing scene of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” because the host of the present, Blow returns to the stage so the viewers can stand up, sing and dance with him and the forged.
“I take of us down reminiscence lane with a medley of hip hop songs and the viewers is inspired to bounce at their seats and even exit into the aisles,” he mentioned. “And sure, I’m going to sing ‘The Breaks’ whereas the dancers do their factor. We need to make certain we go away the stage with the message of affection – that’s what the season is all about.
“As for me and my household, remembering that Jesus is the rationale for the season, I thank God for all of the blessings He has given me,” he mentioned.
For tickets or extra info, go to https://www.washington-theater.com/reveals/national-theater/the-hip-hop-nutcracker.
