In 1979, Kurtis Blow signed a deal with Mercury Records, making him the first rapper signed by a major label. Blow was soon officially a superstar as well. He went on to release 10 albums over the next 11 years. This included 1985's America, featuring the song "If I Ruled the World." The song cracked the Top 5 on the Billboard charts on first release, and returned (in sample form) a decade later when Nas's version debuted at No. 1. Blow also produced albums for artists like The Fat Boys, Run-D.M.C., Russell Simmons and Wyclef Jean. His influence on hip-hop was so profound that rapper Run of the seminal trio Run-D.M.C. initially called himself the "Son of Kurtis Blow" when just starting his career. Read more about Kurtis Blow here.
Kurtis Blow's Self-Titled Album Anniversary
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