Kurt Walker was born on 9 August 1959, in Harlem, New York City USA, and is a record producer and rapper, best remembered for having been the first rapper to sign with a major record label, and the first rapper to find commercial success. His 1980 debut album which contains the song “The Breaks” is the first ever certified gold rap song. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Kurtis Blow? As of mid-2016, sources estimate a net worth that is at $5 million, mostly earned through a successful career in the rap music industry. Throughout his career, he’s released over 15 albums, and then later on found his calling as a minister. All of these have ensured the position of his wealth.
Kurtis Blow Net Worth $5 million
Kurtis started off as a DJ under the name Kool DJ Kurt, while also working as a disco performer. In 1979, he signed with the label Mercury and became the first rapper in history to be signed under a record label; his initial song entitled “Christmas Rappin” sold over 500,000 copies, and later his follow up “The Breaks” which was under his debut album also sold over 500,000. Thanks to his popularity, he then performed overseas and became the first rapper to ever do so. Over the next eleven years, he would continue to release more albums. These include “Deuce” which reached top 50 in the charts, “Party Time” which was a rap fusion song and the album “Ego Trip” which had several hit songs. The song “If I Ruled the World” would become successful and reached the fifth spot on the Billboard R&B Chart. However, as the 1990s grew nearer, his rap career started to decline and he moved on to production work.
After transitioning to production, he started working with other groups and helped make hits for Run DMC. He also worked with The Fat Boys, Full Force, Wyclef Jean, and Rene & Angele. In 1986, he helped release the song “King Holiday” which was created to celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday. Kurtis then tried his hand at acting, becoming part of “Knights of the City” and “Krush Groove”. He also became the co-producer of “Das Leben Amerikanischer Gangs” which was about West Coast gangs. In 1998, he participated in “The History of Rap” which was a three volume release.
Around this time in the 1990s, he began working with various groups and churches, becoming a spokesperson against racism. Kurtis was also honored for his music achievements and in 2002, travelled to the Middle East to perform for the Armed Forces in numerous shows. In 2009, he became an ordained minister and founded The Hip Hop Church which he uses his talents as a musician; he serves as a worship leader, DJ, rapper, and minister of the church. One of his latest projects is “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” which is a production that toured during November 2015.
For his personal life, there is no public information on any relationships urtis may have had. It is known that Kurtis became such an icon in the rap and music industry that he is regularly featured in pop culture. He’s been referenced by Ice Cube, Notorious BIG, 50 Cent, and Snoop Dogg. His music is also still featured in various forms of media such as video games. Aside from these, Kurtis is the first rapper to ever break the million dollar mark, making him the first millionaire rapper.
