Kurtis Walker, known professionally by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Walker is the first commercially successful rapper and the first to sign with a major record label. "The Breaks", a single from his 1980 self-titled debut album, is the first certified gold record rap song. Over his career he released 17 albums. He is an ordained minister.
The new school of hip hop was a movement in hip hop music, beginning in 1983–84 with the early records of Run–D.M.C., Whodini, and LL Cool J. Predominantly from Queens and Brooklyn, it was characterized by Drum Machine-led minimalism, often tinged with elements of Rock; rapped taunts, boasts, and socio-political commentary; and aggressive, self-assertive delivery. In song and image, its artists projected a tough, cool, street B-boy attitude. These elements contrasted sharply with Funk and Disco, Novelty hits, live bands, synthesizers, and party rhymes of artists prevalent in the early 1980s. Compared to their older hip hop counterparts, new school artists crafted more cohesive LPs and shorter songs more amenable to airplay. By 1986, their releases began to establish hip hop in the mainstream.
Radio is the debut studio album by American rapper LL Cool J. It was released on November 18, 1985, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. It was also Def Jam's first full-length album release.
The Fat Boys were an American hip hop trio from Brooklyn, New York, who emerged in the early 1980s. The group was briefly known originally as the Disco 3, originally composed of Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley, and Darren "Buff Love" Robinson.
Run-D.M.C. is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on March 27, 1984, by Profile Records, and re-issued by Arista Records. The album was primarily produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith.
Krush Groove is a 1985 American musical comedy-drama film distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures that was written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz. This film is loosely based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons, portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut. Simmons was the film's co-producer and story consultant; he also had a cameo in the film as a club owner named Crocket.
King of Rock is the second studio album by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C., released on January 21, 1985, by Profile Records. The album was produced by Russell Simmons and Larry Smith. King of Rock became the first rap album to be released on CD, and was the third rap album to be certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The album saw the group adopting a more rock-influenced sound, with several tracks prominently featuring heavy guitar riffs. The song "Roots, Rap, Reggae" features Yellowman, and was one of the first hybrids of rap and dancehall.
David Franklin Reeves Jr. is an American musician, DJ, and producer best known for his work in cooperation with Run-DMC, Kurtis Blow, The Fat Boys, and Jam Master Jay. An early associate of Russell Simmons and Larry Smith, Dave first made his name in the 1980s.
Disco Fever was a New York City dance club located in the South Bronx on Jerome Avenue and 167th street that operated from 1976 to 1986. After initially failing to draw many customers, Sal Abbatiello convinced his father, the owner, to hand over the reins. Abbatiello quickly began featuring hip hop artists including a young Grandmaster Flash, and the club greatly increased in popularity and fame. Hip hop group Run-D.M.C. performed their first show at the club.
Disorderlies is a 1987 comedy film starring the rap group, The Fat Boys, and Ralph Bellamy. The film was directed by Michael Schultz who previously directed The Fat Boys in Krush Groove.
Can You Feel Me is the third studio album by American rapper Dru Down. It was released in 1996 through C-Note/Relativity Records. Recording sessions took place at Infinite Studios in Alameda, at Backroom Studios in Glendale, at Power Play Studios in Oakland, at The Grill in Emeryville, at Umoja Vibe, at Bosko's Digital Chicken And Beats in Los Angeles, and at Blackhole Studio near Los Angeles. Production was handled by DJ Fuze, Alonzo Jackson, Lev Berlak, The Whole 9, Maurice "Butch" Stewart, Big D the Impossible, Bosko, DJ Battlecat, DJ Daryl, Jamiel Hassan, Kenny McCloud, Soopafly and Terry T, with Chris "C&H" Hicks serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Luniz, Bootsy Collins, Eklipze, Knucklehead, L.V., Nick Nac, Poppa LQ and T-Luni. The album peaked at number 54 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 14 on the Top R&B Albums chart in the United States. It spawned two singles: "Can You Feel Me" and "Baby Bubba". Its lead single reached #92 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart.
Mark Anthony Morales, better known by the stage name Prince Markie Dee, was an American rapper. He was a member of the Fat Boys, a pioneering hip hop group that gained fame during the 1980s. Morales was the vice-president of Uncle Louie Music Group.
Ghetto Fabulous is the third studio album by American rapper Mystikal. It was released on December 15, 1998, by No Limit Records. It was produced by Beats by the Pound. Like his previous album, this also proved to be a success peaking at #5 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums selling 386,000 copies in its first week. A single, "That's the Nigga", reached #25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks. This was Mystikal's final album with No Limit Records. The album was also certified platinum by the RIAA on January 27, 1999. On January 29, 2000, Ghetto Fabulous had sold 2,901,131 records in the U.S.
Darren Robinson, also known as Big Buff, Buff Love, Buffy, The Human Beat Box, The Ox That Rocks, and DJ Doctor Nice, was a rapper, beatboxer, and actor who was a member of the 1980s hip hop group The Fat Boys. He, along with Doug E. Fresh and others, were pioneers of beatboxing, a form of vocal percussion used in many rap groups throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Lawrence Smith was a pioneering American musician and hip hop record producer. He is best known for his co-productions of Run-DMC's Run-D.M.C. (1984) and King of Rock (1985) and his solo production of Whodini's Escape (1984) and Back in Black (1986).
"Sucker M.C.'s" is a song by American hip hop group Run-D.M.C. It was first released in 1983 as B-side to "It's Like That". The two-sided release marked the start of Run-D.M.C.'s career as their first single, and it is widely regarded as ushering in a new school of hip hop artists with a street image and an abrasive, minimalist sound that marked them out from their predecessors. Both tracks were collected on the trio's self-titled debut album in 1984. WBAU was the first station to play the two songs.
The Fat Boys Are Back is the second studio album by American hip hop group the Fat Boys. It was released on June 1, 1985, via Sutra Records. The album was produced by Kurtis Blow.
Big & Beautiful is the third studio album by American hip hop trio the Fat Boys. It was released in 1986 through Sutra Records, marking the group's final release for the label. The recording sessions took place at Brooklyn Music Factory, D&D Studios, Quad Recording Studios, and Synth-Net, Inc. The album was produced by Dave Ogrin, Fresh Gordon, the Latin Rascals, and the Fat Boys, with Gary Rottger serving as co-producer. In the United States, the album peaked at number 62 on the Top Pop Albums and number 10 on the Top Black Albums charts. It was supported with two singles: "Sex Machine" and "In the House", both went charted on the Hot Black Singles chart, reaching No. 23 and 51, respectively.
Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens, New York City, formed in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and especially one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new-school hip hop music and helped usher in the golden age of hip hop. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.
Damon Yul Wimbley, known professionally as Kool Rock-Ski, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and former member of the American hip hop trio The Fat Boys.
