Kurtis Blow talks heart transplant and 'Hip-Hop Nutcracker' ahead of visit to Columbus
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Kurtis Blow’s return for the 10th annual production of “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” is not just a holiday treat; it’s a holiday miracle.
The 63-year-old hip-hop pioneer had a heart transplant in 2020.
“I am a walking, living, breathing testimony of the power of God,” said the rapper and producer, born Kurtis Walker. “Every morning that I wake up is a blessing.”
Blow serves as the MC of “The Hip-Hop Nutcracker,” which will make a stop at the Palace Theatre on Dec. 4, adding to a robust holiday performing arts season in Columbus.
Directed and choreographed by Jennifer Weber, the show re-imagines Balanchine’s ballet and Tchaikovsky’s score with an onstage DJ, electric violinist and hip-hop dancers, who Blow calls the “the b-boy and b-girl dream team.”
The setting takes on a twist as well. Instead of taking place in 19th-century Germany, Maria-Clara and the Nutcracker Prince travel around present-day New York City.
“When you see that fusion of classical music with hip-hop beats under it, it's incredible,” Blow said. “Three and four generations of people come out, and all races and nationalities. This is the theme of hip-hop, because when we first created (the art form), it was for everyone.”
More:Holiday arts preview: 50+ concerts, shows and performances coming to Columbus this season
Kurtis Blow got his big break as first major MC
Blow being a part of "The Hip-Hop Nutcracker" isn't much of a surprise, given that the rap icon knows a thing or two about blending the celebration of Christmas with the music form. In 1979, when hip-hop was still in its infancy, Blow released his first single, "Christmas Rappin.'"
Striving for a cross between James Brown and disco group Chic, "Christmas Rappin'" was a modest sales success initially, but eventually reached gold status for selling more than 500,000 copies over the years. The song has since become a radio staple during Christmastime.
"I just want to say thank you to all of the radio stations around the country that play it every holiday season," Blow said. "It's still going strong today."
When Blow partnered with Mercury Records as a 19-year-old student at City College of New York, he became the first rapper signed to a major label.
The following year, Blow made history again as the first rapper to have a gold single with the hip-hop classic "The Breaks."
"I don't like to say I'm a visionary," Blow said, laughing. "I knew (hip-hop) was something special when I was a teenager. And I banked on it."
The success of his music led Blow to meet some of his favorite artists, including Michael Jackson and Prince. But he said meeting Bob Marley was especially memorable.
The late reggae singer was added to a tour stop at Madison Square Garden in 1980 with Blow and The Commodores a year before he died.
"Here comes a crowd of people backstage at the Garden, and they're coming towards us," Blow recalled.
"The crowd opens up and I see this guy in the center of the crowd with (locs). It's Bob Marley! He walks straight up to me and shakes my hand and says, 'Kurtis, I like your stuff.' And the crowd closes up and he goes onstage. That is something I will never forget in my life."
Blow is working to highlight hip-hop's legacy
Today, Blow is focused on preserving hip-hop's history. The rapper is chairman and co-founder of the forthcoming Universal Hip-Hop Museum, along with Ice T, LL Cool J and other rappers and entrepreneurs.
Set to have an official opening in the Bronx in 2024, the institution will examine the legacy of hip-hop.
"It's so vital that our youth know how this whole thing got started, and the elements of the culture," Blow said.
Music also plays a large part in Blow's relationship with God. An ordained minister, he is the co-founder of Harlem’s Hip Hop Church.
Blow said the church is currently hosting virtual services, but plans to return in-person sometime next year.
Fans also can see Blow on their screens in "The Hip-Hop Nutcracker" special streaming on Disney+.
Audiences seeing the live show will be amazed, he said.
"(They) will leave our show feeling good inside and revitalized, and sharing the holiday spirit with all of their friends and family."
At a glance
"The Hip-Hop Nutcracker” will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4, at the Palace Theatre, 34 W. Broad St. Tickets range from $34 to $64. Call 614-469-0939 or visit cbusarts.com.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Kurtis Blow talks 'Hip-Hop Nutcracker' ahead of visit to Columbus
