a16zHow Kurtis Blow Inspired Nas and Lauryn Hill’s Classic
a16z
Harlem roots 0:00
Curtis Blow traces hip-hop back to Harlem and the Bronx, when the music was still called rocking, breaking, burning, and partying. He ties its rise to the aftermath of the civil rights era, citywide hardship, and burned-out buildings. Kids were making something from nothing. Disco mattered too. You went to clubs, felt the bass in your body, and danced all night. Hip-hop came out of that world as a ghetto version of disco, built by people who loved music and had little else.
Early breaks 7:33
He describes going to every New York disco he could reach, first with a fake ID at 16, then as a young MC studying the scene. He started rapping in 1974 at a Harlem club called the Wham, copying a radio voice he admired. He later met Russell and won him over with a house party performance in Harlem. That led to work with Rush Productions, a club in Queens, and a path into record success. Ron and Joey also recall cooking, flyers, and DJ work around him.
Prince and the tribute 19:31
He recalls meeting Michael Jackson and Prince, then arranging a photo shoot with Prince after If I Rule the World and Crush Groove made him hot. He says Prince was a model of stamina with 2,000 shots, then turns to Lauryn Hill’s remake, saying he listened to the tape for two hours and knew it would sell.
Paid in full 23:01
Shante closes by saying the moment reflects Paid in Full, not personal feelings, but love of hip-hop and a person’s accomplishments, passion, and contribution. She says he has been there from the beginning and deserves to be honored, then tells him she loves him and that he should be paid in full.
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