He became an MC in his own right around 1977, and changed his name to Kurtis Blow (as in a body blow) at the suggestion of his manager, future rap mogul Russell Simmons. Blow began his career in New York City in the mid-1970s, when he was a breakdancer until switching to DJing under the name Kool DJ Kurt and then finally rapping. He was the first rapper to record a full length album on a major label (1979). This occurred after recording "Christmas Rappin", his first single; during this time, "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang became the first hit for hip hop. The whole field was derided as a fad, though, and thus there was much resistance to signing Blow. In 1980 he opened for reggae legend Bob Marley at the Madison Square Garden where he performed for an audience of 20,000.
He has appeared in several feature films, including Krush Groove and The Show. A duet with rock icon Bob Dylan called "Street Rock", appeared on Blow's 1986 album, Kingdom Blow[1] by special arrangement of Wayne Garfield (Garfield and Blow co-wrote, "Reasons For Wanting You" on Kingdom Blow)[2] and Debra Byrd, American Idol's head vocal coach and former Dylan backup singer (see album credits).[citation needed]
And in 2004, he recorded the song "Hey Everybody" with Max C and Bomfunk MC's for their album, Reverse Psychology. He also co-wrote songs with The Fat Boys, including their signature songs, "Fat Boys" (1984) and "The Fat Boys Are Back" (1985).
Kurtis Blow also became the first hip hop musician embraced by the mainstream advertising industry with his appearance in a commercial for the soft drink Sprite.
He is currently a DJ on Backspin 43, which is the old school hip hop station on the Sirius Satellite Radio service. According to an interview with I Suppose Productions, he is also currently a theology major at Nyack College working to enter the ministry. According to Blow, "Man's real telos... the real purpose in life, is to serve God."
Hard Times
Kurtis Blow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hard times spreading just like the flu
You know I caught it just like you
The prices going up, the dollars down
You got me fallin' to the ground
Turn around, get ready, check out the time
Get ready all people for the future shock
Hard times (Hard times)
To the bridge
[Bridge]
[Verse 2]
Hard times people of the planet
Times are tough, tough is granted
Hard times coming to the town
Get ready cause you know, we're gonna throw down
I'm gonna go out there and get the skills
My life's been down and I need a thrill
Hard times (Hard times)
Hard times (Hard times)
To the bridge
[Bridge]
[Verse 3]
Hard times's got my pockets all in change
I tell ya what, it don't have my brains
Will I ever-ever-ever reach my ...
We need that dollar every day of the week
Hard times you know, it's a natural trip
I'm gonna keep about it, so we'll not slip
Hard times (Hard times)
Hard times (Hard times)
To the bridge
[Bridge]
[Verse 4]
Hard times is nothing new or mean
I'm gonna use my strong mentality
Like the cream of the crop and the crop of the cream
Beating hard times, that is my dream
Hard times in life, hard times in death
I'm gonna keep on fighting 'till my very last breath
Hard times (Hard times)
Hard times (Hard times)
To the bridge
[Bridge]
[Repeat Verse 4]
[Bridge]
In Kurtis Blow's song "Hard Times," the artist speaks about the economic hardships that are rampant in society. The song starts with "Hard times spreading just like the flu; you know I caught it just like you." The flu is a highly contagious disease, and the comparison shows how economic struggles quickly infect everyone. The prices are increasing, and the value of the dollar is decreasing, causing people to fall to the ground. The future is unpredictable, leading people to prepare for the worst.
The artist encourages people to be prepared for the challenges ahead, saying, "Hard times people of the planet, times are tough, tough is granted. Hard times coming to the town, get ready cause you know, we're gonna throw down." He's never been one to back down from a challenge and encourages people to gain skills to succeed. People need to be ready for change, but that doesn't mean they should give up hope. Even though times are challenging, people should continue to fight to make it to the other end.
In summary, Kurtis Blow's song "Hard Times" describes the struggles of the economic situation and encourages people to be prepared and push through it. It's a song of hope even in uncertain times.
Line by Line Meaning
Hard times spreading just like the flu
Difficulties and challenges are becoming widespread just like a contagious disease.
You know I caught it just like you
The singer is acknowledging that they are also affected by the hard times.
The prices going up, the dollars down
The cost of living is increasing while the value of money is decreasing.
You got me fallin' to the ground
The artist is struggling to cope with the financial strain.
Turn around, get ready, check out the time
The artist is urging people to prepare and become aware of the current situation.
Get ready all people for the future shock
The future is uncertain and people need to brace themselves for what's to come.
Hard times people of the planet
Hard times are affecting people all over the world.
Times are tough, tough is granted
The difficulties being faced are tough and challenging, but are also an inevitable part of life.
Hard times coming to the town
The difficulties are not isolated, but also affect the local community.
Get ready cause you know, we're gonna throw down
The artist is encouraging listeners to prepare themselves for a struggle against these hard times.
I'm gonna go out there and get the skills
The singer is determined to acquire the necessary skills to overcome these challenges.
My life's been down and I need a thrill
The artist has experienced low points and needs something uplifting to inspire them.
Hard times's got my pockets all in change
The difficult financial situation has had an impact on the singer's financial stability.
I tell ya what, it don't have my brains
Despite the financial hardship, the singer's intelligence is unaffected.
Will I ever-ever-ever reach my ...
The singer is questioning whether they will ever achieve their goals and aspirations.
We need that dollar every day of the week
Money is a necessity for survival and everyday living.
Hard times you know, it's a natural trip
Challenging times are a natural part of life and will come and go.
I'm gonna keep about it, so we'll not slip
The singer is determined to stay aware and not let these hard times defeat them.
Hard times is nothing new or mean
Difficulties have always existed and are not necessarily cruel or malicious.
I'm gonna use my strong mentality
The artist will rely on their inner strength and resilience to overcome the challenges.
Like the cream of the crop and the crop of the cream
The artist strives to be the best and rise above the challenges.
Beating hard times, that is my dream
The artist has a dream to overcome these hard times and be successful.
Hard times in life, hard times in death
Challenges are present throughout life, even until death.
I'm gonna keep on fighting 'till my very last breath
The artist is determined to resist and fight these hard times until the end of their life.
Contributed by Colin P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@dougtheviking6503
Kurtis and all the others .Thank you for paving the way . This is alot better than what we got today . Hard times ? Just forgot I had em . Peace 😎
@dleetr
This album basically wrote the rulebook for so much hip hop and more to come.
@jasoncatalano2070
"I remember when I looked up to Kurtis Blow/... and said, "That's where I gotta go." - Big Daddy Kane on his Prince of Darkness album 1991
@AnthonyAvery
One of rap's first message rap. A rap god.
@mikecapeles2814
Still rock this joint today ✊🏿
@211bill
Rap's first male superstar.
@dailmcdavid9981
Amen
@abrahampalmer8761
Masterpiece 😎😎😇😇😇🔥🔥
@bigwarrior5777
I've never heard this until a few minutes ago and wondered who made it first Kurtis Blow or Run DMC. After reading I see that Kurtis made it first in 1980 then Run DMC a few years after
@qwammienewsome1357
Radio station played this cut big time here in Hampton Roads(Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Va Beach).
This cut, Christmas Rappin' & The Breaks.