Negativity and selfishness gets great publicity in our social networking, indirect-contact society. You’d be led to believe the world’s running low on good people and that no one cares for or respects one another anymore. Their only concerns are themselves; and when they’re in need, no one is willing to lend them a hand without reward.
This is not the case. Kind, caring, selflessly-generous people still exist. Kurtis Blow is a shining example.
A breaker from Harlem, NY turned charismatic MC, Kurtis Blow was hip-hop’s first superstar. Also the first to sign a major record deal and achieve a gold-selling single, such hits as “The Breaks”, “Basketball”, and “If I Ruled the World” kept him in heavy rotation on the radio, a mainstay on the Billboard charts, and an inspiration to other artists.
Behind the scenes Kurtis proved himself a valued producer. He was the driving force behind song “King Holiday”, the classic, star-studded tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Today Kurtis is an ordained minister and motivational speaker. Leader of famed The Hip-Hop Church, he tours the world lecturing about God’s word and hip-hop culture while still finding time to rhyme and breakdance for packed audiences of adoring fans. While good at what he does, he’s also a good person and one who believes in helping others.
I asked Kurtis Blow to tell me about a time when he did something nice for someone he didn’t know. Here’s what he shared.
“I remember when I was hot-hot, very hot with the song “The Breaks”, I think it was the #1 song in the country, and I got a call from the regional program man from Polygram Records. They asked me to do a free promo show for the wife of Wilson Pickett.
She had a club down in Alabama and the club was losing money. So, they thought if I came and did an appearance at the club, she could pack the house and make some money and the club would start rolling again.
So, I said sure, let’s do it. I’d never met her, but I knew of her husband. I was a big fan. He’s a legend – rest in peace.
I went down there and did a show for the club. We had 2,000 people inside and another 3,000 outside that couldn’t get in. The joint was packed! I remember meeting John Morgan who was the drummer for James Brown, he played on a song called “I Can’t Stand It” which was one of my underground favorites by James Brown. John was playing live inside the club as an added attraction along with the DJ.
It was a very pleasant time down there in Alabama, and it was great going and doing that for the Pickett family.” |THIS
“We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let’s start giving.” – ‘We Are the World’
[Written by Mr. Joe Walker | Follow THIS on Twitter @THISENT1]
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