Move over Rakim, Kool G. Rap, and Q-Tip in the argument about which is the most influential rapper of all time. According to hip-hop legend, Kurtis Blow, the man known simply as Future is highly influential to him and doesnt get the respect that he deserves.
Future should get more respect than he does, Blow wrote in a Reddit AMA discussion about the state of hip-hop. Hes an incredible rapper that doesnt get the credit he deserves. Maybe even David Banner, whose activism doesnt get enough attention.
Kurtis Blow was a successful rapper, DJ, and producer in the 1980s. He gained recognition for his single The Breaks, which became the first gold record rap song in hip-hop. Hes also responsible for the certified-jam, If I Ruled The World.
Blow also accredited Kendrick Lamar as one of his favorite artists and dubbed Gucci Mane a legend for recognizing him at an airport.
While the respectable old head contingent of Lord Jamar, Pete Rock, and other veteran rap artist’s being extremely critical of the new era of mumble rappers, and drug addiction laced wordplay, Blow admitted that he likes some of the new sounds and variations of the art form.
I am actually proud to be in hip-hop, he wrote. It is the No.1 genre in the world. 25 percent of all music streamed is hip-hop, and everyone involved should get the credit and the props, and my hat goes off to everyone involved who made it the success it is today.
Hip-hop is a culture and rapping is an art form turned global phenomenon and career path for those inclined in today’s day and age. The nineties produced possibly the greatest hip-hop minds ever discovered in The Notorious B.I.G, Jay-Z, Nas, Tupac, Talib Kweli and so many more. With the new generation mainly ditching the lyrical exercise in exchange for a hard-hitting bass line and infectious chorus creation, Blow sees the game’s evolution as a positive.
