After heart transplant, Kurtis Blow brings ‘Nutcracker’ to Oakland
Hip-hop legend emcees holiday show Wednesday at the Paramount
Kurtis Blow is lucky to be alive.
“Man, I was supposed to be gone this year,” the legendary rapper reflected. “Doctors told me I had six months to a year to live and I better think about getting a heart transplant.”
Fortunately, he did more than just think about it and ended up having a heart transplant on Dec. 6.
Knowing what could’ve been, this founding father of hip-hop is now greeting every new day as a second chance at life.
“It’s incredible just to be in this position, waking up in the morning,” said Blow, who in 1979 became the first rapper signed to a major label. “I use to say this on Twitter all the time — ‘Good morning, thank God we all woke up.’ I have been doing that for about 10 years,” he said. “Now, when I wake up in the morning, I am living that statement — actually, literally thanking God when I open up my eyes.”
Blow is feeling hopeful and ready to perform for fans once again as he sets off on his first tour since getting the heart transplant. He is performing as part of “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” tour, a breakdancing, DJ-spinning take on Tchaikovsky’s 129-year-old ballet that plays the Paramount Theatre in Oakland on Wednesday.
Show time is 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $44-$82 at ticketmaster.com.
I recently had the chance to chat with this old school
hip-hop icon, whose bestknown songs include “Christmas Rappin’” and “The Breaks,” the latter of which was the first rap tune to be certified gold. Besides music, Blow also is an ordained minister and has hosted hiphop church services for many years.
Q
Great talking with you today, Kurtis. Given your background in the church, let’s start off on the topic of faith. What role did your faith play in helping you get through all the health concerns and your heart transplant?
A
Thank you for asking me that question. My faith in God is everything. That is why — I really believe — I’m still here today. I am a walking, living, breathing testimony of the power of God and the fact that God is still in the miracle business. Let me tell you, what I’ve been through in the last two years, I have testimony after testimony of how God
has come in and spared my life — at least three or four times with life-altering operations. Even the last one, with the transplant — I’m telling you, wow, wow. What a miracle to be able to breathe again.
Q
How are you feeling now?
A
I feel great. I’m ready to get back out there onstage and I can’t wait to do it. It’s just a blessing. I am so overjoyed, elated, happy and thankful to my Father in Heaven for making it possible. God is able.
Q
Besides being a legendary rapper, you are also an ordained minister and helped start the Hip-Hop Church in Harlem a number of years ago. Is that still going on?
A
The Hip-Hop Church is still going on in Harlem. There are about 60, 70 hip-hop churches around the country. It’s grown tremendously. I just talked
to one of my good buddies down in Tampa, Florida, with the Crossover Church. If you ever are in Tampa, go check out the Crossover Church — you will be amazed. The whole church has graffiti all around it.
They have a DJ inside. They have video screens. The technology is incredible. They have a massive choir.
Q
Tell me about “The Hip Hop Nutcracker,” which is playing the Paramount in Oakland.
A
“The Hip Hop Nutcracker” is basically a hip-hop holiday season extravaganza. It’s something for the whole family, bringing the family together in that spirt of joy, love and the holiday season. Our theme is love conquers all. You are going to see an action-packed show with the greatest breakdancers and dancers from all around the world and a DJ mixing up funky beats of hip-hop all night long. And we have a hip-hop violinist.
Q
A
We guarantee everyone will enjoy the festivities. Also, when you leave the show, you will be feeling
That sounds like a great mix.
good inside. That’s our job.
Q
Well, one of the reasons attendees will be feeling good is because they’ll get to see you onstage. What’s your role in the production?
A
I am the host and emcee of the show. So, I come out in the intro and get everyone ready for the performance. I take them back to the old school and we have a great time, standing up out of our seats and throwing our hands in the air and everybody say, “Oh, yeah!”
The last thing I do for the intro is I sing a New Year’s Eve song. In the middle of the song, I make everyone count down from 10 to 1, like it’s New Year’s Eve, and at one I want everyone to scream as loud as they can — you know, “Happy New Year!” And then when we scream, the music stops and the curtains come up and the play starts. And it starts on New Year’s Eve in 1980.