Kurtis Blow - The Breaks (US 12'') (1980)
"The Breaks" is a 1980 single by American rapper Kurtis Blow from his self-titled debut album. It peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first certified gold rap song, and the second certified gold 12-inch single. In 2008, the song ranked #10 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs.
"The Breaks" repeats the word "break" (or any of its homophones) 84 times over six and a half minutes. It features six breakdowns (seven including the outro) while there are three definitions for "break," "to break" or "brakes" used in the lyrics. Unlike most hip-hop songs which sample prerecorded funk, the funk beat in this song is original (contrary to suggestions that it sampled "Long Train Runnin'" by The Doobie Brothers).
The single hit #87 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart, and #9 on the U.S. Billboard dance chart.
It sold over 500,000 copies, becoming the first rap song to earn a gold certification from the RIAA and the second 12-inch single to earn a gold certification, following "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.
SIDE A:
The Breaks (Vocal) 7:46
SIDE B:
The Breaks (Instrumental/Do It yourself) 5:52
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Mercury - MDS-4010, Mercury – 6167.941
Format:
Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, 19 - Bestway Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1980
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Funk / Soul
CREDITS:
Lacquer Cut By – HW*
Producer – J.B. Moore, Robert Ford Jr.
Written-By – J. Moore*, K. Walker*, L. Smith*, R. Ford*, R. Simmons*
NOTES:
Printed in U.S.A.
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