Kurtis Blow - The Breaks (US 12'') (1980)

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.