In 2001, Articolo 31 collaborated with the American old school rapper Kurtis Blow on the album XChé SI!.
The song features samples from sources ranging from James Brown, Kurtis Blow and American comedian Flip Wilson.
Influenced by such musicians as James Brown, Grandmaster Flash and Kurtis Blow, their music cleverly fused rock, funk, and hip hop with maracatu and other traditional rhythms of Brazil's Northeast.
The "rhythmical rant" in "Crosseyed and Painless"—"Facts are simple and facts are straight. Facts are lazy and facts are late."—is influenced by old school rap, specifically Kurtis Blow's "The Breaks" given to Byrne by Frantz.
The tours are guided by some of hip hop's founding fathers, Grandmaster Caz, Kurtis Blow, Rahiem of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
"Take the Time" includes a sample from Frank Zappa's 1979 song "Dancin' Fool", specifically Zappa saying "Wait a minute...", as well as Kurtis Blow's 1980 song "Christmas Rappin'", in which Blow says "Hold it now..."
Kurtis Blow | Bill Kurtis | Jonathan Blow | John Blow | Blow (film) | Blow by Blow | Blow | Detmar Blow | The 81st Blow | Blow Up Records | The Plot to Blow Up the Eiffel Tower | Kurtis Mantronik's | Kurtis Blow (album) | Godfrey Blow | Frank Kurtis | Blow Ya Mind | blow |
Over the past decade, the striking, graffiti-covered warehouse has attracted several hip-hop and R&B stars, including Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Kaz, Mobb Deep, Rahzel, DJ JS-1, Boot Camp Clik, Joan Jett, and Joss Stone.
Blackman also worked as a session musician, appearing on albums by Kurtis Blow (Kingdom Blow), Bernard Wright, Najee, David Sanborn, Lenny White, Roy Ayers, Sting (Brand New Day), World Saxophone Quartet, Janet Jackson's "That's the Way Love Goes" (Remix) and Wayman Tisdale.
The song contains samples from "The Return of Leroy" by The Jimmy Castor Bunch, "Drop the Bomb" and "Let's Get Small" by Trouble Funk, "Funky Stuff" by Kool & The Gang, "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James, "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow and "La Di Da Di" by Doug E. Fresh.
The image, styles and sounds of the old school were exemplified by figures like Afrika Bambaataa, The Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash, Spoonie Gee, Newcleus, Treacherous Three, Funky Four Plus One, Kurtis Blow, Busy Bee Starski, Lovebug Starski, The Cold Crush Brothers, and Fab Five Freddy.
Songwriters: K. Mercer, D. Jolicoeur, V. Mason, R. Hodby, C. Jimenez, L. Mack
Sample: "The Breaks" by Kurtis Blow
Sample: "P.S.K. (What Does It Mean)" by Schooly D
Sample: "It's Your Rock" by Fantasy Three
Sample: "Children's Story" by Slick Rick
The forerunner of synthesizing the genres of heavy metal and hip-hop, Loeb produced chart records for 13 albums for heavy metal icons Riot and the Top 10 pop single "Amityville" for rapper Lovebug Starski which Loeb wrote with rapper Kurtis Blow.
By the end of the decade, WDAS introduced its listenership to the new genre of Rap by playing Sugarhill Gang and Kurtis Blow, and again showcasing local talent like Frankie Smith (of "Double Dutch Bus" fame).