The album Kurtis Blow – Kurtis Blow uses funky grooves and guitar twinges over rap lyrics. A majority of this album was filled with party rap. However Kurtis Blow displays his storytelling skills on songs such as Way Out West, All I Want in This World (Is to Find That Girl), and Throughout Your Years. Rap at this time was still in its infancy had not become a widely accepted household genre except in urban areas. Kurtis Blow – Kurtis Blow was one of the first commercially successful rap albums on a major label from 1980.
Way Out West told the story of a stranger who came from Harlem to the West (western part of the United States) that rode into town on a big black steed lookin for a man named Ganamede. The two men engage in a showdown which transitions into a dance-off. Throw down at the showdown! Way Out West displayed and showcased Kurtis Blow’s storytelling skills.
There came a stranger dressed in black from a Harlem Town. Coming from the place you’d expect the least. Way out west from way back east to say the very least. He had a Stetson hat with a band of gold. and eyes like steel that would make your blood run cold. He had a microphone hanging by his side ready to be amplified.
The stranger rode into town on a big black steed lookin for a man named Ganamede. He got word this man would just not get down. The stranger came to the assumption that if he rocks this world, then he can rock this town! And when they asked the stranger for his name, he said “Kurtis Blow, I play the rappin’ game. I can do the do. I can do the deed. And tonight I’m gonna rock Ganamede!”
Now Ganamede thought he was cool. He wore Gucci shoes and had a fancy school. A fancy job in a big corporation. Fancy girls all across the nation. Fancy friends and fancy dough. Only one thing he wouldn’t do is let himself get down with you. The stranger went to the old saloon, grabbed his mic and spun a tune. Everyone in the whole darn place said, “Do the rap and set that pace!” He rapped them down and out. He made them dance and shout.
At midnight, Ganamede came in to watch the dancers move and spin. He took a seat over by the bar and started smoking a big cigar. Then he said, “I’ll admit the stranger isn’t bad. But tonight I’m gonna make him sad ’cause I don’t care about the groove. There ain’t no dude gonna make me move!”
The joint was jumpin’ hard at one. Things were really fly at 2 AM. But Ganamede was havin’ none. The stranger rapped and the tension grew. Ganamede maintained his cool. He thought to himself, “I’ll make the stranger play the fool ’cause I don’t care about the groove. There ain’t no dude gonna make me move!”
The showdown came at 3 o’clock. The stranger said, “I’m gonna make you rock. I’m gonna make you move. Gonna make you dance. They’re gonna take you out in an ambulance Now everybody lend a hand. I’m gonna make you be the band. There ain’t no jive. No superstition. We’re gonna have a little demolition. Get down! Now stomp your feet to the funky beat. Just clap your hands And let the beat expand. Let me hear the bass. Put it in my face. Let the guitar play. Just put it away. And now I think we’ve got the groove. So Ganamede, get up and move!”
Now everyone looked at the bar at the lonely man with the big cigar. He began to move and shake. He’d had as much as he could take. Suddenly his body collapsed to the floor. Then the crowd began to roar. The stranger just had done the deed. He rocked the house with Ganamede.
Kurtis Blow talked his dream to become a rapper on Throughout Your Years. He explained how a little hard work and dedication can go a long way. Like an Oscar-winning actor, the man called Kurtis Blow is playing a role. Throughout Your Years also explored the ups and downs, highs and lows of life.
When he wasn’t the best, there was something in his head. To be a rapper was his dream. Like an Oscar-winning actor when he is playing a role. So he goes out of his way to be the best he can be. Now here he is rapping at the jam with the all the fly guys and the young ladies. The man called Kurtis Blow is the man with the mic who rocks the house.
When it started out, the way wasn’t clear. There was much confusion and a lot of fear going inside of his head internally. Kurtis was walking in the shadow searching for the light. Because it ain’t all champagne and caviar. Living in the star life of luxury. Riding around the town in the finest car.
Kurtis Blow explained how a little hard work and dedication can go a long way. A thousand things can hold you back and try to run you off the track. So you got to believe you can be the best. You got to work real hard to achieve success. Believe and you can achieve anything in life. Believe and achieve.
I rate this album 5/5*****!
