The Breaks

For the 1999 film, see The Breaks (1999 film). For the 2016 television film, see The Breaks (2016 film). For the Richard Price novel, see The Breaks (novel).
"The Breaks"

12" single cover
Single by Kurtis Blow
from the album Kurtis Blow
B-side "The Breaks" (Instrumental/Do It Yourself)
Released 1980
Format 12"
Recorded 1979
Genre Old school hip hop
Length 7:43
Label Mercury
Writer(s) Kurtis Blow, Robert Ford Jr., James B. Moore, Russell Simmons, Larry Smith
Producer(s) J.B. Moore, Robert Ford Jr.
Certification Gold (RIAA)
Kurtis Blow singles chronology
"Christmas Rappin'"
(1979)		 "The Breaks"
(1980)		 "Hard Times"
(1981)

"The Breaks" is a critically acclaimed 1980 hit single by Kurtis Blow from his self-titled debut album. It peaked at #87 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] It was the first certified gold rap song for Hip Hop, and the second certified gold 12 inch single in the history of music.[2]

Lyrics and structure

"The Breaks" repeats the word "break" (or any of its homophones) eighty-four 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 some statements that believe it sampled "Long Train Runnin'" by The Doobie Brothers). It has, in turn, been sampled by other, including the 2005 reggaeton single, "Chacarron Macarron" by El Chombo.

Recognitions and usage

The single hit #87 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the U.S. Billboard R&B chart,[3] and #9 on the U.S. Billboard dance chart.[4] It sold over 500,000 copies, becoming only the second 12-inch single to earn a gold certification from the RIAA, following "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" by Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer.[5][6] The background beat of this album was used in Organized Rhyme's song "Check The O.R." In 2008, the song ranked #10 on VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs. [7] The song has also featured in few games: the 2002 game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the 2005 game True Crime: New York City, the 2006 game Scarface: The World Is Yours and 2011 Kinect game Dance Central 2.

Remakes

The female rap group Nadanuf remade the song alongside Kurtis Blow on their 1997 album Worldwide.[8] Blow re-recorded the song on the album Tricka Technology by A Skillz and Krafty Kuts.

References

  1. ↑ "Kurtis Blow - Chart history | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  2. ↑ "Kurtis Blow - Biography | Billboard". www.billboard.com. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
  3. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 67.
  4. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 37.
  5. ↑ George, Nelson (1988). The Death of Rhythm & Blues. New York, NY: Pantheon Books. p. 191. ISBN 0142004081. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  6. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 10, 1985). "Hot Madonna: July Fills Her Coffers With RIAA Metal". Billboard. Billboard Publications, Inc. 97 (32): 1. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  7. ↑ "VH1's 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs". Prefixmag.com. Retrieved 2010-05-08.
  8. ↑ "Answers.com - Worldwide". Answers.com. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
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