KURTIS BLOW, RECIPIENT OF SOURCE PIONEER AWARD

Friday, October 10, 2003
By: brooklyniteOne

The Source Magazine—the reigning voice of Hip-Hop music and culture—today announced that the influential and groundbreaking rapper, producer and songwriter Kurtis Blow will be honored with the Pioneer Award at the 2003 Source Awards.

Year after year, The Source Awards, the only awards to exclusively cover Hip-Hop, single out the most powerful, dominant and innovative talents who have impacted the music, culture and lifestyle of contemporary Hip-Hop.

The Pioneer Award pays tribute to those outstanding individuals who have, over time, positively and creatively influenced this provocative and unstoppable musical revolution.

This Pioneer Award will be presented at The Source Awards on October 13th at the Miami Arena and will be broadcast in primetime during sweeps on Tuesday, November 11th on BET.

“As a man who has actively shaped the past, present and future of Hip-Hop, Kurtis Blow is a legendary and vital part of Hip-Hop history, “ said David Mays, co-founder and CEO of The Source and The Source Awards. “The Source is proud to have the opportunity to honor his indelible contributions to our music and our culture.”

Kurtis Blow, a trailblazing voice in Hip-Hop, has been there from the beginning. In 1979, at the age of twenty, Blow became the first Rapper to be signed by and release a single with a major record label. “Christmas Rappin,’” sold more than 400,000 copies and, along with the follow-up gold record “The Breaks,” became an instant classic. Blow went on to release ten albums over eleven years. In addition to his own performances, Blow has produced and worked with The Fat Boys, Run DMC, Full Force, Russell Simmons and Wyclef Jean—to name just a few. Of the honor Blow says, “after more than thirty years of Hip-Hop in my life, it’s an honor to accept The Source Pioneer Award. Rap will live forever!

Along with his enduring musical influence, Blow has translated his love for Hip-Hop and urban culture into various creative projects along a broad spectrum. He has acted and coordinated music in such movies as “Cry of the City” and “Krush Groove,” to much acclaim. As a strong cultural and social critic, Blow has contributed to various documentaries focusing on inner-city justice and the state of Hip-Hop, including “Das Leben Amerikanischer Gangs,” which he hosted and co-produced and the Miramax film “Rhyme and Reason.” He also speaks out compellingly against racism, alcohol and drug addiction. He has participated in campaigns to educate young people and the world at large on urban initiatives and alcohol and drug prevention. As a member of the music industry and the urban community, Kurtis Blow is a singular individual who has paved the way for today’s Hip-Hop artists to make a difference, both creatively and culturally.

About The Source Awards The Source Awards, “Hip-Hop’s Highest Honor,” are the preeminent awards showcasing the best of Hip-Hop music and culture. Created by The Source Magazine in 1991, the Awards celebrate the accomplishments of artists who have literally revolutionized the music industry – and the world. Since their inception, The Source Awards have made history – breaking artists, honoring Hip-Hop on national TV and providing international visibility to an emerging art form. Beginning with the first ceremony on “Yo! MTV Raps,” the Awards have grown to include 22 categories and the biggest names in entertainment. 2003 marks the sixth year of the Awards’ national telecast. The Source Awards have consistently ranked as a proven and potent means to connect with trend-setting audiences of teens and young adults. The Awards set unprecedented ratings for UPN in ’99, ’00 and ’01 – ranking #1 for teens and adults ages 18-34 (Source: NTI, 8/28/01). The Source Awards 2000 was the highest-rated show among black teens – with the exception of the Super Bowl XXXIV – delivering a 26.3 rating vs. the Super Bowl’s 26.5. The 2003 Source Awards will air in primetime during sweeps on BET on Tuesday, November 11th, 2003 at 8:00 pm (ET/PT). The first-ever “Best Of” The Source Awards (1994-99): Hip-Hop History DVD will be available to the public on October 14th, 2003.

About The Source Enterprises, Inc. Founded in 1988, The Source Magazine has grown from a one-page newsletter into the nation’s number one selling music magazine with a total audience of approximately nine million readers each month (Source: 2002 MRI 12+). The Source empire has expanded to include nationally syndicated The Source Magazine Radio Network, The Source Clothing Company, the platinum-selling Hip-Hop Hits series of compilation CDs, the annual “The Source Hip-Hop Music Awards,” the award-winning source.com and The Source Youth Foundation. Over the past eight years, The Source has achieved consistent rate base increases while growing revenues at an annual rate of approximately 30%.

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source: The Source / Kiwan Anderson /

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