The Breaks
Kurtis Blow
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
Ho! Ho! Ho! Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Kemosabi, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Apache, jump on it, jump on it, wowowowowowowowowo! A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga I'm Big Bank, I am the Chief I got a lot of raps but I'll be real I never need a horse I like to chill so I, drive up in my new Seville My Tribe went down in the hall of fame Cause I'm the one who shot Jesse James Pound for pound, I will never break down (Big Bank!) No sir, I don't mess around Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Kemosabi, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Apache, jump on it, jump on it, wowowowowowowowowo! A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga Like Kemosabi, of course it's me I'm better known as the Master G A firing squad, sensed the danger When they're stung by the rapping ranger Had a little talk with my medicine man He said, "Get them squaws, fast as you can" To all you girls, that want to join my Tribe Just move to my rhythm, and feel my vibe Put up a fuss, in the end you'll agree When you come inside, my tee-pee As I said before, you could sense the danger When you're stung by the rapping ranger When Silver and I, take a route All you suckers better step aside I sting squaws, then I run away Heyo Silver, is what I say! Ho! Ho!! Hit it gang! Ho! Ho! Ho! Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Kemosabi, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Apache, jump on it, jump on it, wowowowowowowowowo! A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga A pow-wow, just rock it out Finger poppin' to the break of dawn Keep it rockin' like the stuff that we call maize (What's that?) Hot buttered popcorn You just hippa-hoppa-dippa-boppa bang the boogie Woogie betcha want to boogie again And you can put me to the test at your request I rock you out of your moccasin Kemosabi got down, took off his mask He kicked off his shoes and did the Monster Mash Tommy came along, saw what was happenin' His head began to boppin' his foot start to clappin' Go slam, dunk, do the jerk And with the mic is how my smoke signals work They were jammin' off a record that said it best: "Now what you hear is not a test!" Aowowowowowowowowowowowo A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga Aowowowowowowowowowowowo A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Kemosabi, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Apache, jump on it, jump on it, wowowowowowowowowo! A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Kemosabi, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it Apache, jump on it, jump on it, wowowowowowowowowo! A-hunga-hunga-hunga-hunga
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: Lawrence Smith, Russell Simmons, J. B. Moore, Robert Ford, Kurtis Blow, Kurt Walker
Lyrics © MUSIC MANAGEMENT, BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Historical Context"The Breaks" was released in 1980 and is widely known as one of the earliest commercially successful rap songs.
|
Artist's ReputationKurtis Blow was the first rapper to sign with a major record label, which was Mercury.
|
Chart Performance"The Breaks" reached the number 87 spot on Billboard Hot 100, marking it as one of the first mainstream hip-hop songs to achieve this honor.
|
Sales Success"The Breaks" was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 500,000 copies, making it one of the first rap songs to receive this certificate.
|
Song CompositionThe song features a unique switch-up between rapping and singing, a feature less common in the early days of hip hop.
|
Cultural ImpactThe term "The Breaks," as used in the song, is a popular idiom meaning "life's ups and downs."
|
Use of Famed Breakbeat"The Breaks" utilizes the famous "Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll" breakbeat from Vaughan Mason & Crew, marking one of the earliest uses of sampling in hip-hop.
|
LongevityThe song's popularity has remained high even decades after its release, and it has been covered, remixed, and sampled by numerous artists, demonstrating its lasting influence on the music industry.
|
InfluenceKurtis Blow's performance of "The Breaks" on Soul Train was one of the first times an artist performed a rap song on television, which opened doors for future hip-hop artists to branch into TV performances.
|
RecognitionRolling Stone magazine named "The Breaks" as one of the 50 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs of All Time, showcasing Kurtis Blow's significant contribution to the genre.
|
Visual Asset"The Breaks'" music video is one of the earliest representations of hip-hop culture and street dance on film.
|
Legacy"The Breaks" has been featured in various media, including films and advertisements, due to its catchy beat and widespread popularity.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"The Breaks Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/30500710/Kurtis+Blow/The+Breaks>.
Discuss the The Breaks Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In