The godfather of hip-hop is Kurtis Walker, professionally known as Kurtis Blow. He was the first commercially successful rapper, and also the first one to sign with a major label. Moreover, he was also the first rapper to have a certified gold record rap song. Kurtis Blow eventually became a minister, and founded the Hip Hop Church in Harlem, in which he serves as rapper, DJ, worship leader and minister.
