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Hip Hop’s Origin Story, Told by the Legends Who Lived It

Before hip-hop was a global industry, Kurtis Blow remembers building the culture in a New York where “we had nothing.”

NashostKurtis BlowguestRev RunguestRoxanne Shantéguest

Oct 31, 202624mWatch on YouTube ↗

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EPISODE INFO

Released: October 31, 2026
Duration: 24m
Channel: a16z
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Before hip-hop was a global industry, Kurtis Blow remembers building the culture in a New York where “we had nothing.” In this Paid in Full fireside chat, Nas, Rev Run, and Roxanne Shanté celebrate one of hip-hop’s foundational artists and trace the influence he had on the generations that followed. Kurtis takes Nas back to 1970s Harlem, when hip-hop wasn’t even called hip-hop, and explains how disco, DJing, block parties, and a city in crisis helped give rise to a new culture. Rev Run shares how Kurtis took him under his wing as a teenager, from carrying records and DJing his shows to developing the stage presence that would eventually define Run-DMC. And Nas explains why Kurtis’ “If I Ruled the World” meant enough to him to revisit it with Lauryn Hill years later. The conversation closes with Roxanne Shanté reflecting on what Paid in Full is ultimately about: recognizing the passion, accomplishments, and contributions of the pioneers who helped make hip-hop what it is today. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 0:47 Built From Nothing: Hip Hop's Origins 5:19 Hip Hop Was "Ghetto Disco" 7:02 A Fake ID and Every Disco in New York 9:27 Meeting Russell Simmons (and Little Joey) 12:12 Breakfast, Flyers, and "My Heart" 16:17 Krush Groove and "This Is My House" 18:43 Bob Marley, Prince, and the Jheri Curl 20:32 "If I Ruled the World" and Lauryn Hill 23:00 Paid in Full: The Final Tribute Resources: Learn more about the Paid in Full Foundation: https://paidinfullfoundation.org Follow Kurtis Blow on X: https://x.com/KurtisBlow1 Follow Nas on X: https://x.com/Nas Follow Rev Run on X: https://x.com/RevRunWisdom Follow Roxanne Shanté on X: https://x.com/ImroxanneShante Stay Updated: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with your friends! Find a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Listen to the a16z Show on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5bC65RDvs3oxnLyqqvkUYX Listen to the a16z Show on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a16z-podcast/id842818711 Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see http://a16z.com/disclosures.

SPEAKERS

Nas
host
Grammy-winning rapper and songwriter, known for landmark albums like Illmatic and for hits including “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.
Kurtis Blow
guest
Pioneering hip hop MC, widely recognized as the first rapper signed to a major record label and known for early classics like “The Breaks.”
Rev Run
guest
Founding member of Run-DMC (as “Run”) and early hip hop icon associated with Rush Productions and the genre’s commercial breakthrough era.
Roxanne Shanté
guest
Influential pioneering MC and battle rapper from Queensbridge, a key early figure in hip hop’s formative years.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of a16z, featuring Nas and Kurtis Blow, Hip Hop’s Origin Story, Told by the Legends Who Lived It explores Nas honors Kurtis Blow, recounting hip hop’s “built-from-nothing” beginnings Nas hosts a legacy-focused conversation honoring Kurtis Blow as an architect of early hip hop before it became a global business.

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