Released: 1980
Yo, check it—Kurtis Blow’s “Hard Times” ain’t just a track, it’s a whole vibe encapsulating the struggle. He’s laying out the grind of the daily hustle, the pressure of that almighty dollar, and the universal struggle that binds us.Blow kicks off the joint with a metaphor that’s as contagious as the flu—hard times. It’s not just localized; it’s epidemic, spreading through the hoods and touching everybody. Kurtis then flips the script to economics—highlighting inflation and the declining value of the dollar. That feeling of economic desperation? It’s like getting knocked to the ground in a boxing match, a metaphor for how these troubles can leave you feeling defeated.
In the call to action, “Turn around, get ready, check out the time,” Kurtis is sounding the alarm. “Future shock” hints at the idea that what’s coming ain’t sweet—it’s a warning that we need to brace ourselves for even tougher times. But Blow ain’t just about laying down; he’s also about rallying the troops because when the going gets tough, the tough get going—and in this case, “throw down” means to step up and face the challenges head-on.
The pursuit of skills, that craving for a thrill—Kurtis is speaking to the need for self-improvement and escapism when life’s got you down. Despite financial strain, as he mentions with “Hard times’s got my pockets all in change,” he’s staying sharp, not letting his intellect be depreciated like currency. He’s chasing that paper daily but recognizes the mind’s role in enduring and surviving these hard times—it’s a mental trip as much as it is a financial grind.
Homie ain’t about to let the struggle define him, nah. He’s talking about using “strong mentality” to rise above, comparing himself to the “cream of the crop”—another way of saying he aims to be the best, even in the worst of circumstances. For Kurtis, beating hard times is the ultimate dream, an aspiration that pushes him forward. And that determination carries through to the very end—Blow vows to fight these hard times until his last breath, underlining the resilience and endurance born from the struggle.
In essence, “Hard Times” by Kurtis Blow ain’t just a groove—it’s a manifesto of perseverance, a blueprint of survival in the concrete jungle. Kurtis is schooling us all on the necessity of grit, skill, and mental toughness to conquer the trials and tribulations that are as real on the streets as they are in the ledgers.
