Rapper Kurtis Blow is rhyming for the Lord

Rapper "Kurtis Blow" has a lot of "firsts" to his name.

First hip-hop artist to be signed by a major record label, first to release an album for a major label, first to endorse a soft drink, Sprite, in an advertisement. He's opened for reggae master Bob Marley and sung duets with the legendary Bob Dylan.

Kurtis Blow, whose real name is Kurtis Walker, has bragging rights.

But in 1992, he kicked his ego out and asked the Holy Spirit to move in. And now he's rapping to a different beat.

"I was the King of Rap," he says in a phone interview. "But I know now this talent was a gift from God. I didn't know that it was God giving me all those things so I could further the Kingdom."

Currently, Walker is on tour, appearing in concerts across the country and promoting his newest album with his gospel-influenced hip-hop group, The Trinity. Sunday, he'll be in Tampa's Crossover Church, which caters to urban youth.

This tour, unlike the days before he became a Christian, has a different focus. It's not just about entertainment and profits.

"Our basic mission, our basic story, is to spread the Gospel," he says. "We just thank God for the opportunity that he is using us to make this happen."

Walker says he is "far from perfect." But he does strive to be an example to youth. On Aug. 15, he will be ordained as a minister in South Carolina.

His journey in faith has been a gradual process.

"Some people have testimonies where God hit them, and they fell down shaking. It didn't happen like that for me," he recalls. "I had to learn how to live Christ-like. It's a walk."

Fortunately, "God is a patient God and he'll slow walk you," he says with a laugh.

He acknowledges that hip-hop has changed a lot in the last two decades, diverging from songs such as "Christmas Rappin," one of Walker's old-school tunes, to "Murder Ink," a song on Dr. Dre's most recent album.

"I recorded 250 rap songs, and I never cursed," he says. "I grew up in the days when hip-hop was fun. It was wholesome." Part of his mission these days is to redeem the genre.

"Father, Son & Holy Ghost," his new album with The Trinity, will feature lyrics with a clear Christian message.

He's seeking converts with kindness, not condemnation.

"We're not trying to judge anyone," he says. "We all need a chance for a change in our lives."

KURTIS BLOW APPEARANCE

WHAT: Testimony and performance by Kurtis Blow

WHEN: 10 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. services Sunday

WHERE: Crossover Church, 7809 N. Orleans Ave., Tampa

INFORMATION: (813) 935-8887 or go to www.crossoverchurch.org