Kurtis Blow’s classic song describes numerous unfortunate situations that people go through and have to deal with because, well, those are the breaks. Along the way he uses a variety of definitions of the word ‘breaks’ (and its homophone ‘brakes’).

This was the first rap song to have a chorus. And it was the first rap single to be certified Gold in August 1980.

In September 1980, “The Breaks” officially became the second rap single (the first released by a major label) to appear on the Hot 100, peaking at #87.

In 2012, Rolling Stone named it the #40 greatest hip hop song of all time).