The legendary Kurtis Blow, considered one of the founders of hip-hop, paid a visit to Berklee College of Music this week, sitting down with Prince Charles Alexander, a Grammy-winning engineer who’s also a professor of music production and engineering at Berklee. Blow also chatted with students in music production, songwriting, and ensemble classes.

Blow’s career includes many firsts — first rapper to sign with a major label, first to use a sample loop, first to earn a gold record (for “The Breaks’’), and first in rap to make a music video (for “Basketball.’’)

Blow, 58, encouraged students to network while in school.

“Once you leave here, you have a calling card,’’ he said. “People usually support you when you have goals and dreams and aspirations. All doors will open.’’

There’s no question Blow’s self-titled debut LP, released in 1980, kickstarted hip-hop. In addition to his own music, Blow produced or mixed several other artists, including Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, as well as the “Krush Groove’’ soundtrack.