Hip-Hop 101: How did Hip-Hop Music begin?

DJ Kool Herc

Hip-Hop as we know it today is all about the MC. In the mid-1980's the rapper was pushed to the forefront of Hip-Hop culture leaving the DJ, B-Boy, and graffiti artist in the dust.

What most people don't know is that the entire genre was started by a DJ. Clive Campbell also known as DJ Kool Herc (short for Hercules) is the creator of Hip-Hop music.

Herc, a native Jamaican was a graffiti artist on the streets of New York before creating this new culture. In 1970 Campbell began his career in music by DJ'ing a birthday party for his sister Cindy at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, NY.

Kool Herc developed a technique of playing the break of a song on one turn-table and switching to a second turn-table to play the same break. This was done to stretch out the break, and allowed dancers to have their time to shine.

The people who danced at Herc's parties became known as B-Boy's and B-Girl's; B being short for break. In the early 80's mainstream media referred to this art as break-dancing, and the dancer's as breakers or break-dancers.

Herc was accompanied at his events by his friend Coke La Rock. Coke La Rock was responsible for being the Master of Ceremonies while Herc played break-beats. La Rock is the very first rapper/MC known to man.

Kool Herc's legacy should be celebrated and not forgotten. His vision has allowed many men and women to earn a living and for Hip-Hop music to be celebrated on every corner of the globe.

Kool Herc is indeed a living legend and continues to DJ at live events around the world.

 For more info: http://www.myspace.com/thefatherofhiphop