{"id":1660,"date":"2024-11-20T11:46:51","date_gmt":"2024-11-20T16:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/?p=1660"},"modified":"2024-11-20T11:46:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-20T16:46:54","slug":"dj-kool-herc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc","title":{"rendered":"DJ Kool Herc"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I grew up in the Bronx, where hip-hop was born,&#8221; &#8220;I was born and raised in the Bronx, so I call it home,&#8221; and &#8220;Through struggle and pain, we rise in the Bronx.&#8221; These are just a few snippets from rap tracks inspired by the Bronx, the birthplace of both rap and hip-hop. Rap became the foundational element of hip-hop, a culture that emerged in this New York borough. At its genesis stood Kool Herc, a trailblazer whose story is explored in detail by <a href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/\">bronxski.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/2_cmdaftqvsoc_3a-kamqpf-uu9on8rprzvlhzbgwfedkqrbyzszpj-3hf0djdnto9ymi46bkm0mjrmxd7h-0jkxze6lqfpb73-trwncfurpbmf6fsysc7nzgfzqtyvzchljbwzyfz_dcxgz7qjlt0sgm.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6e44bad628f\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a6e44bad628f\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc\/#Rap_and_Hip-Hop\" >Rap and Hip-Hop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc\/#Causes_and_Preconditions_for_the_Rise_of_Hip-Hop_Culture\" >Causes and Preconditions for the Rise of Hip-Hop Culture<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc\/#Kool_Herc_and_the_Birth_of_Hip-Hop\" >Kool Herc and the Birth of Hip-Hop<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc\/#Musical_Career\" >Musical Career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc\/#Kool_Hercs_Legacy\" >Kool Herc\u2019s Legacy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/eternal-1660-dj-kool-herc\/#The_End_of_His_Career\" >The End of His Career<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rap_and_Hip-Hop\"><\/span>Rap and Hip-Hop<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As noted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.artcenter.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">people.artcenter.edu<\/a>, rap is the ultimate creative expression of America\u2019s minority communities, including African, Oceanic, Latin American, and Caribbean populations. However, many older Americans view rap music not as art but as a fleeting trend they hope will fade away. Regardless of opinion, rap maintains a strong presence in the music industry today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And what about hip-hop? Hip-hop is more than just music\u2014it is a street dance style intrinsically tied to music and culture. It incorporates elements like breakdancing, locking, and popping. To understand DJ Kool Herc, one must also understand rap and hip-hop. Similarly, studying American rap music requires delving into the broader culture of hip-hop, within which rap exists as a vital yet distinct component.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/2_qgdrasrwj7hgsiifzkrygttsczgtmcpq8-yrv8utaause_rrcyoysbkqarymez5fuxu81pc9ezfv7-9f3z7uxwc4xs9piixpnbgmfw9an-gbnfjfvqtouvozakuushdruhxvsobwb7pbhouc4caryp0.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Causes_and_Preconditions_for_the_Rise_of_Hip-Hop_Culture\"><\/span>Causes and Preconditions for the Rise of Hip-Hop Culture<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hip-hop is not only music but also graffiti, breakdancing, fashion, and the people who embody this culture. Its emergence was influenced by several factors. In 1959, Robert Moses, a key figure in New York City\u2019s urban development, began constructing an expressway through the Bronx. This project displaced Irish, German, Italian, and Jewish middle-class communities, replacing them with impoverished African-American and Latino families. Alongside these new residents came poverty, crime, drug addiction, and unemployment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/image.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1203\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/image.png 600w, https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/image-300x300.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 1968, a cooperative housing complex with 15,382 units was completed in the Bronx, adjacent to the expressway. This project prompted the departure of the middle class, leaving behind numerous vacant apartments and neglected buildings. Landlords began renting out properties to low-income tenants, leading to further urban decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another key factor was the rise of street gangs. Moses\u2019s housing project contributed to the emergence of groups like the Bronxdale-based teenage gang, which inspired other gangs across the borough. Over time, smaller gangs were absorbed by larger ones, and some turned to drug dealing, while others faded from prominence. A lasting legacy of these gangs was the rise of graffiti, which became a crucial element of hip-hop culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As hip-hop developed, graffiti artists formed groups, the first and largest of which was the Ex-Vandals. Another notable group was the Independent Writers. Graffiti artists often listened to music while they worked, and Jamaican music had a particularly strong influence on the spread of their art and culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/2_xoe0yfjfb1boaxrvh1ldgiuqds2iasg5pnwswijkou2b_tu3gvtdwft0vpjwaixgl-smnnr4-uv8dd31f97ucs_6ml1ism9ebyfyc1geroujfplv9qsa1ychuop4wtea9sm4ghttj5jffhsqy6mabms.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kool_Herc_and_the_Birth_of_Hip-Hop\"><\/span>Kool Herc and the Birth of Hip-Hop<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clive Campbell, better known as Kool Herc, was born on April 16, 1955, in Kingston, Jamaica. At age 12, he moved with his family to the Bronx. He attended Alfred E. Smith High School, where he spent significant time in the gym, earning him the nickname Hercules due to his height and fitness. However, he also became involved with the graffiti crew Ex-Vandals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herc\u2019s musical journey began when he convinced his father to buy him a copy of James Brown&#8217;s <em>Sex Machine<\/em>. This exclusive record attracted friends to his home on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, where Herc began his DJ career. He wanted to improve dance music by isolating the instrumental breaks in songs. These brief rhythmic interludes were popular with dancers, and Herc sought to extend them. His approach became a cornerstone of hip-hop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herc\u2019s innovation involved using two copies of the same record on different turntables. By playing the breakbeat on one turntable and switching to the other, he created a continuous rhythm loop. This technique, known as &#8220;the Merry-Go-Round,&#8221; captivated audiences and drove the youth of the Bronx to his parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/2_ldki_wpwi1oxvcx45xt_sfjkkht7lgspc8rovyyde_gauhs8rkmy6xitqeud5-goprnkmzebs7vqe6fv-qstlh_fgeyamkq_z2qmdzwlx5vsaidp7vlo7vn1srwv1dq6-wnm_4iydccdbz45zjdhmza.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Musical_Career\"><\/span>Musical Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herc\u2019s first DJ gig was at the Twilight Zone in 1973. His reputation grew quickly. Alongside his music, Herc became known for his powerful sound system. He connected two turntables to two amplifiers and used Shure\u2019s &#8220;Vocal Master&#8221; speaker system. When Herc hosted a party in the park, it was a massive event that drew large crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By 1975, Herc was performing at the Hevalo in the Bronx. He had previously played at Sparkle on Jerome Avenue, as well as Twilight Zone, Executive Playhouse, and other venues like PAL on 183rd Street and Dodge and Taft high schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herc coined the term &#8220;b-boy&#8221; (break boy) and is humorously referred to as the &#8220;oldest b-boy.&#8221; To protect his innovations, Herc began removing labels from his records to prevent competitors from copying his beats. As his turntable skills intensified, he needed someone to engage the crowd, leading to the concept of an emcee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herc\u2019s sister Cindy played a crucial role in his success. She created flyers announcing his events, managed his style, and contributed significantly to spreading hip-hop music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.bronxski.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/51\/2023\/07\/2_waxhrck89vpsihbdh1gzls8m4i2ci6puyjo7sl7jch9rxj_pbuledlmnpjstyflwbbqgaeleqlpdznnoxbh6ecchblfjpv78bculgtqzdvwo0fwxxlyyoncljxi6valtovoms_fnu0jri3-tgxw12j0.png\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kool_Hercs_Legacy\"><\/span>Kool Herc\u2019s Legacy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kool Herc is celebrated not only for pioneering hip-hop but also for introducing rhyming into the genre. His music featured call-and-response phrases like &#8220;B-boys, b-girls, are you ready?&#8221; and &#8220;In time, everybody! Don\u2019t stop!&#8221; For these contributions, he is known as the &#8220;Father of Hip-Hop&#8221; and a &#8220;folk hero of culture.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_End_of_His_Career\"><\/span>The End of His Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Herc\u2019s career began to decline in 1977 as new acts like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five gained prominence. During one of his parties, Herc was stabbed three times, an incident that significantly impacted his health and career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of Herc\u2019s last major parties took place in 1984 at Old School. In 1994, he contributed to the album <em>Terminator X &amp; the Godfathers of Threatt Super Bad<\/em>. In 2005, he appeared in the musical <em>Top 5 (Dead or Alive)<\/em>. In 2006, Herc participated in the Smithsonian Institution\u2019s hip-hop celebration, solidifying his place in history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I grew up in the Bronx, where hip-hop was born,&#8221; &#8220;I was born and raised in the Bronx, so I call it home,&#8221; and &#8220;Through struggle and pain, we rise in the Bronx.&#8221; These are just a few snippets from rap tracks inspired by the Bronx, the birthplace of both rap and hip-hop. Rap became [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":367,"featured_media":1207,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[187],"tags":[909,911,905,910,914,912,913,907,908,916,878,915,906,903,904],"moimportance":[29],"motype":[196],"moformat":[76],"class_list":["post-1660","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-show-business","tag-b-boy-culture","tag-breakbeat-pioneer","tag-breakdance-history","tag-bronx-dj-scene","tag-bronx-music-history","tag-cindy-campbell","tag-dj-kool-herc-2","tag-father-of-hip-hop","tag-graffiti-and-hip-hop","tag-herc-sound-system","tag-hip-hop-origins","tag-jamaican-music-influence","tag-merry-go-round-technique","tag-sedgwick-avenue","tag-twilight-zone-parties","moimportance-aktualna-bilshe-roku","motype-eternal","moformat-longread-short"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1660","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/367"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1660"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1660\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1661,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1660\/revisions\/1661"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1660"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1660"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1660"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=1660"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=1660"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bronxski.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=1660"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}