The Birth of Hip Hop: A Look at DJ Kool Herc
On August 11th, 1973, a party was held at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York. This was no ordinary party; it was the birthplace of hip hop. The man who presided over this historic event was the birthday girl’s brother, Clive Campbell—better known to history as DJ Kool Herc.
Herc, as he was affectionately known, was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1955. He moved to the Bronx with his family in 1967, and it was here that he began to experiment with music. He was a fan of funk and soul, and was inspired by the DJs he heard playing in local clubs.
Herc began to experiment with two turntables, using them to extend the instrumental breaks of songs. He called this technique “the Merry-Go-Round”, and it was the foundation of hip hop. He also began to experiment with different techniques, such as cutting and scratching.
Herc was also a master of the microphone. He was the first to use the “call and response” technique, where he would call out to the crowd and they would respond. This technique is still used today in hip hop.
Herc was also a pioneer in the use of sampling. He would sample different songs and create new beats and rhythms. This technique has been used by countless hip hop artists since.
Herc was a major influence on the development of hip hop. He was the first to use the turntables as an instrument, and he was the first to use the microphone as a tool for communication. He was also the first to use sampling as a way to create new music.
Herc’s influence on hip hop cannot be overstated. He is widely considered to be the founding father of hip hop, and his legacy will live on for generations to come.
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