DJ Kool Herc is widely recognized as the oldest hip hop artist and DJ. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1955 and moved to the Bronx, New York in 1967. It was in the Bronx that Kool Herc began to develop his unique style of DJing, which he called “breaking”. Breaking involved playing two copies of the same record at the same time, and then mixing them together to create a new sound. This technique was revolutionary at the time, and Kool Herc quickly gained a reputation as one of the best DJs in the Bronx.

Kool Herc’s first major performance was at a “Back to School Jam” in 1973. This event is widely credited as the official beginning of hip hop music. At the event, Kool Herc spun two copies of the same record and mixed them together to create a new sound. He also began to experiment with adding spoken word and poetry to his sets, which would later become known as rapping.

Kool Herc’s influence on hip hop music cannot be overstated. He is credited with creating the “breakbeat” style of DJing, which is still used today. He also helped to popularize the use of sampling and scratching, two techniques that are essential to modern hip hop production. Kool Herc’s influence can be heard in the music of many of today’s top hip hop artists, including Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Dr. Dre.

In addition to his influence on hip hop music, Kool Herc is also credited with helping to popularize the culture of hip hop. He was one of the first DJs to bring hip hop to the mainstream, and his events helped to create a sense of community among hip hop fans. Kool Herc’s influence can still be felt today, as hip hop continues to be one of the most popular genres of music in the world.

In conclusion, DJ Kool Herc is widely recognized as the oldest hip hop artist and DJ. He is credited with creating the “breakbeat” style of DJing, as well as popularizing the use of sampling and scratching. He is also credited with helping to popularize the culture of hip hop, and his influence can still be felt today.

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