Read on Twitter
47 years ago today (August 11th) a back to school party went down in the South Bronx, NY that marked the start of a new genre that would take over the world.
Hip-Hop! Created by DJ Kool Herc in 1973.
Happy lap around the sun day to Hip-Hop! Here’s a hip-hop thread. (1/n) n=11
Hip-Hop! Created by DJ Kool Herc in 1973.
Happy lap around the sun day to Hip-Hop! Here’s a hip-hop thread. (1/n) n=11
Hip-hop has evolved faster than any genre throughout the years.
For example today the MC/rapper is the star & the DJs get the crowd hyped.
Back in the 70’s the DJs were the stars of the show & the MC’s got the crowd hyped.
Regardless, without the DJ there is no hip-hop.
For example today the MC/rapper is the star & the DJs get the crowd hyped.
Back in the 70’s the DJs were the stars of the show & the MC’s got the crowd hyped.
Regardless, without the DJ there is no hip-hop.
DJ Kool Herc’s genius was being the first to isolate the instrumental (breaks) portion of funk, soul, & other dance music songs.
To extend the break that compelled people to dance more, he would have two turntables to switch from one break to another. That’s called breakbeat.
To extend the break that compelled people to dance more, he would have two turntables to switch from one break to another. That’s called breakbeat.
The MC: The first MCs like Coke La Rock would improvise (freestyle) rhymes like “You rock and you don’t stop” to keep the party fun.
He would also shoutout friends who were at the party to make them feel special.
Later rappers got more poetic & developed more complex rhymes.
He would also shoutout friends who were at the party to make them feel special.
Later rappers got more poetic & developed more complex rhymes.
B-Boys & B-Girls: The dancers are parties made it a thing to dance on cardboard because the cardboard provided a slicker surface that made it easier to do more complex moves on.
Contrary to popular belief they weren’t called “breakdancers.” They were called “breakers.”
Contrary to popular belief they weren’t called “breakdancers.” They were called “breakers.”
Graffiti artists were the icing to the hip hop cake that illustrated optimistic and hopeful messages of hip-hop.
People of the 70’s were experiencing the negative effects drugs had on the community and that was expressed in early hip hop music and graffiti art.
People of the 70’s were experiencing the negative effects drugs had on the community and that was expressed in early hip hop music and graffiti art.
Hip-Hop was very anti-mainstream and funk music focused.
Hip-hop DJs weren’t even allowed at the discos for a long time which made many of them rebel against disco music in general, although hip-hop of the late 70’s early 80’s sampled disco music.
Hip-hop DJs weren’t even allowed at the discos for a long time which made many of them rebel against disco music in general, although hip-hop of the late 70’s early 80’s sampled disco music.
My mom and dad are from the Bronx, NY so I have first hand accounts of hip-hop at its infancy.
If you want to hear a song that gives an overview of some of the most influential figures in hip-hop I recommend Old School by the late great Tupac Shakur.
If you want to hear a song that gives an overview of some of the most influential figures in hip-hop I recommend Old School by the late great Tupac Shakur.
Fast forward from 1973 to today hip-hop is a multibillion dollar industry as well as the most impactful genre of the youth.
Some still criticize hip-hop from what they hear on mainstream platforms, but neglect the fact that there’s all kinds of hip-hop that blend genres.
Some still criticize hip-hop from what they hear on mainstream platforms, but neglect the fact that there’s all kinds of hip-hop that blend genres.
What hip-hop originally stood for is peace, love, unity, & having fun. Although hip-hop was started by a black man many races both men and women contributed as either DJs, MCs, B-boys/girls, or graffiti artists.
It’s the only genre that openly accepts you no matter who you are.
It’s the only genre that openly accepts you no matter who you are.
Hip hop is the offspring of MLK’s dream of unity between all races. It isn’t black music. Hip-hop is music for everyone. Hear it below from the originator himself. Thanks for reading and thank you Kool Herc for hip-hop!(11/11)
