
» RELATED: Gucci Mane to play Spotify rap tour kickoff at the Tabernacle To get an idea of original themes associated with the genre’s birth, it’s important to understand its historical context. Much of pre-1980s “hip-hop,” often encompassed party themes, but social and political issues are often recognized as the main propellers of the birth and original direction of hip-hop, according to What were hip-hop music’s original themes?

RELATED: Photos: Hip-hop stars painted as 17th century figuresĪll four of these elements already existed in August 1973, but they were recognized as separate entities by the mainstream media, NPR reported. What are the four original elements of hip-hop culture?Īside from DJYou ding and emceeing (or rapping), the other iconic original elements of the genre are graffiti and b-boying (or breakdancing). 11, 1973 bash, emcee Coke La Rock grabbed the microphone to do just that during Herc's innovative instrumental spins, adding words to the beats and with that, as Google wrote, hip-hop was born. Instead of playing the songs in full, the Jamaican-American DJ isolated their instrumentals (or “breaks”), during which he noticed the crowd went wild.īefore this time, emcees typically introduced the DJ, the music and was responsible for hyping up the crowds with jokes and stories.Īt the Aug. » RELATED: Photos: 'Legends of Southern Hip Hop' in concert According to NPR, Campbell threw his party inside the 1520 Sedgwick Avenue building in the South Bronx. The two Bronx kids decided to try something a little different while entertaining guests at their sister's back-to-school bash.

Explore » RELATED: ‘Rapper’s Delight’: 1979 song introduced rap to a mass audience In 1979, Sugarhill Gang rappers produced hip-hop's first commercially successful hit, "Rapper's Delight," according to Rap Genius. » RELATED: SCLC to launch hip-hop record labelĭJ Kool Herc, Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash are also recognized as hip-hop's founding "holy trinity," according to The Guardian.Īnd there’s also Pete DJ Jones, who was popular in the club scene. » RELATED: Study: Hip-hop has fewer drug references than any other music genreĮighteen-year-old Campbell and his friend Coke La Rock are often referred to as the fathers of hip-hop.īut according to NPR, "hip-hop has a number of fathers based on your understanding and knowledge of it." There's DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa, the two South Bronx men known for throwing parties around town.īambaataa also led Universal Zulu Nation (called “Organization” in the 1970s), a hip-hop organization meant to unite all facets of the hip-hop culture. 11, 1973, where DJ Kool Herc, real name Clive Campbell, and his friend hosted a back-to-school party in Bronx, New York.

The birth of hip hop is believed to date back to Aug. This day, 44 years ago, in NY’s West Bronx, DJ Kool Herc’s Back To School Jam spawned the culture that we now know as Hip-Hop /Zkk3y1OzVY- EMCEE August 11, 2017
