For my first 'Back in the Day' post I have decided to touch on what will be hip hop's 45's birthday. Or at least celebrate the day that sparked the culture and movement. And yes, I'm posting a day early before that special day. Or at least posting it early on my side of the planet. Don't want anyone to miss the big day, right?
On August 11, 1973, the man we all know as DJ Kool Herc (Clive Campbell) threw a 'Back to School Jam' in his apartment complex at the request of his younger sister. The party actually took place in the rec room of Kool Herc's apartment building and it was there that people would witness the method of locating and using the stripped down rhythm section of a record. We all know this technique as finding 'the break' on a vintage funk, RnB and/or soul record from the 1960s or the 1970s, and then using two of the same record to keep repeating the groove.
While Kool Herc was performing, a friend of his who went by the name of Cook La Rock, began to shout out the name of people at the party and rapping into the microphone. So along with seeing Hip Hop's first DJ in action for the first time, Hip Hop's first Emcee was also born. And from that day, Kool Herc's technique was carried by other DJ's from the parks of New York City to locations worldwide, making Hip Hop what it is today.
As I'm sure you already know, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue Bronx, New York, was the address of Kool Herc's apartment. if you haven't been to New York before, this is a place that you must visit.
So to finish off, a big THANK YOU to Kool Herc, Coke La Rock and of course, Herc's sister for wanting the party in the first place. Salute!