DJ Kool Herc facts for kids
Quick facts for kids DJ Kool Herc |
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DJ Kool Herc in New York, 2006
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Clive Campbell |
| Also known as |
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| Born | April 16, 1955 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Origin | The Bronx, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | DJ |
| Years active | 1973–present |
| Associated acts |
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Clive Campbell (born April 16, 1955), known as DJ Kool Herc, is a Jamaican American DJ. Many people say he helped create hip hop music in the Bronx, New York City, in 1973. He is often called the "Father of Hip-Hop."
Kool Herc started by playing funk records. He noticed that dancers especially loved the short, drum-heavy parts of songs. These parts are called "breaks." He used two turntables and two copies of the same record. This allowed him to play the break over and over again. This way of DJing, using funky drum solos, became the foundation of hip hop music. His shouts and encouragement to the dancers also led to the rhythmic speaking style known as rapping.
He called the dancers "break-boys" and "break-girls," or simply b-boys and b-girls. These terms are still used today in breaking. Other famous DJs like Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash quickly adopted his style. In 2023, DJ Kool Herc was honored by being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Contents
The Story of DJ Kool Herc
Early Life and Moving to New York
Clive Campbell was born in Kingston, Jamaica. As a child, he saw and heard "sound systems" at neighborhood parties. These parties were called dance halls. He also heard the DJs "toasting," which meant speaking over the music.
When he was 12, in November 1967, his family moved to The Bronx, New York City. They lived at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. At school, his height and basketball skills earned him the nickname "Hercules." He later joined a graffiti crew and started using the name Kool Herc.
Herc's first sound system was simple. It had two turntables, two amplifiers, and a PA system with two speakers. He played popular records like James Brown's "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose." At that time, clubs in the Bronx had problems with gangs. Other DJs played music for older crowds. Commercial radio also played music for different age groups. This meant there was a big audience for Herc's parties. His sister, Cindy, helped him organize and promote these events.
How the "Break" Changed Music
DJ Kool Herc created a special style that became a key part of hip hop music. He focused on the "break" in a song. This is a short, drum-heavy part that dancers loved. To make the break last longer, Herc used two record players. As one record finished its break, he would quickly start the second record at the beginning of the same break. This allowed him to turn a short part of a song into a "five-minute loop of fury."
He called this technique "The Merry-Go-Round." It meant he would switch between different breaks at the peak of the party. Herc said he first used this in 1973. One early "Merry-Go-Round" involved playing James Brown's "Give It Up or Turnit a Loose." Then he would switch to the break from "Bongo Rock" by The Incredible Bongo Band. From there, he would switch to the break from "The Mexican" by the band Babe Ruth.
Kool Herc also helped develop the rhyming style of hip hop. He would speak phrases over the music, like "Rock on, my mellow!" and "B-boys, b-girls, are you ready?" For his important work, Time magazine called him the "Founding Father of Hip Hop."
On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc was the DJ and emcee at a party. His younger sister, Cindy, hosted it at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. She wanted to earn money for school clothes. So, she decided to throw a party where her 18-year-old brother would play music for their neighbors. She made flyers and organized the whole event.
The Birth of B-Boys and B-Girls
The "b-boys" and "b-girls" were the dancers who moved to Herc's breaks. Their dancing was described as "breaking." Herc explained that "breaking" was also street slang at the time. It meant "getting excited" or "acting energetically." Herc created the terms "b-boy," "b-girl," and "breaking." These words became a lasting part of what we now call hip hop culture.
In the early 1980s, the media started calling this dance style "breakdance." The New York Times later wrote that it was "an art as demanding and inventive as mainstream dance forms." Since this new culture didn't have a name yet, people often called themselves "b-boys." This term included more than just dancers and is still used in hip hop culture today.
Taking the Music to the Streets
Kool Herc became a local hero in the Bronx. People knew him from his graffiti name, his tall size, and his popular parties. He started playing at bigger places like clubs and high schools. His sound system, known for being very loud, also moved to the streets and parks of the Bronx.
His Influence on Other Artists
In 1975, a young DJ named Grandmaster Flash looked up to Kool Herc. Flash started DJing in Herc's style. By 1976, Flash and his MCs, The Furious Five, were playing to huge crowds. However, venue owners were often worried about large, energetic young crowds. So, hip hop soon moved back to community centers and school gyms in the Bronx.
Afrika Bambaataa first heard Kool Herc in 1973. Bambaataa, who was a leader in a gang, got his own sound system in 1975. He also began to DJ in Herc's style. He even encouraged his followers to join the non-violent Universal Zulu Nation. Kool Herc started using "Apache" by The Incredible Bongo Band as a break in 1975. It became a favorite for b-boys and is still used in hip hop today.
In 1979, a record company executive named Sylvia Robinson put together a group called The Sugarhill Gang. They recorded "Rapper's Delight," which became a huge hit. This song started the era of commercially released hip hop music. By the end of that year, Grandmaster Flash was also recording music. By 1980, Afrika Bambaataa began recording too. Around this time, DJ Kool Herc's popularity started to fade. He later said he stepped back from the scene.
Later Years and Legacy
Kool Herc appeared as himself in the Hollywood movie about hip hop, Beat Street (1984).
In 1994, Herc performed on Terminator X's album, Super Bad. In 2005, he wrote the introduction for Jeff Chang's book about hip hop, Can't Stop Won't Stop. He also appeared in a music video for the song "Top 5 (Dead or Alive)" by Jin. In 2006, he helped get hip hop recognized at the Smithsonian Institution museums. He also took part in the 2007 Dance parade.
Since 2007, Herc has worked to protect 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. This building, where hip hop began, was at risk of being sold. In 2007, New York state officials called 1520 Sedgwick Avenue the "birthplace of hip-hop." They nominated it for national and state historic registers. In 2008, the city ruled against the sale, helping to keep it as affordable housing.
Music by DJ Kool Herc
Albums
- DJ Kool Herc and Mr Green: Last of the Classic Beats (2019)
Live Recordings
- L Brothers vs The Herculoids – Bronx River Centre (1978)
- DJ Kool Herc and Whiz kid with the Herculoids: Live at T-Connection (1981)
- DJ Kool Herc: Tim Westwood show December 28, 1996
Guest Appearances
- Terminator X: "Herc's Message" from Super Bad (1994)
- The Chemical Brothers: "Elektrobank" from Dig Your Own Hole (1997)
- Substantial: "Sacrifice" from Sacrifice (2008)
- DJ Sharp & DJ Icewater: "Call me Herc" from Can’t Stop Won’t Stop – The Next Lesson Mixtape (2005)
Songs
- DJ Kool Herc – B-Boy Boogie
See also
In Spanish: DJ Kool Herc para niños
