…and then there was Hip Hop.
Date of Birth: August 11, 1973.
Father: Clive “DJ Kool Herc” Campbell.
Mother: Africa.
You have to understand. Drums are one of the earliest forms of communication in early civilization. Drums alerted danger, declared victory, express sorrow, and pumped celebration. Without tongues, drums speak more profoundly when words can not be heard. Drums are honest and never sugar coated no matter what studio effect is added to it…and the beat goes on.
There are often times when people will become so wrapped up inside of a drum’s rhythm that they fail to receive the lyrics unless there is a chant involved. It is a matter of fact: drums are the most powerful inventions in the creation of music and stimulating culture.
Culture like Hip Hop.
The sound of a drum is one of many fertile eggs ovulating from Africa sent around the world, and on August 11, 1973 at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx, Kool Herc planted his seed with it when he laid the needle in the groove. Due to the people’s love affair with breakdown rhythms (i.e. break beats), the love child Hip Hop was born.
Today’s article is a simple tribute to Kool Herc with history lessons involving humble and innocent origins of survival and community. Thank you Kool Herc for pioneering another means in this world to bring the people together. You are definitely The Old School Scholar, and I am grateful.
