The Night that Changed Music
On August 11, 1973, a âBack-to-School Jamâ at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx marked the start of hip-hop. Cindy Campbell organized the event to raise money for her school clothes, and her brother, Clive Campbellâknown as DJ Kool Hercâwas the DJ for the night. His innovative approach to music, isolating and extending drum breaks from funk and soul records, created a new sound that energized the crowd.
DJ Kool Hercâs Breakthrough Technique
During the party, DJ Kool Herc introduced a technique he called the “Merry-Go-Round,” where he used two turntables to loop the drum breaks, keeping dancers on their feet longer. This extended beat allowed young âbreakersâ to perform dance moves to the rhythm, setting the foundation for breakdancing and the hip-hop beat.
The Birth of Block Party Culture
The partyâs success inspired more gatherings, spilling into the surrounding streets and creating a growing culture centered on rhythm, dance, and DJing skills. By the following summer, DJ Kool Hercâs block parties became a neighborhood tradition, spreading the new hip-hop sound across the Bronx.
From Local Sound to Global Movement
These early Bronx block parties, built around beats, turntables, and dance battles, became the birthplace of hip-hop. What started as a neighborhood event sparked a cultural phenomenon, establishing hip-hop as a music genre and way of life that would influence the world.
How Hip-Hop Was Born at a Bronx Block Party đ¶
The Night that Changed Music
On August 11, 1973, a âBack-to-School Jamâ at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx marked the start of hip-hop. Cindy Campbell organized the event to raise money for her school clothes, and her brother,⊠pic.twitter.com/S0dY1IdAEA— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) October 28, 2024