A Brief History of Hip Hop

“Break Beat” which is a break in the record for Poppers, Lockers and Breakers to Jam (Dance) to came from “Live at the Apollo” a record which James Brown recorded back in 1962.

In 1973 DJ Cool HERC played two of the same records together to lengthen the drum section of the record before the break would end hereby creating the term ”Break Beat”. Dancers would go to parties exhibiting movements that would soon become the foundation for Hip Hop performers. DJ Cool HERC gave these dancers the name of B-Boy, B-GIRL which was later known as Break Boys, Bronx Boys or Beat Boys.

In 1975 COKE LA ROCK would rhyme for DJ COOL HERC at night spots in the BRONX pleasing the crowds with his MC-ing which in turn layed the foundation for Rapping (MC-ing) on the Microphone

The scratch was invented by a DJ named Grand Wizard Theodore by holding a record in place and scratching at the same time. The needle made a rough but pleasant sound while on the record which was turned into the “SCRATCH”

The Rock Steady Crew (B-Boy Team) were formed as were the ELECTRIC BOOGALOO’s (FREESTYLERS) in 1977.

In 1983 Herbie Hancock recorded the famous top hit track “ROCKIT” with help from GRANDMIXER DST who toured with the ROCK STEADY CREW and the COLD CRUSH FOUR (WILD STYLE TOUR) in Japan

1984 brought the movie “BEAT STREET” which featured hip hop legends such as TREACHEROUS 3, DOUGIE FRESH, NEW YORK CITY BREAKERS, ROCK STEADY CREW, DJ COOL HERC AND MANY MORE.

Films such as Breakin and Breakin 2 which featured an all west coast line up paved the way for hip hop as it is today and have become legendary in this cultural phenomenon.