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DJ Kool Herc Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By LL Cool J

DJ Kool Herc Inducted Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame By LL Cool J

This weekend, Hip-Hop pioneer and architect DJ Kool Herc officially entered the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. The Jamaican-born, Bronx, New York-raised Clive Campbell was joined by his sister Cynthia at a ceremony at Brooklyn's Barclays Center. There, Herc was inducted into the Hall by an artist with that... Read more
November 5, 2023 News, Trending Stories, Video
KRS-One Explains Why Kool Herc Is THE Founder Of Hip-Hop

KRS-One Explains Why Kool Herc Is THE Founder Of Hip-Hop

Throughout 2023, Hip-Hop culture is celebrating its most significant anniversary to date. At the top of the year, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Congressman Jamaal Bowman appeared at the Universal Hip Hop Museum construction site in New York's Bronx borough. There, attending with KRS-One, Roxanne Shanté, Grandmaster Flash,... Read more
February 16, 2023 Video
LL Cool J Blasts DJ Akademiks For Dissing Hip-Hop’s Pioneers

LL Cool J Blasts DJ Akademiks For Dissing Hip-Hop’s Pioneers

Weeks after Hip-Hop celebrated its honorary 49th birthday, one of the more popular commentators within the space has come under fire for some recent remarks surrounding Rap's pioneers. DJ Akademiks, known for his social media posts and co-host role on Complex's Everyday Struggle and Off The Record, did a Twitch... Read more
September 22, 2022 Fresh, News, Video
Hip-Hop Culture Is Closer To 100 Years Old Than 50 Years Old

Hip-Hop Culture Is Closer To 100 Years Old Than 50 Years Old

Every August 11, Hip-Hop Heads celebrate a birthday associated with the culture. In 1973, that was the day that many historians credit DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) with throwing a back-to-school jam at the rec center of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in New York City's Bronx borough. In the last... Read more
September 14, 2022 Video
Clark Kent Says Hip-Hop Owes Kool Herc & It’s Time To Pay Up

Clark Kent Says Hip-Hop Owes Kool Herc & It’s Time To Pay Up

Earlier this week, on August 11, Hip-Hop celebrated its 48th birthday. On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) threw a back-to-school party with his sister Cindy Campbell. The event took place at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in New York's Bronx borough. Behind the turntables, Herc prolonged the break... Read more
August 13, 2021 Exclusive, Fresh
Shad & The Creators Of Hip-Hop Evolution Detail Making A Truly Standout Docuseries

Shad & The Creators Of Hip-Hop Evolution Detail Making A Truly Standout Docuseries

Less than a week ago, Hip-Hop Evolution premiered its fourth season of episodes to Netflix. The series, which came to the platform in late 2016, has been one of the most comprehensive, far-reaching Hip-Hop documentaries ever produced. What's more, it lives in a place that's accessible to the mainstream, shining... Read more
January 23, 2020 Interview
DJ Kool Herc Says He’s Still #1. Hip-Hop’s Godfather Speaks (Audio)

DJ Kool Herc Says He’s Still #1. Hip-Hop’s Godfather Speaks (Audio)

Despite being credited as the Godfather Of Hip-Hop, DJ Kool Herc never pursued a recording career. While he has spun records for more than 45 years, the 63-year-old Clive Campbell never produced music like other pioneering DJs such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grand Wizard Theodore. In 1994, Herc... Read more
February 16, 2019 Audio
Jazzy Jeff Demonstrates New DJ Technology That May Mark The End Of Needles (Video)

Jazzy Jeff Demonstrates New DJ Technology That May Mark The End Of Needles (Video)

As the end of 2018 approaches, the art of DJ'ing inches closer to its 85th birthday. The term "disc jockey" itself was first coined in 1935 by New York City-born radio commentator Walter Winchell. Later, in 1943, the first official DJ dance party was curated by then DJ Jimmy Savile... Read more
October 23, 2018 News, Video
Nas Names 5 Of His Favorite Rap Songs In Celebration Of Hip-Hop’s 45th Birthday (Video)

Nas Names 5 Of His Favorite Rap Songs In Celebration Of Hip-Hop’s 45th Birthday (Video)

This past Saturday, Hip-Hop celebrated a significant milestone. August 11, 1973, marks the day that DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) rocked a benchmark party in the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. As a result, many Hip-Hop Heads, scholars, and even tech giants honor that day as the culture's... Read more
August 13, 2018 Video
Grandmaster Flash Has A New Message And It’s Aimed At Kool Herc & Afrika Bambaataa (Video)

Grandmaster Flash Has A New Message And It’s Aimed At Kool Herc & Afrika Bambaataa (Video)

Earlier this month, Hip-Hop celebrated its 44th birthday. Just like holidays for some families and groups of friends, it was not without some drama. Fans may have missed it, but some legendary shots appeared to be thrown—by one of Hip-Hop's pioneers towards another one of its founding figureheads. The issue... Read more
August 26, 2017 Exclusive, TBD, Video
Grandmaster Flash Calls Out Kool Herc’s DJ Skills In A Push For Peace (Video)

Grandmaster Flash Calls Out Kool Herc’s DJ Skills In A Push For Peace (Video)

One week ago today, Hip-Hop celebrated its 44th birthday. That day is associated with an August 11 Bronx, New York party where DJ Kool Herc (aka Clive Campbell) prolonged the dance section of a record by using two turntables with copies of the same disc. For the event, an incredible... Read more
August 18, 2017 News, Video
In A Tumultuous Week, Hip-Hop Remains The Great Unifier (Video)

In A Tumultuous Week, Hip-Hop Remains The Great Unifier (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more
August 16, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video
Google Is Throwing A Party For Hip-Hop’s Birthday And Billions Are Invited

Google Is Throwing A Party For Hip-Hop’s Birthday And Billions Are Invited

Today (August 11), Google has unveiled its first ever Hip-Hop "Doodle." Perhaps better known as the dynamic logo at the top of the search engine, the doodle often changes to celebrate holidays, milestones, and cultural events. For 48 hours, the digital giant will pay homage to Hip-Hop's birthday. That date is celebrated on August 11... Read more
August 10, 2017 Fresh
Kool Herc Knights DJ Scratch As A “Grandmaster” (Video)

Kool Herc Knights DJ Scratch As A “Grandmaster” (Video)

DJ Kool Herc is credited with pioneering Hip-Hop music, through extending the break-beats during his early 1970s DJ sets. The Jamaican born man also known as Clive Campbell has made limited music over the 43 years since August 11, 1973 (the date honored in many circles as Hip-Hop's birthday). However,... Read more
December 23, 2016 Video
This 1977 NYC Party Mix Shows How The Earliest Hip-Hop Parties Sounded (Audio)

This 1977 NYC Party Mix Shows How The Earliest Hip-Hop Parties Sounded (Audio)

Thanks to the series "The Get Down," many are newly fascinated with 1970s New York City and the genesis of Hip-Hop. DJ'ing, rapping, graffiti, and breakin' came together harmoniously in an overall form of expression that reflected the complexities of city-dwelling at a specific time in fashion, music, visual art,... Read more
August 20, 2016 Mixes, Throwback, Throwback
Kool Herc Says HBO Unfairly Used His Likeness…& Now He’s Suing

Kool Herc Says HBO Unfairly Used His Likeness…& Now He’s Suing

HBO's Vinyl has become the latest in the television network's string of hit series. Based on 1970s New York City, it traces the music industry's growing pains and triumphs and centers around a record executive played by Bobby Cannavale. Given the series' location and theme, it comes as no surprise... Read more
May 5, 2016 Fresh
DJ Kool Herc’s Onetime Bronx Block To Be Renamed In The Spirit Of Hip-Hop

DJ Kool Herc’s Onetime Bronx Block To Be Renamed In The Spirit Of Hip-Hop

The man many scholars have considered Hip-Hop's founding father can claim another accolade. DJ Kool Herc (a/k/a Clive Campbell) was born in Jamaica, before relocating to the Bronx, New York in the 1960s. The block of Herc's Bronx residence in the early 1970s (1520 Sedgwick Avenue) will be renamed "Hip-Hop... Read more
February 7, 2016 News
The Story Of Hip-Hop’s Creation Is Being Re-Examined By Some Of Its Most Respected Pioneers (Video)

The Story Of Hip-Hop’s Creation Is Being Re-Examined By Some Of Its Most Respected Pioneers (Video)

Editor's Note: The first edition of this story credited Crazy Legs as Rock Steady Crew founder. It has been brought to Ambrosia For Heads' attention that Crazy Legs is in fact the president of the organization. The mistake has been corrected, in the story below: Last night (November 2), Crazy... Read more
November 3, 2015 News, Video
The Group Behind One of Hip-Hop’s Most Famous Samples Announces New Music 35 Years Later…

The Group Behind One of Hip-Hop’s Most Famous Samples Announces New Music 35 Years Later…

From The Fugees' multi-platinum album The Score to Spike Lee's joints Crooklyn and 25th Hour, Heads have heard Cymande. The British-based Funk band pulled from across oceans, cultures and continents to build a band that would help define the sound of Hip-Hop, thanks to creating some of the most seminal breaks... Read more
August 21, 2015 News
Want To See How Hip-Hop Started? Two New Shows Document Its Beginnings (Video)

Want To See How Hip-Hop Started? Two New Shows Document Its Beginnings (Video)

It's New York City in the late '60s and early '70s, and there is an underbelly of criminal and gang activity plaguing the Big Apple's neighborhoods, a combination of socioeconomic and political environments that, years later, will help birth what is today the world's most influential culture. This particularly dangerous... Read more
June 17, 2015 Lifestyle
DJ Kool Herc OPENS UP & His Top 5 MCs & DJs Will ASTONISH You (Audio)

DJ Kool Herc OPENS UP & His Top 5 MCs & DJs Will ASTONISH You (Audio)

DJ Kool Herc interviews, especially with much depth and room for conversation are a scarcity. It is astounding how Hip-Hop music's credited founder lives in the Bronx, New York today, with relatively low profile. The Kingston, Jamaica native known as Clive Campbell is not a public figure, despite his groundbreaking... Read more
April 13, 2015 Throwback
Crazy Legs Says That The Credit For Hip-Hop’s Creation Needs To Be Shared (Video)

Crazy Legs Says That The Credit For Hip-Hop’s Creation Needs To Be Shared (Video)

One of the pioneers of Hip-Hop in on the ground floor of the culture is Crazy Legs. The President of the Rock Steady Crew, Richard Colón has been am ambassador of breakin', fashion, and the Hip-Hop attitude for more than 35 years. Crazy Legs appeared in Wild Style, Style Wars,... Read more
March 4, 2015 Video
Afrika Bambaataa’s Record Crates Helped Create The Hip-Hop Genre. Get A Look (Video)

Afrika Bambaataa’s Record Crates Helped Create The Hip-Hop Genre. Get A Look (Video)

Hip-Hop's three forefathers are often remembered as pioneers DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa. With all three men tied to the Bronx, New York of the 1970s, each brought a unique flare to the sound of the culture, with varying personal backgrounds. Herc, a native of Jamaica, had... Read more
August 7, 2014 Featured-homepage, Fresh, Throwback
Black Sheep Dres Breaks Down Ageism In Hip-Hop, Delivers HOT 97 A Message From DJ Kool Herc (Audio)

Black Sheep Dres Breaks Down Ageism In Hip-Hop, Delivers HOT 97 A Message From DJ Kool Herc (Audio)

One of Hip-Hop's true mainstays over the last 25 years has been Dres. Since his days building with Kool DJ Red Alert and former Black Sheep to his latest songs about marriage and flexing Bars In The Booth alongside DJ Premier, the Queens, New York-born MC has been a strong,... Read more
July 22, 2014 Audio, Fresh, Throwback
DJ Kool Herc & Grandmaster Caz To Throw A Free Bronx Block Party 41 Years Later

DJ Kool Herc & Grandmaster Caz To Throw A Free Bronx Block Party 41 Years Later

Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis don't do many free Rock & Roll shows. The Clash don't play too many Punk shows anymore. However, Hip-Hop Heads are blessed with the opportunity to still see pioneers at work, and for not a single penny. This weekend, Hip-Hop's Godfather, DJ Kool Herc,... Read more
June 20, 2014 Fresh, Throwback
DJ Woody – Hip-Hop At 40 Preview (Video)

DJ Woody – Hip-Hop At 40 Preview (Video)

For fans of Style Wars, Wild Style, and just the story that us Heads are living out, this is incredibly cool. DJ Woody makes another visual mash-up dedicated to Hip-Hop's 40th birthday last month. Within the quick-cuts of this two-minute preview are Godfather DJ Kool Herc, Roxanne Shante and Brand... Read more
September 6, 2013 Fresh, Throwback
Because They Made It That Way (Hip-Hop At 40 Years Old)

Because They Made It That Way (Hip-Hop At 40 Years Old)

If you go by the books, Hip-Hop (I’ll spell it with capital letters since KRS-One told us to do so) turns 40 years old this month. Six summers before Big Bank Hank, Wonder Mike and Master Gee drove a Lincoln Continental and great big Cadillac up the charts to a... Read more
August 10, 2013 Featured-homepage, Food for Thought, Fresh, Throwback
DJ Kool Herc, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane & More To Do Free NYC Park Show (Event)

DJ Kool Herc, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane & More To Do Free NYC Park Show (Event)

If you're within a day's drive of New York City on August 10, you have an opportunity to live, breathe, hear, and see true hip-hop history. The Godfather DJ Kool Kerc, pioneer Coke La Rock, iconic MCs Big Daddy Kane & Rakim, and our friend DJ Premier are all slated... Read more
August 2, 2013 Fresh, Throwback