c) DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc, born Clive Campbell, is revered as the “Father of Hip-Hop” for his pioneering role in the birth of the genre. In the early 1970s, in the Bronx, New York, Herc developed a unique style of DJing at block parties and gatherings. He introduced the technique of isolating and extending the break beat of a record, a method that became fundamental to hip-hop music. This approach provided a continuous rhythmic base for emcees to rap over and for dancers to showcase their moves, which became known as breakdancing. DJ Kool Herc’s innovation laid the groundwork for the development of hip-hop culture, encompassing DJing, rapping, breakdancing, and graffiti art. His influence extends beyond the technical aspects of DJing, as he helped create a new form of musical expression and cultural identity that resonated with the experiences of urban youth.