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DJ Kool Herc's apartment
“The power of the DJ? Motivating crowds. To possess the insight to do so. To have the crowds at your fingertips, to control them. That’s the best fucking power man.”
DJ Kool Herc
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, Clive Campbell followed his family to New York City, in the Bronx. The latter is located on the edge of the highway at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. While several gangs began to emerge in the neighborhood, young Clive flourished thanks to music, particularly James Brown’s, and on the basketball courts. His stature earned him the nickname Hercules, or Herc to his friends. In order to share his passion for the new sounds he hears, the young man gives parties in the community room of his building. He then builds his own sound system, with two turntables. His parties became very popular in the Bronx. The one called DJ Kool Herc impresses by his feeling. At that time, he did not use a helmet. Only his passion and an increased knowledge of the records from which he composes his mixes allow him to give birth to an original style. On that famous evening of August 11, 1973, he hosted a party for his sister Cindy’s birthday. He is assisted by Theodore Puccio, the first MC in history. In the room, Grandmaster Flash doesn’t miss a thing. He will also be one of the pioneers of hip-hop thanks to his talent, his groove and his audacity. Since that defining day, fame has not caught up with DJ Kool Herc like many whose compositions were built on his teachings. Nevertheless, the honorary title of creator of hip-hop belongs to him. He whose beats are still floating around 1520 Sedgwick Avenue.
To date, DJ Kool Herc has only released only one record, or Last of the Classic Beats, with Mr. Green.
1520 Sedgwick Ave
At first glance, this Bronx building at 1520 Sedgwick Ave, not far from the Harlem River, is rather ordinary. But its importance in the history of music, and hip-hop in particular, is paramount.
It was within the walls of this modest apartment complex that DJ Kool Herc created hip-hop at a party on August 11, 1973. This event made 1520 Sedgwick Ave a sort of cultural monument. A monument that has been threatened several times. Like in the early 2000s when there was talk of turning it into a more luxurious housing complex. But the fights led in its favor won the battle and allowed it to keep its identity and to become officially the cradle of hip-hop music.
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Cult! music: 100 mythical music places [French Edition]
Embark immediately on an exhilarating world tour with some of music’s most iconic bands and artists!
Head to Melbourne, Australia for a stroll along AC/DC Lane before crossing the iconic Abbey Road pedestrian crossing in the company of The Beatles. Visit Janis Joplin‘s home in San Francisco and find out how Johnny Cash ended up playing his greatest hits to a crowd of prisoners in San Quentin. Travel the winding roads of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and stop in Japan to catch up with Deep Purple, Phil Collins and Daft Punk. Drive down the Tina Turner Highway before entering some of the most legendary studios in music history. Go back to the troubled origins of Billie Holiday and make a pact with Robert Johnson at the famous crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Embark immediately on an exhilarating world tour with some of music’s most iconic bands and artists! Relive the Jimi Hendrix concert on the Isle of Wight before paying tribute to Bob Marley in Jamaica.
Produced by a team of pop-culture specialists and enhanced by numerous anecdotes, Cult! musictells the secrets of the places that made the history of music.
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Discover all the places Last of the Classic Beats on our map
By Gilles Rolland
Passionné de cinéma, de rock and roll, de séries TV et de littérature. Rédacteur de presse et auteur des livres Le Heavy Metal au cinéma, Paroles de fans Guns N' Roses, Paroles de fans Rammstein et Welcome to my Jungle : 100 albums rock et autres anecdotes dépareillées. Adore également voyager à la recherche des lieux les plus emblématiques de la pop culture.