What started out as a back-to-school party for DJ Kool Herc’s sister in Sedgwick Avenue, the Bronx, in New York, soon became a movement that many youngsters could identify with. The baggy dress code, freestyle and breakdancing sessions would be the order of the day for hip-hop heads in the US. Rap music was the subculture that gripped the world, with music videos on repeat across the globe.
As hip-hop turns 50, this auspicious occasion will be celebrated loudly with shows, exhibitions, publications and academic conferences. In this week’s Friday edition, Charles Leonard reflects on the culture’s influence in SA and Ron Derby takes us through his journey with the artists who shaped his musical landscape.