When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop
by Laban Carrick Hill; pictures by Theodore Taylor III
[Book]
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In his introduction to Jeff Chang’s book Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of the Hip Hop Generation, DJ Kool Herc says, “Hip-hop is the voice of this generation.” This picture book tells the story of the beginning of hip hop in the Bronx. Clive wanted to be a DJ since he was young. He grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and looked up to a DJ named King George. Clive moved to New York to live with his mama when he was 13 years old. He started going by the name Kool Herc and became DJ Kool Herc when he was able to rewire his father’s sound system to get a really big sound! He was the first person to use two turntables to extend the break so people could really dance to the music. DJ Kool Herc was in high demand for house parties and street parties. He would plug his sound system into the lampposts to get power. The music was just one part of the budding hip hop culture in the Bronx. Hip hop has its own music (rap and beats), its own dance (break dancing) and its own visual art (graffiti). DJ Kool Herc loved music and his contribution to hip hop is something kids should be reading about!
Reviewed by Bridget
Tagged: Hip-Hop, Picture books
Now
by Bhagavan Das
[Music CD]
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This is a very interesting recording. Bhagavan Das sings traditional kirtans and bhajans, or devotional songs, from India, and his performance shows his deep familiarity with these traditions while simultaneously embracing a very modern sound. This is in part due to Das’ collaboration with the album’s producer, Mike D of the Beastie Boys, who contributed samples and loops which give the album a very modern feel, but don’t, perhaps surprisingly, feel the least bit out of place. In addition, Das is accompanied by a wide range of musicains playing instruments from the east and from the west, traditional and modern. We hear guitars and ektar, drum sets and tabla, sarangi and synthesizers, harmoniums, organs, and conch shells. We can also hear the influence of the blues, the Beatles, and traditional Indian singing styles.
Every track on this album is powerful, energetic, and alive. Every word is heartfelt. I’ve only had a chance to listen to this album once so far—but I’m very much looking forward to listening to it again.
Reviewed by Ben
Tagged: Hip-Hop, Religion, Yoga
ATLiens
by Outkast
[Music CD]
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ATLiens is Outkast’s follow up album (1996) to their debut Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994). The title is a portmanteau which combines the ATL abbreviation for their beloved Atlanta with the term “aliens”. Outkast have always considered themselves outsiders in the world of hip-hop, geographically, stylistically and lyrically and on ATLiens these lyrical differences, with the emerging sound of production teams Organized Noize and Earthtone III set the album apart. ATLiens has the head-nodding beats, funky synth bass, rhymes about cadillacs and other trappings of typical mid-90’s hip hop but remains a cut above and hints at sonic revolutions to come. Recommended for fans of lyrical hip-hop.
Reviewed by Dylan
Tagged: Hip-Hop, Soul music
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Are you the sort of person who’s interested in Gilberto Gil, Stax Records, Roger Troutman, John Coltrane, J Dilla or the history of the Wah-Wah pedal? If you’ve answered in the affirmative, you ought to be investigating Waxpoetics. Luckily for you, Forbes has a subscription! This magazine is packed with soul, jazz, funk, Tropicalia and hip-hop music stories. Furthermore, recent issues are accompanied by a 7″ vinyl record.
Reviewed by Jason
Tagged: Hip-Hop, Music, Soul music
