August 11, 1973, hip hop began

On August 11, 1973, hip hop was introduced at a birthday party in the Bronx where DJ Kool Herc was on the turntables. While hip hop was shaped by many artists, DJ Kool Herc’s contribution is noted because he created the “break-beat.”  Working two turntables to go back and forth on the same record, Herc could prolong the percussion segment, something he observed that dance crowds loved.  The term hip hop was not used for another 6 years.