On this day in history, in the Bronx (BX) NYC August 11th 1973, an 18 year old DJ named Kool Herc threw a Back To School party and subsequently started what we know today as Hip Hop. Part of what came from this was a new thing called "The Break".....another timely back to school reference ;-)  At first glance, the direct connection to Back To School season and Hip Hop may be fairly obvious, but after taking a closer look at some of the lesser know effects hip hop has had on all of us, I think the perceived impact will be a bit more pronounced.

44 years ago today that back-to-school jam at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Boogie Down Bronx was kicking off. During DJ Kool Herc's set, he decided to do something different.

Instead of playing the songs in full on his turntables, he played only their instrumental sections, or “breaks” - sections where he noticed the crowd went wild (hence the term break dancing).

During these “breaks” his friend Coke La Rock hyped up the crowd with a microphone. And with that, Hip Hop was born.

Kids Using Music As An Outlet & Expression

The youth in New York needed an outlet -  a unifying sound, a beat, a voice to call their own. The Bronx DJ’s and MC’s rose to the task and the city loved them for it. During this time Disco was the big thing and many felt the music and culture didn't relate to them. Hip Hop made their own connection by doing things such as bringing back the evocative BOOM! BAP! rhythms of James Brown's drummer, Clyde Stubblefield.

Hip Hop Has A Style Of Its Own

Hip Hop was accessible. A kid with little means and hard work could transform their turntable into a powerful instrument of expression (also illustrating hip hop’s technical innovation). Starting with folks like DJ Kool Herc, DJ Hollywood, and Grandmaster Flash, the grassroots movement created a new culture of Music, Art, Fashion and Dance available to the 5 boroughs of the city and beyond. Fast forward to 1984 in the U.S, and to the rock establishment and corporate music business, hip hop was little more than a fad. But with acts selling out shows around the globe night after night, it was obvious that something bigger was brewing...

Today we see see the many ways Hip Hop and it's culture have impacted the world. From it's influence in the hottest new music, dance, the newest clothing trends, artistic expression and even how we communicate, it's clear Hip Hop was not a fad. 

So as we're celebrating "Back To School time", "Break" almost being over, and looking back at the past, why not check out some of the unique and memorable ways to capture your kiddos history!  Check out our ever expanding selection of Milestones | Memories products or gifts that you can use to create memories that will last 44 years and beyond. Shop the >> Back To School | Milestones | Memories Collection online, or stroll into Poshinate Kiddos St Peter Store Today

In that spirit, here’s to BILLIONS of people getting a brief reminder that “Yes, yes y’all! And it WON’T stop!” 

photo and parts of article credit Google