This week, we’re continuing our celebration of Black History Month by exploring the history of Hip Hop. The birth of hip hop can be traced to a back-to-school benefit party in the Bronx, New York, in August 1973. At that party, Clive Campbell – better known as DJ Kool Herc — was spinning records where he’d jump from drum break to drum break, which established the rhythmic foundation for hip hop.

In the late 70s and early 80s hip hop artists combined elements of the blues, R&B, soul, jazz and funk. Rappers began to experiment with technology in their music using drum machines, synthesizers and samplers. They were also early pioneers of conscious lyricism, with rap lyrics that challenged the dominant culture, politics, and expressed their views on social issues. Today, you can hear influences and samplings that trace back to the beginning of hip hop as well as the early days of the Blues and R&B.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what classic hip hop songs do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played:
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – Freedom
Gil Scott-Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Incredible Bongo Band – Apache
Kurtis Blow – The Breaks (Part 1)
Sly and the Family Stone – Loose Booty
Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight (Bonus!)