DJ Kool Herc is widely credited with starting the hip-hop genre when he began singling out the percussion breakdown on funk records, looping them, and rhyming over the beat. At Bronx block parties, Herc created these “breakbeats” by manipulating two copies of the same vinyl album on two turntables. His followers were soon imitating his rhythmic speech, called emceeing or rapping, and his method of mixing songs on turntables, called...Continue Reading