Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary!
Since 2012 the NAMM Oral History team has been documenting the rich history of hip-hop. We were blessed to capture interviews with several early pioneering DJs and have since added dozens to our collection.
In celebration of this milestone, The Music History Project podcast has dedicated four episodes that showcase many of these DJs as they help explain the birth and development of hip-hop!
Hip-Hop @ 50: The Early Years (podcast episode 133)
This podcast begins with an introduction to hip-hop by the one and only DJ Grand Master Caz, followed by three interviewees speaking about the founder of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc! These remarks are provided by Caz, Christie Z, and Kool DJ Red Alert. You will also hear from other pioneering DJs from New York including GrandMaster Flash and GrandWizzard Theodore.
https://www.namm.org/library/blog/ep-133-hip-hop-50-part-1
Hip-Hop @ 50: East Coast (episode 134)
The second installment of the hip-hop series focuses on several more East Coast DJs from the early days of hip-hop. This program includes segments from our interviews with DJ Jazzy Joyce, Johnny Juice, DJ Cash Money, and hip-hop advocate and historian Christie Z.
Hip-Hop @ 50: West Coast (episode 135)
For this third episode, the focus shifts to the West Coast with interview segments from Chris The Glove, DJ Tony G, Chopmaster J, and Arabian Prince.
Hip-Hop @ 50: Constant Development (episode 136)
The final podcast in our series dedicated to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop provides the views of leading DJs and how equipment advanced as well as the growth of the mobile DJ and DJ battling. Check out this episode with DJ Qbert, Dave Lopez, DJ Imperial JayCee (may he rest in peace), DJ Aladdin, and DJ Sir Jinx.
Over the years many other DJs have been included in the Oral History program but due to time were not included in this podcast series. Check out their web clip pages as we give a shout-out to each of them:
Steve Dee, DJ J-Roc, Babu, Ralph M, DJ Quest, DJ Rhettmatic, Keith Shocklee, DJ Revolution, DJ Melo-D, D-Styles, the Original Spinderella, DJ Hollywood, DJ Scratch, Mean Gene, GrandMixer DXT, Jazzy Jay, Dr. Duss, DJ Evil E, Afrika Bambaataa, my man DJ Rockin’ Rob!, DJ Ken and last but not least, DJ Modgirl!
Documenting this part of hip-hop has been a blessing for the NAMM team and we thank each and every one for helping us along the way! Shout out to our podcast special guest Kendrick Dial, and to the rest of our podcast team. And everlasting love to Christie Z for her passion, wisdom, and cookies!
Dan Del Fiorentino
Music Historian