Black History Bootcamp. S6. Day 2
Day 2
“I’m kicking new flava in ya ear!”
- Craig Mack
The Address: Do you know what happened at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx, New York?
The Story: Somebody’s uncle, with a good government job, signed the purchase order to put electrical outlets in light posts in Black neighborhoods across America.
He’s a hero.
Some say, that tiny detail, the ability to plug in amps and turntables outside on the corner is responsible for the birth of Hip Hop!
It’s a cute idea.
…and maybe there’s an ounce of credence there but here’s the TRUTH.
There is no hip hop without Cindy Campell and her big brother Clive who lived at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York.
Their basement apartment is known around the world as the birthplace of Hip Hop!!!
The rest is history: I said-a hip, hop, the hippie, the hippie, to the hip hip hop-a you don't stop the rock It to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat. Now what you hear is not a test….
Meet us in the Streets: Let’s talk about exactly what happened the night of August 11, 1973! And I’m going to have some hip-hop trivia. Come prepared with your Top 5 emcees of all time! Then, wait for it, Vanessa and I are gonna battle rap! 😂 You can call in and join. Dust off your favorite verse from middle school.
Together, we will paint the picture of this thriving neighborhood and the bold innovations of Clive aka DJ Kool Herc that “spun” the music world on its head. (See what I did there!? Lol.)
Let’s walk and talk…
Catch up on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, or Google podcasts.
Episodes are available after 48 hours.
The Neighborhood Call to Action
Listen: Sedwick Avenue Tribute: A Neighborhood Playlist
Support Black Neighborhoods:
Support Black Artists: Hire a real DJ for your next event or house party and tip her well for keeping the culture alive! (Follow @dnice on IG! He’s from The Bronx and has revolutionized house parties in this crazy virtual world.)
Tour: If you live near NYC, I did this tour with legendary DJ Cass that drives past Sedwick Avenue: https://hushtours.com.
Watch Hip Hop documentaries on Netflix: The ones about Nas and Kanye are both excellent. They are called Nas: Time is Illmatic and Jeen-Yahs. More watches = more dollars invested in our stories.
Organize: Do you live in or around New York? Start a Crew in your neighborhood. Download our Field Guide and email Regional Coach, Keturah at northeast@girltrek.org. She’s got your back.
“For those who make the exodus
seeking the North beacon
From beating and hog-eating,
from punishment all season
From hands cracked and bleeding,
cotton thorns in your palms
It's for y'all that I sketch these songs."
- Mos Def
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