Hip Hop Founding Fathers DJ Kool Herc, Melle Mel Honored
Benefit concert honors, helps DJ Kool Herc.
The roots of hip hop run deep, and last night, some legends of the game gathered at B. B. King in New York City to honor two of the men responsible for the music hip hop heads around the world love today, DJ Kool Herc, who is credited with creating breakbeats, and Grandmaster Melle Mel, who coined the term “Master of Ceremonies” and rapped on 1982’s classic “The Message.”
The event also served as a 50th birthday party for Melle Mel, and a benefit to raise funds for Kool Herc, who has suffered from kidney problems of late. Performers included ?uestlove and Black Thought of The Roots, Big Daddy Kane, Force MDs, Jeru Tha Damaja and DJ Jazzy Jay.
(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)