BY JORDAN COMMANDEUR • FEBRUARY 16, 2019

Despite being credited as the Godfather Of Hip-Hop, DJ Kool Herc never pursued a recording career. While he has spun records for more than 45 years, the 63-year-old Clive Campbell never produced music like other pioneering DJs such as Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grand Wizard Theodore.

In 1994, Herc commanded an interlude on Terminator X’s Super Bad solo album. “Herc’s Message” was one of global Hip-Hop unity, and the call against alcohol and drugs as distractions. He also made speaking appearances on Substantial’s “Sacrifice” album and The Chemical Brothers’ single, “Elektrobank.”

DJ Kool Herc’s Onetime Bronx Block To Be Renamed In The Spirit Of Hip-Hop

Twenty-five years since his spot on Terminator X’s LP, Herc has a new message. The living legend appears throughout a new album by producer Mr. Green. Last Of The Classic Beats released yesterday (February 15), and features a series of proclamations from the Jamaican-born, Bronx-representing Herc.

On “No Disrespect,” Herc makes no bones about his place in history. Mr. Green, who previously created the Live From The Streets series, asks the DJ who he is. “I’m the guy who created the culture called Hip-Hop—but only I, Kool Herc. No Bambaata, no Flash. I’m not a copycat, no disrespect,” is his response. Those words, demanding sole credit, open the song. Later on the album, on “Brass Tax” (embedded below), Herc declares, “They can’t buy that; they can’t take it away from me, and that’s what they’d like to do. I’m not #2 or #3; I’m #1. I’m A-number-1! I’m king of the hill, top of the heap.”

READ MORE AT AMBROSIA FOR HEADS