Zulu Nation Says DJ Kool Herc Did Not Start Hip Hop And Is Misrepresenting The Culture

by Yohance Kyles (@HUEYmixwitRILEY) allhiphop.com

(AllHipHop News) There has been a lot of fanfare over the past week in celebration of what has been reported as the 40th anniversary of the birth of Hip Hop.

DJ Kool Herc is one originator that has become almost synonymous with the creation of the culture, but Quadeer “M.C. Spice” Shakur of the Universal Zulu Nation released a statement announcing that Hip Hop did not begin with Herc’s famous party at 1520 Sedgewick Avenue in the Bronx on August 11, 1973.

According to Shakur, Herc is a founding father of Hip-Hop, but he has been misrepresenting his role in the founding of Hip Hop on various news outlets.

The Zulu Nation Minister of Information also states that Kool Herc has asked his name not be included in any Zulu Nation Hip Hop Culture anniversary flyers several of years ago.

[ALSO READ: Afrika Bambaataa, Hip-Hop Community Celebrates The 38th Anniversary...]

In portions of his statement titled “MISREPRESENTATION OF A CULTURE BY A FOREFATHER”, Shakur writes:

Herc is our brother, but when our family strays from us, we must first forgive them for mistakes, but let them know of their wrongdoings, and of course, welcome them back with open arms. We could go on forever about how many artists who are heavily a part of, or were a part of the Universal Zulu Nation, know and understand how serious this is. By no means should ANY of us attempt to change the course of history and flip it for a dollar or for accolades from an industry of Culture Vultures called “the media”, when we have known and still do know that many in the media want the false, doctored-up UN-truths, not the REAL truth. Especially when it comes to Hip-Hop. What is further disturbing is the falsehood that Kool Herc failed to respect the TRUE first ladies of Hip-Hop: ShaRock, Lisa Lee, Debbie Dee, Queen Amber. The women who were there ON THE MIC representing this Culture. Kool Herc went as far as saying his SISTER is the “first lady of Hip-Hop”. Kool Herc’s sister is also his marketing rep, and is part of promoting the falsehood that she (Cindy) is the “First Lady” of Hip-Hop. That’s NOT TRUE.

Kool Herc, aka Clive Campbell DID NOT BIRTH HIP-HOP CULTURE 40 YEARS AGO ON AUGUST 11, 1973. In fact, Kool Herc only did a Back To School JAM in the recreation room at 1520 Sedgewick Avenue in the Bronx. No emcees were present, no “Hip-Hop” was present (a term heavily used by LoveBug Starski and Keith Cowboy), and the Zulu Nation was already in effect. THIS is the reason for this message. Please get a pen and write this down, or go stand near the chalkboard and write this one hundred times to make SURE you remember: HIP-HOP CULTURE IS 39 YEARS OLD…ZULU NATION IS 40 YEARS OLD.

Some may say there’s no difference, and it’s only a year. But truth is, Kool Herc appears to be working with outside forces to overstep and outshine what is taking place THIS November 12th: The 40th Anniversary of the Universal Zulu Nation. Do you know how big that really is? How dangerous that really is? That so many brothers and sisters of the same accord have been together THIS strong for THIS long?

To be forthcoming about the FACTS concerning this message, we MUST inform those who are a part of this Culture that Universal Zulu Nation does NOT condone falsehoods with respects to this Culture of ours. Kool Herc may have done PARTIES, but a PARTY does NOT represent a MOVEMENT. Nor does a PARTY CREATE a movement. But the CULTURE of Hip-Hop CREATED a MOVEMENT and REPRESENTS a movement. Zulu represents and always WILL represent the four spiritual PRINCIPLES of The Culture: Peace, Unity, Love and Having Fun. We also promoted and rocked parties UTILIZING the five physical ELEMENTS of the Culture: Deejaying, Graffitti, Breakdancing, Emceeing and KNOWLEDGE. I would hope that Herc would adhere to the KNOWLEDGE of our Culture and refrain form the misrepresentation and falsehoods. This message is to inform you that there is NO TRUTH to what you have been hearing about Kool Herc and Hip-Hop having a 40th anniversary. Maybe Kool HERC was deejaying for 40 years. Maybe so. But Kool Herc has nothing to do with the TERM “Hip-Hop”. It was a Culture he was INVITED to once our founder Afrika Bambaataa FOUNDED the Culture USING the term. That said, I would venture to say that perhaps Kool Herc’s SOUND system , “The Herculords” is 40 years old, but not Hip-Hop. Give it another year, Herc. And give it a rest. We love you, but we MUST correct you, brother. Happy 39th birthday, Hip-Hop. Happy 40th Birthday, Zulu Nation.


Views: 408

Reply to This

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

Don Carlos
Friday, June 12 @ The Chapel, SF

J Boog
Tuesday, June 16 @ UC Theater, Berkeley

DaBoyDame w/ Keyshia Cole, Plies +more
Friday, June 19 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Buju Banton & Stephen Marley
Saturday, June 20 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Khalid
Friday, June 26 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Thee Sacred Souls
Saturday, Aug 15 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Jungle
Wednesday, Oct 7 @ Greek Theatre, Berkeley

Connect

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
1 hour ago
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
3 hours ago
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
23 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

J Boog at THE UC THEATRE, Berkeley

June 16, 2026 from 8pm to 11:30pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. June 16, 2026 J BoogTHE UC THEATRE 2036 University Ave. Berkeley, CA Doors: 7:00 pm. Start: 8:00 pm All Ages >> BUY TICKETS…See More
yesterday
Editor's Pick updated an event
Thumbnail

Don Carlos at The Chapel, SF

June 12, 2026 from 8pm to 11pm
ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS. WINNER WILL BE DRAWN RANDOMLY AND ANNOUNCED 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. Friday, Jun 12, 2026 DON CARLOSThe Chapel, 777 Valencia Street, San Francisco, CA Doors: 8:00PM | Show: 9:00PM>> BUY TICKETS…See More
yesterday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

Jhaysings Blends Love, Culture, and Soulful Energy on New Single “Emotions”

Nigerian Afrobeat's artist Jhaysings is making waves once again with the release of his latest single, "Emotions" Hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, Jhaysings has spent the last seven years building a name for himself as a singer, songwriter, producer, and mix engineer. His dedication to developing a unique sound has earned him recognition from…See More
yesterday
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
yesterday
Editor's Pick shared their discussion on Facebook
Monday
Tampa Mystic posted a blog post

The Vibrant sounds of Latin American & Haitian Music delivers the steamy single; "Latin Nights" by Shaney Poo

The vibrant sounds of the Latin American and Haitian music scenes are about to converge in an exhilarating new single: **"Latin Nights"** by Shaney Poo. This track not only showcases the diverse rhythms of Latin music but also pays homage to the rich cultural tapestry of the Haitian community. A Fusion of Sounds"Latin Nights" is a celebration of the rich musical heritages that define both Latin and Haitian cultures. With infectious beats and dynamic melodies, Shaney Poo invites listeners on a…See More
Sunday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Friday

© 2026   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service