The Bronx Looks to Capitalize as Hip-Hop’s Birthplace
In the 1970s, DJs, dancers, graffiti artists and the first rappers came together in the burned-out buildings of The Bronx, giving birth to hip-hop.
Today, hip-hop is a multibillion-dollar industry and The Bronx is on the mend, but New York’s northernmost borough is struggling to capitalize on its heritage.
Hip-hop began at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue on the two-tone linoleum floor of a ground-floor room in an anonymous brick house, under an impromptu neon light.
There on August 11, 1973, Clive Campbell — nicknamed Kool Herc — mashed together snippets of recordings on two turntables and, without knowing it, became the first hip-hop DJ. Coke La Rock became the first MC as he delivered spoken-word lyrics over the music.
Hip-hop culture — with its mix of DJing, rapping, graffiti and dance — has gone on to become a global phenomenon. The Bronx has restored several emblematic sites including Cedar Playground, the scene of the first open-air hip-hop parties, and the Bronx River Community Center where pioneering DJ Afrika Bambaataa had his start.
The early days of hip-hop have also been dramatized in a television series, “The Get Down,” which premiered in August.
But little of the giant hip-hop industry now comes out of or benefits The Bronx, which despite recent growth remains less prosperous than glamorous Manhattan or fast-growing Brooklyn.
A plan to create a hip-hop museum in The Bronx has repeatedly been proposed and resurrected but has not come to fruition.
Rocky Bucano, a businessman and producer behind the Universal Hip Hop Museum, has since teamed up to create a foundation to support the project, enlisting several figures from the first generation of hip-hop including Kurtis Blow.
The current plan calls for a complex over several acres on the Harlem River, which separates The Bronx and Harlem. Alongside the museum will be businesses, green space and affordable housing.
Vocabulary:
burned-out – (adjective) destroyed or heavily damaged by fire, leaving only an empty shell, “The city plans to demolish the burned-out factory to build a new public park.”
on the mend – (idiom) improving, recovering, or getting better after a difficult period, illness, or injury, “After months of economic decline, the local neighborhood’s business district is finally on the mend.”
capitalize on – (phrasal verb) to take advantage of or use a situation, asset, or opportunity to gain a benefit, “The tourism board wants to capitalize on the town’s historical charm to attract more international visitors.”
two-tone – (adjective) having two different colors, or two shades of the same color, “She drove a classic two-tone car painted in brilliant shades of blue and white.”
impromptu – (adjective) done, made, or played without any prior preparation or planning; spontaneous, “The band surprised their fans with an impromptu acoustic performance in the middle of the subway station.”
mashed together – (phrasal verb) combined, blended, or mixed different elements together to create something new, “The DJ mashed together a classic rock song with a modern pop beat to get everyone dancing.”
global phenomenon – (noun phrase) an event, trend, or cultural movement that becomes exceptionally popular and widely recognized all over the world, “Smartphone technology has transitioned from a niche luxury to a true global phenomenon.”
emblematic – (adjective) serving as a perfect symbol, representation, or classic example of something, “The Statue of Liberty is emblematic of freedom and welcoming opportunity.”
dramatized – (verb/past participle) adapted, presented, or written about in a dramatic, theatrical, or highly engaging story format for television, theater, or film, “The historical struggle for civil rights was beautifully dramatized in the award-winning movie.”
come to fruition – (idiom) to successfully happen, occur, or be completed as planned, usually after a long time or a lot of effort, “After years of hard work, her dream of opening her own bakery finally came to fruition.”
teamed up – (phrasal verb) joined forces, combined efforts, or worked together with another person or group to achieve a common goal, “The two local charities teamed up to organize a massive food drive for families in need.”
enlisting – (verb/gerund) securing the help, support, or services of someone for a specific cause, project, or task, “The director is enlisting the help of top designers to create the costumes for the upcoming play.”