LL Cool J changed the trajectory of Hip Hop forever, but he has never lost sight of the heroes who started it all, namely DJ Kool Herc.
On Friday (November 3), the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place at the Barclays Center in New York City. One of the highlights of the evening was when the Def Jam icon welcomed the 68-year-old legend into the Hall in its Musical Influence category. Herc is widely credited with DJing the party that marked the birth of Hip Hop, on August 11, 1973.
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“It’s a culture that changed my life and changed the lives of millions and millions of people,” LL said of Hip Hop. “When Herc first started, there were no accountants or record companies that believed in it. But Herc believed in it.
“This is Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary, so it’s all the more appropriate that were are here to honor and recognize one of the founding fathers of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc.”
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The Bronx turntablist then took the stage along with his sister, Cindy Campbell, who threw and promoted the now-legendary party, which was put on to get her money for new school clothes.
Tearing up, Herc said: “All the people, man, built me up. But my sister, she needs some props, too.”
.@llcoolj honored the creative genius and boundless innovation of @DjKoolHerc, and his remarkable impact on music history. Stream #RockHall2023 NOW on @DisneyPlus!
📷: Getty Images / Rock Hall pic.twitter.com/mk2Oa194TM— Rock Hall (@rockhall) November 4, 2023
Missy Elliott was among those inducted into the new class of the Rock Hall as well, and she made it a point to heap a ton of praise on Hip Hop ahead of her appearance at the event.
The Virginia native, who became the first female rapper ever inducted into the hall, sat down with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America a day prior to the annual gathering to discuss the feat.
“Words cannot describe [the honor of being inducted],” she said. “It just hasn’t clicked. When you in the Hip Hop world, it seems so far out of reach. And it being the 50th year of Hip Hop, just the whole…it’s layers. No matter what people say, the Hip Hop world is something special and unique.”
When the news of her being honored broke earlier this year, the rapper and songwriter took to social media to express her gratitude.
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“I want to say this is HUGE not for just me but all my Sisters in HIPHOP this door is now OPEN to showcase the hard work that many of us WOMEN contribute to MUSIC,” Missy wrote. “I have cried all day because I am GRATEFUL thank you @rockhall & all on the committee & Supafriends.”
She continued: “It’s times I have gotten on line & seen your irrelevant your a flop your washed up & it would crush me at times. BUT God you made me STRONG I kept going & you allowed my decades of WORK to SPEAK 4 itself. I am HUMBLED thank you all my Supporters. I LOVE YOU.”
