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DJ Kool Herc to be Honored at New York City Event

Posted May 17th 2011 6:15PM by Nadeska Alexis
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Johnny Nunez, WireImage

Legendary hip-hop DJ Kool Herc will be honored at a special event in New York City on Tuesday night (May 17).

Celebrated hip-hop artists including Black Thought, Questlove, Big Daddy Kane, Jeru Tha Damaja and DJ Premier will toast the pioneering MC at B.B. King's Blues & Grill in Times Square.

The Jamaican-born, Bronx-bred music veteran is credited as being the founding father of modern day hip-hop. His break-beat djing and rhymes were adapted by artists such as Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa, who introduced the new music to mainstream listeners.

In January, Herc was suddenly hospitalized without health insurance and was unable to pay for surgery. At the time, DJ Premier announced the news on his radio show, HeadQcourterz, which airs on Sirius satellite radio. He urged listeners to lend their financial support to the music industry veteran.

"For those that know about Hip-Hop, who we call the father of Hip-Hop, Kool Herc, is not doing well," Premier announced. "It's funny how we have a father of a culture that still lives, where as in some cultures they are dead and gone even though they may still be worshipped or reflected on in some kind of way [sic]."

Tuesday night's event will also celebrate the 50th birthday of Grandmaster Melle Mel. The show starts at B.B. King's at 9PM. Some proceeds from the event will be donated to the DJ Kool Herc Fund.

Listen to Kool Herc's 'Merry Go Round'