Res. No. 919

Resolution proclaiming the month of November as Hip-Hop Month in the City of New York and urging the New York State Legislature and Governor to declare the month of November as Hip-Hop Appreciation Month in the State of New York.

By Council Members Cabrera, King, Koo and Rosenthal

Whereas, Hip-Hop is a musical style and cultural art form, which was created in the early 1970s in The Bronx, and has become a global phenomenon; and

Whereas, Hip-Hop originated as a cultural movement in response to the social and economic disparities in communities throughout New York City, particularly, in the South Bronx; and

Whereas, Afrika Baambata, founder of the Universal Zulu Nation, and one of the legendary Hip-Hop pioneers who is credited for first using the term “Hip-Hop”, stated that when Hip-Hop was created, the intention was for “peace, love, unity and having fun so that people could get away from the negativity that was plaguing our streets”; and

Whereas, Early Hip-Hop culture was comprised of four main elements: DJing, rapping, breakdancing and graffiti; and

Whereas, Clive Campbell, also known as DJ Kool Herc, is credited with creating Hip-Hop music, and is often referred to as the Father of Hip-Hop; and

Whereas, DJ Kool Herc is recognized for his innovative mixing style by experimenting with the instrumental breaks (rhythmic drum beats) of funk, soul, and R&B records, which formed the basis of Hip-Hop music; and

Whereas, DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican-born immigrant, incorporated mixing techniques from his Jamaican culture, which contributed to the development of Hip-Hop music, such as “dubbing” (the removal of vocals on a record), and “chanting” or “toasting” (using spoken lyrics while mixing records), which later became known as “MCing” or “rapping”; and

Whereas, He also named the dancers who performed to his instrumental breaks as “breakers”, “b-boys” or “b-girls”, commonly known as “breakdancers”; and

Whereas, In 1979, the Sugar Hill Gang produced Hip-Hop’s first commercially successful hit, “Rapper’s Delight”; and

Whereas, Over the past forty years, Hip-Hop has made a significant impact worldwide, and has become a multi-billion dollar industry that has influences in various areas, including fashion, television and film, automotive design, collegiate and professional sports, mass media marketing and advertising, according to a study at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); and

Whereas, On May 16, 2001, more than 300 people gathered at the United Nations in New York City for the signing of the “Hip-Hop Declaration of Peace,” a document acknowledging Hip-Hop as a certified international culture of peace and prosperity; and

Whereas, According to the Universal Zulu Nation, the oldest and largest grass roots Hip-Hop organization, the official birthday of Hip-Hop is November 12, 1974; and

Whereas, During the month of November, Hip-Hop music enthusiasts celebrate Hip-Hop History Month; and

Whereas, Although Hip-Hop History Month has been celebrated by the Hip-Hop community for more than 34 years, it is not yet recognized by mainstream society; and

Whereas, Lehman College, at the City University of New York, held its first annual Hip-Hop History Month Celebration in November 2013; and

Whereas, In the month of November, Hip-Hop should be officially recognized and celebrated for its rich culture and universal influence; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York proclaims the month of November as Hip-Hop Month in the City of New York and urges the New York State Legislature and Governor to declare the month of November as Hip-Hop Appreciation Month in the State of New York.

LS 1064 & 1065

4/1/14

2:30 p.m.

TC