Afrika Bambaataa

Universal Zulu Nation founder Afrika Bambaataa is credited with first using the term to describe the subculture in which the music belonged; although it is also suggested that it was a derogatory term to describe the type of music. The first use of the term in print was in The Village Voice, by Steven Hager, later author of a 1984 history of hip hop.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lDCYjb8RHk

Keith Cowboy and The Furious Five

When we hear people talk about Hip Hop greats that have passed , we often hear of Tupac , Biggie , Jam Master Jay and maybe even Scott La Rock. But very seldom is the name Keith “Cowboy” Wiggins mentioned. Keith Cowboy laid the foundation for the call & response tactics that we have seen almost EVERY Emcee use since the 70s. Everytime you hear “throw your hands in the air” , “Say hoooo” etc. etc. you are listening to the creations of Cowboy.  Unfortunately Cowboy did not get the chance to see his contributions reach every corner of the globe. Its only right that Cowboy’s story be told by those closest to him – his family members & fellow Furious 5 brothers…….

Origin of the term

Creation of the term hip hop is often credited to Keith Cowboy, rapper with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. However, Lovebug Starski, Keith Cowboy, and DJ Hollywood used the term when the music was still known as disco rap. It is believed that Cowboy created the term while teasing a friend who had just joined the U.S. Army, by scat singing the words "hip/hop/hip/hop" in a way that mimicked the rhythmic cadence of soldiers marching. Cowboy later worked the "hip hop" cadence into a part of his stage performance, which was quickly used by other artists such as The Sugarhill Gang in "Rapper's Deligth".