Dr. King would be Proud!! Says DJ Kool Herc

By Mike Winslow and Jamile Karout

As pioneer Kool Herc attempts to realize his dream of purchasing a historical landmark noted for birthing Hip-Hop culture, the legendary DJ took time out to thank slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for his message of brotherhood and equality.

“Dr. King’s dream still goes on,” Kool Herc told AllHipHop.com. “Little black boys and little white girls break dancing together and rapping together. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream still lives on, happy birthday to you Dr. King.  Today (January 21) is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. day in the United States.

Dr. King, who was born January 15, was shot and killed in Memphis, Tennessee in 1968.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a legendary African-American figure who fought for civil rights in the United States and protested the Vietnam war, using non-violent tactics.

He delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during a March on Washington in 1963 and the following year, Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent attempts to end segregation .

Dr. King was assassinated on April 4,1968.

Kool Herc, who is regarded as the founder of Hip-Hop, noted that the genre of music has unified people all across the world, despite race, religion, creed or culture.  The DJ is calling upon Hip-Hop fans across the world to help save the genre’s birthplace at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx.  Last week Kool Herc, New York Senator Charles Schumer and residents at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue unveiled a tenant-sponsored plan to buy the affordable housing project to prevent it from sold to a private investment group.

“You [Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.] would love to see what Hip-Hop has done, what grew from the community and went worldwide,” Kool Herc told AllHipHop.com.

For more information on Save 1520, visit http://www.save1520.org.

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Kool Herc wants to buy 1520 Sedgwick Avenue!! Hip Hop is ALIVE!

Legendary Hip-Hop co-founder DJ Kool Herc is joining forces with US Senator Charles Schumer and residents of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue to unveil a tenant-sponsored plan to buy the affordable housing project.

The location, which is noted for being the birthplace of Hip-Hop, is currently on the auction block as it stands to lose its affordable housing program when its owners, BSR Management, sell the project to a private investment group.  Since receiving notice of BSR’s plans in February 2007, tenants have been actively working to preserve the cultural and affordable character of the building.  The cause received a boost later that year as 1520 Sedgwick officially became eligible for listing on the State and National Register of Historic Places as the official birthplace of Hip-Hop in July.

Last month, 1520 Sedgwick residents received another glimmer of hope when BSR offered to step out of the deal and let residents purchase the project.

Despite the gesture, residents may have an uphill battle in obtaining the property. Preservation sales are difficult due to the inflated value of real estate throughout New York City.

1520 Sedgwick Avenue is held in high regard among Hip-Hop purists. In 1973, DJ Kool Herc laid groundwork for the invention of Hip-Hop during a party in the 100-unit apartment complex’ community room.  In addition to birthing Hip-Hop culture, 1520 Sedgwick Avenue is one of the few remaining affordable housing complexes in the West Bronx created through the NY State Mitchell-Lama program.

The City of New York is doing its part to help preserve the project by assisting the tenants with the preservation proposal.  The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) have tentatively committed several million dollars in subsidy to advance the tenants’ plan.

The 1520 Sedgwick Avenue tenants, along with Schumer and DJ Kool Herc, will reveal their financial and long term ownership plan for the preservation of the project at a press conference.

The event will take place today at 9:45 am Tuesday (January 15) in the 1520 Sedgwick Avenue community room.

This is a very interesting story that I wanted to share with people So Please, put some positive thoughts into the universe for HIP HOP!

I will do a re: cap once I find out how we can help support this movement.

As Always thanks for reading…

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John Robinson