Emotional DJ Kool Herc inducted into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Jamaica-born DJ Kool Herc on Friday received the Musical Influence Award at the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, with rapper LL Cool J, who presented to Herc, calling him “one of the great founders of hip-hop”.

Herc, whose real name is Clive Campbell, is referred to as the Father of Hip-Hop.

“Arguably, no one made a bigger contribution to hip-hop culture than DJ Kool Herc,” LL Cool J said and then turned to the older artist: “You lit the fire and it's still blazing.”

A visibly moved Herc was unable to speak for a few moments before thanking his parents, James Brown, Marcus Garvey and Harry Belafonte, among others.

Herc's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year comes as hip-hop celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Meanwhile, Sheryl Crow and Chaka Khan made the crowd roar at the 2023 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, with the Queen of Funk doing a medley of her hits including Ain't Nobody and the Southern singer-songwriter knocking out an electric version of her If It Makes You Happy alongside Olivia Rodrigo.

Crow joined by Rodrigo — both in black — traded verses as they both played guitars. Stevie Nicks later joined Crow for a performance of Strong Enough and Peter Frampton came out to help sing Everyday Is a Winding Road.

“This is a little bit like getting an Oscar for a screenplay you have not finished writing,” Crow said. She thanked her parents for unconditional love “and piano lessons.” She called music a “universal gift.”

Fellow inductees Missy Elliott and Willie Nelson also were expected to be taking the microphone at the ceremony at Barclays Center in New York.

- AP

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