If you had to choose one moment to mark the birth of the hip hop movement, August 11, 1973, would stand out as the most defining. On that day, Cindy Campbell hosted a back-to-school party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx—now considered a historic address in hip hop culture. Her brother, DJ Kool Herc, introduced a new DJing technique at the event, looping the breakbeat section of records using what he called the “Merry-Go-Round.” This innovation laid the foundation for the signature sound of hip hop.
To honor this moment, Hip-Hop Celebration Day is observed each year on August 11. In 2023, the year hip hop turned 50, the day was marked by 19 official events and was formally recognized by the U.S. Congress as Hip-Hop Celebration Day.
🎶 See also our complete list of music-themed national days celebrated through the year.
What Can You Do On Hip-Hop Celebration Day?
On August 11th, hip hop fans celebrate the culture’s roots and influence through events like block parties, concerts, and museum visits. Many also share music, videos, and memories online using hashtags like #HipHopCelebrationDay to honor the movement’s history and legacy. If you need more ideas, here are a few things you can do on August 11th to celebrate hip-hop music:
- Attend a local block party or outdoor concert. Many cities, especially those with strong hip-hop roots like New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, host community events featuring live DJs, freestyle MC battles, breakdancing showcases, and graffiti art walls. These events aim to recreate the original Bronx block party vibe from 1973 and often include food vendors, open mics, and family-friendly activities.
- Engage online and amplify the culture. Use the day to post your favorite old-school tracks, rare mixtapes, or memories of how hip hop has shaped your life. You can also share photos of hip-hop-inspired art, or even share your own hip-hop music, especially tributes to the forefathers of hip-hop. Look for hashtags like #HipHopCelebrationDay, or #1520Sedgwick to make sure you find other like-minded people.
- Join a dance workshop, DJ session, or MC showcase. Cultural centers, dance studios, and music schools sometimes offer special classes and open sessions to mark the day. From learning the basics of breakdancing or popping to trying your hand at DJing with turntables, these activities invite people of all skill levels to experience the elements of hip hop firsthand.
- Visit museums, libraries, or galleries hosting hip-hop exhibits. Some institutions present pop-up installations, film screenings, or panel discussions on the origins and impact of hip hop culture. For example, the Universal Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture have both hosted major events tied to August 11.
Who Were the Pioneers of Hip-Hop?
The roots of hip hop trace back to the Bronx in the 1970s, where a handful of artists—without knowing the future impact of their actions—helped shape the genre we know as hip-hop. Who were these people? We’ll introduce you to some of the early stars who helped make hip hop what it is today.
- DJ Kool Herc is widely credited with starting it all. At a back-to-school party on August 11, 1973, he debuted a new DJing style called the “Merry-Go-Round,” where he extended the instrumental “break” in funk songs by using two turntables. This allowed dancers to showcase their moves during longer breaks and gave rise to the breakbeat—the foundation of hip hop music.
- Afrika Bambaataa, best known for the 1982 single Planet Rock, played a key role in turning hip hop into a cultural movement. He founded the Universal Zulu Nation, which emphasized peace, unity, and community through music and art. His influence helped connect hip hop to larger social and political ideas.
- Grandmaster Flash revolutionized DJing by perfecting techniques like backspinning, punch phrasing, and scratching. His group, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, helped bring hip hop’s message to a wider audience with songs like The Message and White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It), which tackled issues like poverty and addiction.
- MC Sha-Rock was the first prominent female MC and a member of the Funky 4 + 1. She helped open doors for women in hip hop, showing that lyrical skill and stage presence weren’t limited by gender.
- The Sugarhill Gang brought hip hop to the mainstream in 1979 with their single Rapper’s Delight. Though they weren’t part of the Bronx scene that birthed the genre, their commercial success introduced millions of listeners to rap music.
- Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to sign with a major record label. His 1980 hit The Breaks became a hip hop classic and helped legitimize the genre in the eyes of the music industry.
Together, these pioneers shaped the sounds, styles, and values that still define hip hop today. On August 11th, their contributions are remembered and celebrated as the movement continues to evolve.
Before You Go:
We have many more national days lists for you to explore.
- Food-related national days: complete list of national food days, pasta & noodles days, vegan & vegetarian days, mushroom days, ice-cream days, pizza days, coffee days, chocolate days, wine days, alcohol & drinking days.
- Non-food national days: National Days Calendar 2025 (check out the printable calendars in my Etsy shop), National Days for Teachers, and a wide array of special lists such as cat days, dog days, animal days, cleaning & organizing days, book days, music days, family & relationships days, national days for women, stationery days and even Harry Potter days.
- Country-specific national days: Australian national days, more coming soon.
