Kool Herc, one of hip hop music’s pioneers, will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November for his contribution to that genre which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The Kingston-born sound system maverick becomes the third Jamaican in the ‘Hall’. The others are Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff who were inducted in 1994 and 2010, respectively.

Born Clive Campbell, Kool Herc was named in the ‘Hall’s Class of 2023 on Tuesday by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. He is being recognised in the category, Musical Influence.

The 68 year-old Kool Herc spent his formative years in Trench Town and Franklyn Town. He migrated with his family to the United States in 1968, settling in The Bronx, New York.

He initially made his name as a dancer in The Bronx, before becoming a regular at sound system parties throughout New York City’s boroughs where he would play mainly funk music. It is widely documented that what became hip hop started during a party at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx where Kool Herc staged a back-to-school party for his younger sister.

In a 2008 interview with New York Magazine, Kool Herc spoke about the significance of preserving his former home.

“It’s like Graceland or the Grand Ole Opry; it’s the birthplace, where it all started from. It’s a piece of the American Dream and we just want to preserve it,’ he said.

In other interviews, Kool Herc has cited toaster King Stitt, and dub visionaries Lee “Scratch” Perry and Osbourne “King Tubby” Ruddock among his influences. He joins fellow hip hop stalwarts Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five, LL Cool J and Run DMC in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Missy Elliott, Kate Bush, Rage Against The Machine, Chaka Khan, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson, George Michael, and The Spinners are other members of the Class of 2023.

“This year’s incredible group of inductees reflects the diverse artistes and sounds that define rock & roll,” said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “We are honoured that this November’s Induction Ceremony in New York will coincide with two milestones in music culture; the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson and the 50th Anniversary of the birth of hip-hop.”