DJ Kool Herc, born Clive Campbell in 1955, is a Jamaican-American DJ and one of the pioneers of hip-hop music. He is best known for his innovative use of turntables and mixers, which helped to create the breakbeat style that became foundational to hip-hop. His parties in the South Bronx during the early 1970s laid the groundwork for the genre's development. Herc's technique involved isolating and repeating the instrumental breaks of songs, allowing dancers to showcase their moves. This approach not only energized the crowd but also inspired other artists, including Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa, to further develop the hip-hop culture.