From the Bronx to Miami: how two turntables created hip hop

August 1973, the Bronx, New York: at a neighborhood party, DJ Kool Herc used two turntables to extend the “breaks”, the instrumental sections where people danced the most. The foundations of hip hop were born there: DJing, MCing, breaking and graffiti.

In the 1980s, Miami created its own version: Miami bass, faster, more festive and driven by the deep low end of the 808 drum machine, popularized by groups like 2 Live Crew.

That sound crossed the continent and became one of the foundations of Rio de Janeiro's baile funk. In São Paulo, the São Bento subway station became a meeting point for breakdancers in the 1980s, and Brazilian hip hop found its own voice with names like Racionais MC's.

On the floor, hip hop and Miami bass bring attitude and bass: they work great at parties, graduations and the “turn it up” moment of the night.