IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 602 

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop and designating August 

11, 2023, as ‘‘Hip Hop Celebration Day’’, designating August 2023 

as ‘‘Hip Hop Recognition Month’’, and designating November 2023 as 

‘‘Hip Hop History Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 19, 2023 

Mr. BOWMAN (for himself, Ms. WATERS, and Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip hop and designating August 11, 2023, as ‘‘Hip Hop Celebration Day’’, 

designating August 2023 as ‘‘Hip Hop Recognition 

Month’’, and designating November 2023 as ‘‘Hip Hop 

History Month’’. 

Whereas 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the creation of hip 

hop; 

Whereas, on August 11, 1973, Clive ‘‘DJ Kool Herc’’ Campbell introduced his innovative style of disc jockeying at an 

event organized by his sister, Cindy Campbell, called the 

‘‘Back To School Jam’’, which was held in the recreation 

room of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York; 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
2 

•HRES 602 IH 

Whereas, together, Clive ‘‘DJ Kool Herc’’ Campbell and the 

master of ceremonies engaged the crowd with rap on the 

microphone, while partygoers known as B-boys and Bgirls danced, and introduced a new style, later known as 

‘‘hip hop’’, which combined the elements of a disc jockey 

(commonly known as a ‘‘DJ’’), a master of ceremonies 

(commonly known as an ‘‘MC’’), music, art, and dance; 

Whereas Clive ‘‘DJ Kool Herc’’ Campbell was inducted into 

the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023; 

Whereas, from the humble beginnings of hip hop in New 

York City, the music, lyricism, dance, and art of hip hop 

has become a culture found in communities across the 

United States, and has long been a worldwide phenomenon; 

Whereas the art and culture of hip hop is an original creation 

of the United States and one of the most popular genres 

of music within the United States; 

Whereas hip hop has had notable southern influences following its northern inception, such as jazz and bounce 

from New Orleans, Louisiana, the blues from Mississippi, 

and country from the South, and these influences along 

with other celebrated genres of music, such as disco, gospel, soul, rock and roll, and Indigenous music from 

across the United States, have all helped hip hop transcend boundaries and contributed significant intellectual 

heritage and regional influence to the creation and progression of hip hop over the last century; 

Whereas the hip hop genre has been reinvented often over the 

years since 1973, reflecting the State, city, and region of 

the music, from G-funk and hyphy on the West Coast, 

to bass and trap in the South, to drill in the Midwest, 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
3 

•HRES 602 IH 

to many other sounds from coast to coast and from 

abroad, including contemporary hip hop, which continues 

that trend by allowing listeners not only to unwind and 

escape through a rhythmic beat but also to resonate and 

empathize with the stories being told; 

Whereas hip hop artists and supporters, originally of African 

heritage, now transcend many different ages, ethnicities, 

religions, locations, political affiliations, and socioeconomic statuses, which demonstrates the versatility and 

inclusivity of hip hop art and culture; 

Whereas the art and culture of hip hop have been adapted 

in many innovative forms that are inspirational, challenging, humorous, thought-provoking, and spiritual; 

Whereas hip hop as a multidimensional art form and lifestyle 

continues to produce new subgenres of music and stylistic 

lexicons and promotes new cultural imprints, trends, and 

movements that reverberate across the United States and 

around the globe; 

Whereas hip hop has provided opportunities for extracurricular activities, youth empowerment, creative outlets, 

physical fitness, vocabulary exercises, poetry, analytical 

thinking, entertainment, employment, and economic impact and has become an industry that generates more 

than $1,000,000,000 annually; 

Whereas hip hop art, education, and culture have positive effects on society; 

Whereas, on August 11, 2023, the Federal Government, 

States, cities, and towns will observe Hip Hop Celebration Day; 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB
4 

•HRES 602 IH 

Whereas, during the month of August 2023, the Federal Government, States, cities, and towns will observe Hip Hop 

Recognition Month; and 

Whereas, during the month of November 2023, the Federal 

Government, States, cities, and towns will observe Hip 

Hop History Month: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Hip Hop Cele3 bration Day’’; 

4 (2) supports the designation of ‘‘Hip Hop Rec5 ognition Month’’; 

6 (3) supports the designation of ‘‘Hip Hop His7 tory Month’’; 

8 (4) recognizes the 50 years of contributions of 

9 hip hop to art and culture; 

10 (5) encourages Members to commemorate the 

11 50th anniversary of hip hop and support appropriate 

12 activities that recognize the historic milestone and 

13 cultural legacy of the ‘‘Back To School Jam’’ of Au14 gust 11, 1973; and 

15 (6) encourages local governments in the United 

16 States to build partnerships with local hip hop enti17 ties and other members of the creative arts and 

18 music communities in celebration of the 50th anni19 versary of hip hop. 

Æ 


pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB