in FACTS, 1970s

Keith “Cowboy” Wiggins coined the term “Hip-Hop”

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Keith “Cowboy” Wiggins, a member of and , is credited for originating the term “” in 1978. Keith “Cowboy” Wiggins used the term to mock a friend named Kokomo in the US Army chanting, “Hip-hop-hip-hop-hip-hop.” The term “Hip-Hop” was a similar rhythm to marching troops. Keith “Cowboy” Wiggins later incorporated the “hip-hop” rhythmic cadence in a stage performance.

Keith Wiggins coined the term “Hip-Hop”

Though Keith “Cowboy” Wiggins is credited for originating the term “Hip-Hop” in 1978. Lovebug Starski, Keith Cowboy, and DJ Hollywood used the term when was still known as disco .

Hip-Hop later began being used by disco musicians in a derogatory way to identify a new type of being performed by MCs and DJs. But the name’s negative connotation wore off and the name stuck.

“Rapper’s Delight” by , released in 1979, begins with the phrase “I said a hip, hop, the hippie the hippie to the hip hip hop, and you don’t stop”.

Purchase our 100 Hip-Hop Facts (1973-2000) Book

Read: The term “Hip-Hop” first appeared in print on September 21st, 1982

Read: The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” was the first rap song to use a sample

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