There are thousands of artists in New York City. Some are famous internationally, while others are scratching out a living while perfecting their craft in basements or on stage. WNYC is bringing a few of them to the spotlight, in their own voices.

Here, DJ Kool Herc, one of the pioneers of hip-hop. Exactly 40 years ago, he started DJing in the community room of a residential building in The Bronx. He isolated the most danceable part of songs and put them together, creating one of the key elements of hip-hop.

Forty years later, Herc said he believes hip-hop has achieved Martin Luther King's dream, bringing white and black kids together. And reaching the highest rankings of power. "Presidents are calling rapper people's names, that never happened before," he said. "Hip-hop is really important, as a matter of fact it's bigger than the government."

Herc will playing at Crotona Park in The Bronx this Wednesday at 7 PM and in Central Park on Saturday August 10th at 3 pm. Both concerts are free.

To hear Herc talk about his work and music, click on the audio link above.

(Courtesy of City Parks Foundation)