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Leon Laing talks Hip-Hop & Journalism and how the two interconnect

WITF Celebrates Hip-Hop turning 50

  • By Marquis Lupton
Freelance photographer Leon Laing works the 2023 Juneteenth Conference at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pa., Jun. 10, 2023.
Mark Pynes | pennlive.com

Freelance photographer Leon Laing works the 2023 Juneteenth Conference at the National Civil War Museum in Harrisburg, Pa., Jun. 10, 2023. Mark Pynes | pennlive.com

Airdate: October 18th, 2023

Since the beginning of 2023, Americans around the country have been celebrating the 50th year of Hip-Hop being in existence. One of the most influential hip hop pioneers was DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican immigrant regarded as the founding father of hip hop. Kool Herc made history in 1973 when he and his sister hosted the “Back to School Jam” in the recreation room of their Bronx apartment building at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. That was the beginning of the genre of music we enjoy today from artist like Jay-Z, Eminiem, Kanye West, and Drake. But, the genre encompasses so much more, like breaking dancing, graffiti, art, and journalism. Leon Laing a hip-hop photojournalist joins us on the The Spark today, to talk about his journey, and how he got involved in Hip-hop journalism and photography.

Leon’s Hip-hop Pictures: https://leonlaing.smugmug.com/The-Book-of-Hov/n-934D39/

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