THE CHUCK CITY CREW: Where Is The Birthplace Of The Outside Jam?

THE CHUCK CITY CREW

Did Hip-Hop’s First Outside Jam Really Happen at Sedgwick & Cedar?

Let’s clear something up.

For decades, we’ve been taught that Hip-Hop was born at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue — Kool Herc’s legendary party on August 11, 1973. That story gets told over and over, from documentaries to museum plaques.

But here's the real:That party may have launched a movement, but it wasn't the first outside jam. It wasn’t even outside.

The Age of Unveiling

We’re in a time where old truths are getting re-examined. The word apocalypse — from the Greek apokalypsis — means “uncovering,” “lifting of the veil.” And that’s exactly what’s happening across all corners of culture, including Hip-Hop.

As more research surfaces and old heads speak up, some of our historical talking points need rechecking — not out of disrespect, but out of respect for the full picture.

Kool Herc’s Legacy: Unshakable

Let’s be clear: Kool Herc earned his status.He revolutionized the party by isolating and extending the break — laying the foundation for B-Boys, MCs, and eventually the entire culture of Hip-Hop. That’s legendary. That’s foundational.

But was Herc the first to throw an outdoor jam by tapping into a streetlight and bringing the block to life?

No. He wasn’t. That title belongs to someone else.

Who Really Brought the First Outside Jam?

Disco King Mario.

Say his name.

Before Sedgwick parties were packed, before the term “Hip-Hop” was even on wax, Disco King Mario was stringing up speakers in Bronx parks and housing projects — legally.

He didn’t just tap power. He pulled permits. That’s right — he secured a city-approved permit to play outside for 21 days straight, what came to be known as the 21 Days of Summer.

We’re talking Rosedale Park. Lafayette. Monroe. Lollipop Street. The Carriage Room.

Soundview Centers. Roller rinks. Bowling alleys. If there was an outlet and a crowd, Mario had it live.

The Chuck City Crew: The Forgotten Architects

Mario wasn’t moving solo. He built a squad known as the Chuck City Crew, one of the earliest organized DJ crews in the Bronx. The lineup included:

• Spanky

• Hollywood

• Tex – recognized as the first Latino DJ in the culture

• DJ Dee – who joined after relocating from Brooklyn in ‘71

Mario himself started DJing around 1969. Known for his booming sound system, “echo box” mic style, and rubber-leg dances, he became the model of what it meant to control a crowd outside.

It’s also said that he was among the first to transport turntables in a coffin-style case — a setup that would later become standard in DJ culture.

So What Does This Mean?

No, this doesn’t dethrone Kool Herc.His contributions are still sacred. He shaped how DJs played music, expanded the breakbeat, and opened the doors for MCs and B-Boys to become stars.

But when we talk about where and how Hip-Hop physically hit the block — on outdoor speakers, under streetlights, in front of real people — we have to name:

Disco King MarioThe Chuck City CrewBronxdale. Bronx River. Soundview.

This wasn’t just music — it was infrastructure. Permits, crews, gear, and community strategy. That’s what laid the groundwork for what would explode in the years to come.

Time to Correct the Record

It’s not about canceling Herc. It’s about honoring Mario. It’s about giving flowers while the ancestors can still hear the echoes.

The first outdoor jams? They didn’t start at Sedgwick & Cedar. They started in the South Bronx with Disco King Mario and the Chuck City Crew — the original organizers of the Hip-Hop block party.

Let’s tell the full story. One.