The Originators of Hip Hop

If you know who the image above is then this clothing brand is right up your street if you don't read on it's time for some Hip Hop schoolin'. The image above is “Love Bug” Starski is the person that coined the term “Hip-Hop”. “Love Bug” Starski’s career began working with legendary Pete DJ Jones and from there he would move onto playing at every club in the Hip-Hop scene. As one of the 1st DJs to rock both the turntables and the microphone, his crowd rocking style and ability landed him the recognition by some as the best party rocker of the time. He would later become the house DJ for clubs like the Disco Fever, Harlem World, and the Renaissance Ballroom.

The Originators was started in 2004, by then filmmaker Adam Bach.

"After 30 years of Hip-Hop it was time to look back and give credit and respect to those that helped build it," says founder Adam Bach. "These guys, and still many others, built its very foundation. Hip-Hop is a strong Culture today, and it's time we learn who was instrumental in its conception and growth."

"I had a strong desire to tell these guys stories in films. One day, I got the idea. Instead of taking a lot of money that I didn't have and 2 years of my life to tell one guys story, I could tell all of the early Pioneers stories in t-shirts and in clothing. With every shirt I would include a hang-tag with a biography of the person on the shirt so that the consumer could learn more about that individual. I saw it as an opportunity to educate on the early years of Hip-Hop, and on those responsible for its growth ... That's when I got the idea for The Originators."

Adam is passionate about what he does as he tells us more.

"Every Artist involved in this thing, is under a per-unit licensing deal, so the Artist makes money on every shirt sold bearing their name and likeness. This was very important to us when setting up the company. I wanted the Originator to make money as the company made money. They do well as we do well, and that's the way it should be."

"I know this sounds funny but we want to grow organically, almost grassroots, like the Hip-Hop Movement itself. There will be other lines that try to do we have done. They will saturate the marketplace in an attempt to make money ... but the key in this thing is to do things with integrity and to do things correct, historically. We have a large responsibility here and we know it."