Where did the name hip-hop come from?

While there are various explanations for the origin of the term hip-hop, the most widely recognized account involves Keith "Keef Cowboy" Wiggins, a member of the influential rap group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.1

According to this account, Wiggins began using the phrase "hip/hop/hip/hop" to mimic the rhythmic sound of soldiers marching, specifically as a way to tease a friend who had recently joined the U.S. Army. Some reports suggest that Kevin "Lovebug Starski" Smith was present with Wiggins and contributed to the creation of the phrase. The term was later popularized through its inclusion in early music, most notably in the 1979 hit "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang.12