Kool Herc, often cited as one of hip-hop's inventors, has a recording

deal with Reprise Records and plans to release an album on the label

sometime next year, the artist said Tuesday (Nov. 16) at a New York

listening session for Rakim's new album, The Master. Kool

Herc said the disc would be a compilation of his music, featuring other

rappers. A spokesperson for Reprise said the label is unsure what the

album will include, because they don't have any of Kool Herc's music yet.

Kool Herc (born Clive Campbell), with Grandmaster Flash and others,

is credited with fostering hip-hop's growth, via block parties and

competitions, in New York in the late 1970s. At the parties, he would

often serve as master of ceremonies. Kool Herc said rapper KRS-One,

who works as an A&R representative for Reprise, signed him.