DJ Kool Herc, born Clive Campbell and later known as the father of Hip-Hop, needs some help. According to MTV the 55-year-old is in need of surgery and is currently seeking financial help, as one of America's many uninsured. DJ Premier announced Herc’s hospitalization, along with his financial troubles, on his SIRIUS satellite radio show this weekend.

Herc became famous for deejaying all over the South Bronx in the '70s. As legend has it, on August 11th, 1973 he deejayed the rec room of 1520 Sedgwick—an event that gave the building its Birthplace of Hip-Hop nickname. At the event he introduced extended break beats, which he discusses in the video below:

While those credited as co-creators of hip-hop—Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa—have gone on to experience success, Herc had pretty much dropped out of the scene around 1977, after being stabbed and subsequently falling into drugs. More recently, however, he's been drug-free and spotted at major hip-hop shows.

According to DJ Premier, Herc is "very sick and is in need of surgery, the exact nature of the Hip-Hop founder’s illness has yet to be revealed. There could be an NYC benefit as soon as tomorrow at Sutra. In the meantime, donations to Kool Herc can be sent to: Kool Herc Productions PO Box 20472 Huntington Station, NY 11746 or paypal cindycampbell1(at)aol(dot)com.