Mean Gene's first anniversary!, with Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic 5, Power Sounds, Tantalizing Two, and Kool Dee & Tyrone, at the Ecstasy Garage, Bronx, April 4, 1981

Party flyers were a staple in the early years of Hip-Hop and hard-copy invitations were the main medium for communicating information and promoting an event. The flyers symbolized many key appearances, acts, conventions, DJ performances, and contests in the Hip-Hop scene. Many flyers were created by local graffiti artists such as Buddy Esquire and Phase 2. The flyers were often presented by Hip-Hop promoters, DJs, and MCs who hosted the parties. Money was given to the artist to draw creative art and graphics for about $40-$60 for approximately 1,000 party flyers. The parks’ open public spaces have provided the perfect venues for park jams, impromptu dance-offs, DJ battles, and rap battles that established the sound, fashion, art, and message of Hip-Hop. Most of the Hip-Hop parties were a space for positivity where many of the Hip-Hop community could escape the realities of racism that included police brutality, drug abuse, and gang violence in their surrounding communities.

The Ecstasy Garage had been originally used as an after-hour club founded and owned by Arthur Armstrong (Army, Art Armstrong). Mean Gene was the house DJ and eventually became the manager of the club. The first Ecstasy was on Jerome Ave, but the second Ecstasy Garage was located on Macomb’s Road. Arthur was the house DJ and at one point and time the Grand Wizzard Theodore. Ecstasy Garage Disco was open every Friday and Saturday and occasionally on Sundays.

Treacherous Three is considered one of the pioneering old school Hip-Hop groups from Harlem, formed in 1978, consisting of Kool Moe Dee (Mohandas Dewese, b. 1963), LA Sunshine (Lamar Hill, b. unknown), and Special K (Kevin Keaton, b. 1963), and DJ Easy Lee (Theodore Moy'e, b. unknown). One of the very first Rap acts put to wax, the Treacherous Three made their debut in 1978 on Enjoy Records and released several singles on the label, most notably "The Body Rock" (1980). The Treacherous Three became well known for their singles "Feel the Heartbeat" and "Whip It". They released their debut fulllength album and were featured in the 1984 breakdance cult-movie Beat Street, performing the song "Xmas Rap" with Doug E. Fresh. As one of the members of one of the first Rap groups on record, Treacherous Three were also signed to Sugar Hill Records. Their talent influenced the emergence of fast style of rapping called speed rapping which influenced the later course of Hip-Hop.

Leader of the Zulu Nation and known as one of the “Godfathers of Hip-Hop " Afrika Bambaataa (Lance Taylor, b. 1957) is a DJ, producer, rapper and songwriter from the Southeast Bronx. As a former gang member, Afrika Bambaataa began DJing at local parties in the early 1970s playing, funk and disco records but stood out as a unique and eclectic DJ because he would play records across different genres like Rock, Pop, Salsa, African and Latin. Afrika Bambaataa also established two rap crews: the Jazzy 5 and the Soul Sonic Force. Afrika Bambaataa has crafted the foundation of Hip-Hop by establishing the five elements or five pillars of Hip-Hop : DJing, MCing, b-boying, graffiti and knowledge. Afrika Bambaataa’s impact on Hip-Hop culture has defined the genre as a staple of creativity and expression emerging out of the Bronx.

Often referred to as the Fantastic Freaks or Fantastic Romantic 5. The Fantastic Five consisted of Grand Wizard Theodore (Theodore Livingston), Dot-A-Rock (Darryl Mason), Ruby Dee (Rubin Garcia), Master Rob (Robin Strong) and the Original Kevie Kev (Kevin Strong). Known for their single, "Can I Get A Soul Clap" (1980) The group also appeared in the film Wild Style (1982) and recorded a song in 1994 with the Cold Crush Brothers and Terminator X which appeared on Terminator X's album, Super Bad.