Cold Crush Brothers, Cold Crush Four MC's, at T Connection, New York, NY, November 30, 1979

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 T-Connection was a popular uptown Bronx venue during the early era of hip-hop. Owned Ritchie Tee, the T- Connection was located on Gun Hill Road where numerous contests were to determine the top DJs and MCs. The T-Connection was more known as a location for B-Boy parties with the best local breaks, and also well know where the Funky Four often performed.

Cold Crush Brother’s original lineup consisted of DJ Tony Tone (Angelo King, b. unknown), Easy AD (Adrian Harris, b. unknown), DJ Charlie Chase (Carlos Mandes, b. 1959), Grandmaster Caz (Curtis Brown, b. 1960), Almighty KG (Kenneth Pounder, b. unknown), JDL (Jerry Dee Lewis, b. unknown) and Money Ray (Eric Hoskins, b. unknown). Whipper Whip (James Whipper, b. unknown) and Dot-A-Rock (Darryl Mason, b. unknown) were original members. Eventually, Whipper Whip and Dot-A-Rock left and joined the Fantastic Five, which they considered to be a more established group at the time. Cold Crush Brother member, DJ Tony Tone came up with the group’s name, saying that “Cold Crush” meant anybody could get crushed, cold crushed, with no remorse. The Cold Crush Brothers were known for their remarkable routines which included harmonies, melodies, and stage-stomping performances. The Cold Crush Brothers set the standard for emceeing. They built a reputation as the Rolling Stones of HipHop. Because of the attention they began to attract, many groups would try to battle them to gain Rap credibility and Hip-Hop superiority.