De-La-Soul, Mikey-D & The L.A. Posse, The Heartbeat Brothers, Marauder and The Fury, at The New Zodiac II, Bronx, NY, May 21, 1988

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.

Many of the original Hip-Hop parties took place at local roller rinks, community centers, parks, and clubs. Roller rinks were an important cultural site for fun in the late 70s and 80s where adults and teens would attend roller discos and Hip-Hop parties.  The space would be used as a place for DJs to spin, rappers to show their talents, and for breakers to showcase their dancing skills on the large skate floor. Community centers were another important space in the early years of Hip-Hop for youth to gather and escape their everyday life. Additionally, community centers and recreation centers were the original spaces where DJ Kool Herc would spin in his early era of DJing. The community centers such as the Bronx River Center and the PAL were usually located in the middle of the projects. But local promoters would give parties and give money back to the center for books and trips for the local kids in the community.

De La Soul is the headline act of this performance at The New Zodiac II. The handbill lists Plug One and Plug Two, aliases for De La Soul members Kelvin “Posdnuos” Mercer and David “Trugoy the Dov” Jolicoeur. They called themselves “plugs” in reference to the plugs attached to their microphones.  Mercer and Jolicoeur, both from Long Island, had been best friends since 1981 and had formed De La Soul with Vincent “Maseo” Mason (Plug Three) in the summer of 1985.   Plug Three had moved from Brooklyn to Long Island at the age of 15.  According to the handbill, they performed “Plug Tunin’,” which was released close to the time of this performance in the spring of 1988.

De La Soul is a Hip-Hop trio from Long Island, New York. Members included, Posdnuos or Pos (Kelvin Mercer, b.1969), Trugoy the Dove (David Jude Jolicoeur, b. 1968) and Maseo (Vincent Lamont Mason Jr., b. 1970) De La Soul is known for their quirky lyricism, diverse sampling, Jazz Rap and psychedelic HipHop sound. Signed to Tommy Boy, their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising is known as "a Hip-Hop masterpiece” and listed in The Source as one of the "100 Best Rap Albums”.

Mikey D & The L.A. Posse was an early 1980s Hip-Hop group. The group’s members included Mikey Dee (Michael Anthony Deering, b. 1967),DJ Johnny Quest, Michael Deering, and Paul McKasty.