Porsch'e & Uptown Prod. Presents Rapper's Spectacular with HeartBeat Bro's, Super Nature, MC Superior Zam, MC Lady Run, and DJ Cut Master Joey-D, New Haven, CT, March 14, 1980

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.

Super Nature was the original name of rap trio Salt-N-Pepa. The trio included Salt (Cheryl James, b. 1966), Pepa (Sandra Denton, b. 1969), and DJ Spinderella (Deidra Roper, b. 1970). While studying nursing at Queensborough Community College. Salt and Pepa became close friends and co–workers at Sears. Their co-worker Hurby "Luv Bug" Azor was studying record production at the Center of Media Arts and the two to record for him as a class project. This resulted in the single "The Show Stoppa", a response record to Doug E. Fresh's hit single "The Show". After the success of "The Show Stoppa," the group's name was changed to Salt-N-Pepa because called themselves the “Salt and Pepa MCs”.  After numerous success, the trio won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their song "None of Your Business", making them one of the first female rap acts to win a Grammy Award. Salt-N-Pepa have sold over 15 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling rap acts of all time. Known as the First Ladies of Hip Hop, Salt-N-Pepa have pushed the boundaries over the years by being fashion icons, taking on feminist themes in their songs and personas to help to define and refine how women should be treated and respected. 

Heartbeat Brothers is a Hip-Hop group from New York signed to Elite Records. Members included Lord Kool-Gee and Greg-G. The group released singles such as “Growing Up” in 1985 and “Can We Do This” and “Bring In The Bassline” in 1989. produced by Lord Kool-Gee and Paul C.