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A Warren T. Production Presents "The Mixologist Kid", The Dynamic Duo MC's", The Shining Stars, RC LA Rock, Shevy Shev, Rob Gee, Echo Master Adam Ant, Enforcer Curtis Lee, at 3333 Broadway, New York, NY, February 1, 1980
A Warren T. Production Presents "The Mixologist Kid", The Dynamic Duo MC's", The Shining Stars, RC LA Rock, Shevy Shev, Rob Gee, Echo Master Adam Ant, Enforcer Curtis Lee, at 3333 Broadway, New York, NY, February 1, 1980

A Warren T. Production Presents "The Mixologist Kid", The Dynamic Duo MC's", The Shining Stars, RC LA Rock, Shevy Shev, Rob Gee, Echo Master Adam Ant, Enforcer Curtis Lee, at 3333 Broadway, New York, NY, February 1, 1980

Performing artist Curtis Lee
Performing artist Warren T.
Performing artist Mixologist Kid
Performing artist Dymanic Duo MCs
Performing artist Shining Stars
DJ Echo Master Adam Ant
Date1980
Mediumink; paper (fiber product)
DimensionsOverall (includes tape that extends beyond the edge of the paper): 22.1 x 28.4 cm (8 11/16 x 11 3/16 in.)
Credit LineMoPOP permanent collection
Object number2000.665.10
Text Entries

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.

Party flyer listing performers, location and details of event. Black on burnt orange paper. Single sided. Illustration of three men riding in a Mercedes-Benz with the doors open. The center man is gripping the top of the windshield. The men flanking him are wearing sunglasses and holding microphones.
CopyrightThis work is issued under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License. For more information, go to https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
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The Shining Stars, Master Don, B. Fats, Gangster Crew, Echo Master Atom Ant, at Studio 125, New York, NY, March 28, 1980
Master Don
Date: 1980
Medium: ink; paper (fiber product)
Object number: 2000.665.12
Multivox MX-312 Multi Echo Effects Unit
Date: c. 1975
Medium: plastic
Object number: 1999.229.52
Audubons Throwdone of the Rapping Stars Part 1:  Flash vs. Crash, at The Audubon Ballroom, New York, NY, March 6, 1984
Busy Bee
Date: 1981
Medium: ink; paper (fiber product)
Object number: 1998.802.11
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