30 Classic Hip-Hop Party Flyers

Time to get nostalgic.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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In the age of the Internet and smartphones, paper party flyers may seem borderline obsolete. Back in the '70s and '80s, when hip-hop parties were heating up the Bronx and Harlem, creating flyers was for getting the word out about your jam and gaining credibility. To get crowds to head uptown and join in on the vibe, whether at a skating rink or the legendary Ecstasy Garage Disco, hard-copy invitations were the main medium for communicating information and promoting an event. 

Artists like Phase 2 and Buddy Esquire rose to prominence during this time, proving that the graphic elements of graffiti and hip-hop can be reflected in designs themselves. By combining a variety of hand-made techniques, including the use of rub-on letters and cutting and pasting (by hand, not with a click), these bills are ones you'd want to keep and hang on your own walls at home. Check out what the flyer game was like in hip-hop back in the day with these 30 Classic Hip-Hop Party Flyers.

RELATED: Green Label - The 10 Most Classic Hip Hop Albums of All Time

An Anniversary Party for the Cold Crush Brothers, 1981

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Man Dip Lite & Skatin' Palace Presents Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, 1983

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Disco Boogie, Year Unknown

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NYC Showdown M.C. Throwdown, 1982

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The "Heart Beat" Showdown, 1981

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Master Ace & Eddie Ed Dance Contest, Year Unknown

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A Valentine's Day Sureshot, 1981

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Mr. Magic's Xmas Chill, Year Unknown

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Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five Live, 1981

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Big Bad Easter Jam, 1981

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Shorts N Sneaka' Ball, 1982

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Paul Winley Recording Artist Show, 1981

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The Sunken Treasure Presents: The Cold Crush Brothers, 1981

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Perry B. Productions Presents Charlie Chase, Tony Tone, Cold Crush 4 MCs, 1981

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Gong Show Thursdays, 1981

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The Return of Those Everlovin' Jazzy 5 Gentlemen, 1983

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The 1981 Battle of the High Schools, 1981

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The TV Party, 1983

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A Birthday Tribute to Melle Mel, 1981

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A Midtown Superduper Baad Talent Show & Disco, 1981

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Super Disco Part 1, 1979

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The Showcase Studio, Year Unknown

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Double Day Super Explosions, 1981

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The Treacherous Three Second Anniversary, 1982

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Showdown, 1986

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Last Day of School Celebration, 1979

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Uptown vs Downtown Pt. 1, 1981

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The International Pro/Am Rapper Breakers Academy Awards, Year Unknown

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A DJ Kool Herc Party, 1973

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The DefJam Series, 1986

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