"House Party" Reminds Us Why the Turn Up Was Better Before Social Media

Reliving a time when partying was much simpler.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Twenty-five years ago, Kid n' Play were largely known as party rappers. But on this day in 1990, they were catapulted to a new echelon of celebrity thanks to the release of Reginald Hudlin's House Party. Based on a student film Hudlin made while at Harvard University, House Party explored the lengths that the fear of missing out will take kids to, simply because they have to indulge in the moment. That youthful desire to have a good time, consequences be damned, is a sentiment that everyone can connect with. Whether you're 25 now, or were 25 when House Party came out, you identify with that feeling. 

House Party is super-meta in that it's a 102-minute good time that examines the art of the good time. It's revered because it places the microscope on a time when fun was pure. That's not to say there weren't sordid escapades at parties back in 1990, or even that all today's house parties are rife with Molly-fueled chaos, but House Party represents a time when kids had fun without the intention of telling the world about it.

If you search Twitter right now, you can probably find some teens tweeting about the ridiculousness of the party they attended over the weekend. The technology of the 21st century has obviously permitted this, but back in the day, people were more into enjoying the moment rather than sharing it with the world.  

On House Party's 25th anniversary, this is a look back at how the turn up was better, pre-social media. 

Julian Kimble, like many others, was partially raised by House Party. Follow him on Twitter @JRK316.

No Outfit Grids

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You Could Get Your Ass Kicked and Party Without Total Humiliation

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It Was Harder to Snitch on Yourself

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Actual DJs

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The Threat of Becoming a Hashtag Didn't Exist

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No One Clowning You Via Sub Tweet

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Unwanted Guests Couldn't Stalk Your Timeline for Details About the Location

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There Was No Instagram to Upload the Inevitable Rap Battle To

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Zero Time for Selfies When This is the Current Situation

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No Live-Reporting the Arrival of Angry Parents

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People Actually Came to Dance

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….And No One Did It for the Vine

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No #FreeWhoever Posts

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No Drunk Videos of Yourself Worsening Your Hangover

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Because This Is Where It All Started

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