Designed by
Unidentified
Subject of
Busy Bee Starski, American, born 1962
Lovebug Starski, American, 1960 - 2018
Kool DJ AJ, American, died 2015
Grand Wizzard Theodore, American, born 1963
Fantastic Five, American, 1979 - 1994
MC Sha-Rock, American, born 1962
Afrika Bambaataa, American, born 1957
Spoonie Gee, American, born 1963
Grandmaster Flash, American, born 1958
Furious Five, American, 1978 - 1989
DJ Breakout, American
Funky 4 + 1, American, 1977 - 1983
Mercedes Ladies, American
Crash Crew, American, founded 1977
DJ Mean Gene, American
Ecstasy Garage Disco, American
Printed by
Unidentified
Date
October 25, 1980
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 8 3/16 × 6 1/4 in. (20.8 × 15.9 cm)
Description
A flier for “Chief Rocker Busy Bee's Birthday,” at Ecstasy Garage. The flier is in portrait orientation and printed on white paper with black text in varying sizes and fonts, graphics, and a black-and-white photograph. At the top of the flier is the event title [CHIEF [five-pointed star graphic] ROCKER / BUSY BEE’S / BIRTHDAY] with a large five-pointed star graphic next to the word [BIRTHDAY]. Pointing hand graphics bookend the words [CHIEF] and [ROCKER]. A small photograph of Busy Bee in the top left corner depicts the artist from the waist up, standing against a wood paneled wall. He is wearing a black tee-shirt and is holding his proper left hand up, pointing upwards.
Centered below the event title is small text that reads [Featuring] above the two featured acts, [Lovebug / Starski] on the left, [Kool / DJ AJ] on the right, and [PLUS / THEODORE / FANTASIC [graphic of a hand with five splayed fingers] MC’s] centered below. To the right of [THEODORE] is the text [And / of / course / New York’s No. 1 Lady / SHA·ROCK!] above a graphic of two women disco dancing under four lights. Just above the graphic is the text [DISCO] and below is the text [Happy Birthday]. At the center of the flier is a small graphic of a male and female couple dancing together. To the left of the graphic is a list of event invitees: [Invites[sic]: / Bambaataa· / Spoonie Gee / Flash· / Breakout· / Funky 4+1· / Mercedes Ladies]. The bottom third of the flier features the event location, date, time, admission fees, dress code, and deejay names. The text on the left reads [ECSTASY / GARAGE / 172 ST MACOMBS RD / first 15 LADIES / FREE!!! / CRASH CREW DJ’S / DRESS CASUAL / INVITED MCS]. The text on the right reads [SATURDAY / OCT.25 / 9TIL / GUYS 3 / $ / GALS 2 / b/4 / 11pm / WITH HOUSE DJ’s / Mean Gene]. Directions to the venue are printed in small, vertically oriented text near the bottom left corner: [NO. 4 TRAIN TO ONE 70TH STREET / WALK TWO BLOCKS / 1508 Macombs Rd.]. Four graphics of eight notes are scattered throughout the text with two framing the center graphic. The back of the flier is has no text or inscriptions.
Transcription Center Status
Transcription Available
Place used
Bronx, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Advertisements
Type
fliers (printed matter)
Topic
Design
Disco (Music)
DJs (Musicians)
Graphic design
Hip-hop (Music)
Nightlife
Rappers (Musicians)
Urban life
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2020.38.1.22
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5c64f0b55-9605-43e7-ba35-adeea0d19564

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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