Graffiti Rock and the Hip Hop World: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A master, 1 inch videotape (a) of a television dance and music show Graffiti Rock and the Hip Hop World hosted by Michael Holman. There are performances by Run D.M.C. ("Sucker MCs," , Shannon, Kool Moe Dee, Special K, the New York City Breakers, and DJ Jimmie Jazz. The studio set consists of raised platforms around a dance floor, and there are young people dancing throughout the show. Holman interviews some of the studio dancers about music and fashion.

Consists of: Master 1 inch Videotape (a), Original Videotape Reel (b), Original Videotape Box (c)

Master 1 inch Videotape (a): A master 1 inch videotape recording of the television dance and music show Graffiti Rock and the Hip Hop World hosted by Michael Holman.

Original Videotape box (c): A gray plastic box with a blue SONY label. The label has white lettering that reads: [SONY / Video Recording Tape V-16 / HIGH BAND MASTER TAPE]. On the spine of the case there are two stickers. A large red sticker with black print has information about the contents and make of the videotape reel. A small white sticker written in by hand in ink reads: [L-5863].

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1984
• Produced by: Richard Bencivengo
• Directed by: Clark Santee
• Subject of: Michael Holman, American, born 1955
• Subject of: Run-D.M.C., American, 1981 - 2002
• Subject of: Shannon, American, born 1958
• Subject of: Kool Moe Dee, American, born 1962
• Subject of: Special K, American
• Subject of: New York City Breakers, American, founded 1982
• Type: videotapes
• Medium: 1 inch Videotape (a): metal on polyester;
• Medium: Original Videotape Reel (b): plastic;
• Medium: Original Videotape Box (c): plastic
• Dimensions: Duration: 29 Minutes
• Place filmed: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Break dancing
• Topic: Dance
• Topic: Fashion
• Topic: Hip-hop (Music)
• Topic: Variety shows (Television)
• Object number: 2016.31.1.1abc
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.