Flier for “10 Years of Hip Hop 1973-1983” designed by Van Silk: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A flier for the “10 Years of Hip Hop 1973-1983” designed by Van Silk. The flier is in portrait orientation and printed on white paper with black printed text and graphics. The flier is dominated by a large central graphic of an Oscar award statue with [10 / YEARS] printed horizontal text above. The graphic is surrounded by seven five-pointed stars. Centered text printed at the top of the flier reads [THE Pac·Jam Record Co. / Presents / 1973 10 YEARS OF HIP·HOP to 1983 / Invited to celebrate all those glorious years are: / (Also Surprise ACTS)]. The event title is accented on either side with a five-pointed star above the text [SKATIN] on the left and [DANCIN] on the right.

To the left and right of the trophy graphic are the lists of performing acts. The acts [Fantasy3 / Funky4 / Crashcrew / Islam / Theodore·Freaks / NYC Breakers / Majestic5/ Phase2 / Disco4 / T·Ski Valley / Fearless4 / Coldcrush Bros / Captain Rock / Doug Fresh / Scott·Dynamic3 / Disco Bee] are printed on the left, and [Romantic4 / Jazzy Jay / Bambaatta[sic] / Soulsonic Force / Masterdon / Death Committe[sic] / Jazzy5 / Run DMC / Whiz Kid / Wanda D·Debbie D / Manics / Mr. Magic / J·Bloodrock / Red Alert / Dr. Bob Lee / L·Force Dancers / much more!!] are printed on the right.

Below is the event information printed in text in varying fonts and sizes that read [1st / CITYWIDE ELECTRIC BOOGIE & BREAK DANCE CONTEST / at / ROLLERCITY / formerly Bronx Roller Rink / 515 BRUCKNER BOULEVARD / (Corner 149th Street) / BRONX, NEW YORK / FRIDAY,OCT 7,83]. The event time, [7pm], and admission price, [$6 before / 12], are printed to the left and right of the event information. The directions, printed in small text at the bottom center of the flier, read [DIRECTIONS: / Take No. 6 train to 149 St. Walk over to / Bruckner Blvd. or take Crosstown 30 Bus to / Bruckner Blvd. or No. 3 Bus to 149 St. and / Prospect. Then walk over three blocks.]. Contact information, [info / 292-7288], is printed in the bottom left corner, and [(JUNEBUG) / TO THE MAN WE WILL MISS 83’], is printed in the bottom right corner. There is a large brown stain along the left edge. The back of the flier has no text or inscriptions.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: October 7, 1983
• Designed by: VanSilk, American, born 1958
• Distributed by: Pac-Jam Record Company, American
• Subject of: Fantasy Three, American
• Subject of: Funky 4 + 1, American, 1977 - 1983
• Subject of: Crash Crew, American, founded 1977
• Subject of: Afrika Islam, American, born 1967
• Subject of: Fantastic Five, American, 1979 - 1994
• Subject of: New York City Breakers, American, founded 1982
• Type: fliers (printed matter)
• Medium: ink on paper (fiber product)
• Dimensions: H x W: 7 3/4 × 6 5/8 in. (19.7 × 16.8 cm)
• Place used: Bronx, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Break dancing
• Topic: Design
• Topic: DJs (Musicians)
• Topic: Graphic design
• Topic: Hip-hop (Music)
• Topic: Nightlife
• Topic: Rappers (Musicians)
• Object number: 2020.38.1.9
• 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.