THE PARTY FLYER The hip hop party flyer was the first form of street marketing. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, long before rap radio or records existed, handbills were stapled to utility poles or passed out on street corners and clubs to alert fans of upcoming parties, MC battles and other live performances. These flyers were from age before computers, at a time when stencils, pencils and press type were the only graphic tools available. They are the 'mother lode' of data from hip hop's formative years, and if they are not preserved a critical part of popular culture of the late 20th century, early 21st century will be lost forever. These handbills are a part of collection on permanent exhibit at the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. The collector and hip hop historian, a Bronx-born native appears on many of these flyers as a part of the group "Touch of Class" and "The Nice and Nasty MCs". --Mexi-Ray, former MC, Flyer Collector and Hip Hop Historian