[Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five]; Buddy Esquire; Phase II

Buddy Esquire, was a prolific handbill artist in the South Bronx during the early days of Hip Hop. Over a 5-year period, he designed over 300 flyers, which were given out in the neighborhood to advertise parties. His style, which he referred to as "neo-deco" was very distinctive and instantly recognizable, borrowing heavily from Art Deco movie poster designs. Hip Hop flyers such as these are some of the best primary sources for documenting the nascent Hip Hop movement. Packed with information, they record early fashion, the party scene, and give us the ability to trace the early evolution the careers of numerous artists; because they were only intended for short time use, very few have survived intact. 

PHASE 2 was a Bronx-born artist who first began to use the name Phase 2 in late 1971. He first began using his "softie" bubble letters in late 1972, which became a tremendous influence on later artists. He would later go on to become the art director of the International Get Hip Times, which was the first 'zine about aerosol culture. Phase would participate in a number of Hip Hop shows, for which he would also design the flyers, and would often create large aerosol pieces on stage in front of the live audience.

Hip Hop flyers such as these are some of the best primary sources for documenting the nascent Hip Hop movement. Packed with information, they record early fashion, the party scene, and give us the ability to trace the early evolution the careers of numerous DJs and artists; because they were only intended for short time use, very few have survived intact.