[Jay-Z; DMX; Method Man; Redman]

POSTER FROM THE HIP HOP TOUR BY WHICH ALL OTHER TOURS WOULD SUBSEQUENTLY BE JUDGED

Featuring one of the greatest lineups in Hip Hop history, the 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour traveled to more than forty cities across the United States and grossed a staggering $18 million.

The mega-watt talents of Jay-Z, the late DMX, Method Man, Redman, DJ Clue?, with special guests such as Ja Rule and Memphis Bleek, graced amphitheaters, coliseums, and arenas. Screaming crowds created the benchmark experience by which all other Hip Hop concerts would become judged.

The poster in the current lot advertises the Sunday, April 25th show in Sacramento, California, at the Arco Arena produced by Bill Graham presents (one of the country's oldest and most famous rock concert producers named for late founder Bill Graham) and Bay Area Production. A 2000 documentary titled Backstage, directed by Chris Fiore and produced by Damon Dash, gave viewers an intimate, inside look into the Hard Knock Life Tour and featured a numbered of live performance clips and interviews with the artists.

The two most important and influential printing companies in the poster printing business are Globe Printing, based out of Baltimore, MD, and Colby Printing, based out of Los Angeles, CA. Because of their physical locations, Colby Printing serviced primarily the Western US market, while Globe Printing serviced the Central, Eastern, and Southern US markets. Globe's trademark posters used bright, reflective colors to draw attention to the performers featured on its iconic boxing style, large format posters. Colby used a more standard block letter, large format square design which could easily be read by occupants of passing cars on the freeways and thoroughfares of Los Angeles and other Western localities. Globe Printing and Colby Printing provided a generation of music fans with the advertisements and information about upcoming live-appearances from their favorite performers, and are therefore deeply embedded in the nostalgia of music fans everywhere.

Condition Report:

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