Signed “Self Destruction”/Stop the Violence poster, [1989]

"THE SELF DESTRUCTION / STOP THE VIOLENCE" POSTER BY SIGNED BY KRS-ONE, KOOL MOE DEE, AND DJ RED ALERT

"Self Destruction" is the only single by rapper KRS-One's Stop the Violence Movement. Formed in 1988 in response to violence in the Hip Hop and Black American communities, the single featured Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One, D-Nice & Ms. Melodie), Public Enemy (Chuck D & Flavor Flav), MC Lyte, Just-Ice, Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Stetsasonic (Daddy-O, MC Delite, Wise, and Frukwan), and Heavy D.

After a young fan was killed at a 1988 Boogie Down Productions and Public Enemy show, KRS-One formed the Stop the Violence Movement in hopes of encouraging the hip hop community to end violence being committed among themselves. Further inspired by the recent murder of fellow BDP founding member Scott La Rock, he assembled many contemporary East Coast Hip Hop rap stars of the time to record a song about anti-violence. With production assistance by bandmate D-Nice and Hank Shocklee of the Bomb Squad, the product of the session was the chart-topping song "Self Destruction". The song debuted at No. 1 on the first week of Billboard's Hot Rap Songs existence and held the spot for ten consecutive weeks, raising over 100,000 for the National Urban League.

The poster offered here was a gift to Kate Ferguson, Editor-in-Chief of Word Up! and Rap Masters magazines, both entertainment publications geared towards Black American teenagers.

Provenance:

From the personal collection of Kate Ferguson

Condition Report:

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