Country of origin USA Running time 23 minutes Initial release 19 June 1984 Final episode date 19 June 1984 Number of episodes 1 | No. of episodes 1 Original network WPIX-TV First episode date 19 June 1984 Presented by Michael Holman | |
 | ||
Starring Michael Holman
Run-DMC
Shannon
New York City Breakers
Kool Moe Dee
Special K Production company(s) SkyWise Productions
CB Communication, Inc.
Orbis Communications Cast Kool Moe Dee, Darryl McDaniels, Jam Master Jay, Joseph Simmons Similar Beat Street, The Freshest Kids: A Hi, Style Wars, Inside Monkey Zetterland, Wild Style | ||
Graffiti rock opening credits
Graffiti Rock was a hip-hop based television program, originally screened June 29, 1984. Intended as an ongoing series, the show only received one pilot episode and aired on WPIX channel 11 in New York City and 88 markets around the country, to good Nielsen ratings.
Contents
Graffiti Rock resembled a hip hop version of the popular television dance shows at the time such as Soul Train and American Bandstand. The show was created and hosted by Michael Holman, who was the manager of the popular break-dancing crew, the New York City Breakers.
The episode features Run-D.M.C., Shannon, The New York City Breakers DJ Jimmie Jazz, Kool Moe Dee and Special K of the Treacherous Three. The New York City Breakers, who were fresh off of their success from the movie Beat Street, made a showcase appearance. The episode also features television and film actress, Debi Mazar and actor/director Vincent Gallo as dancers on the show.
A segment of the show was sampled on The Beastie Boys' LP Ill Communication. "[...] alright, you're scratchin it right now, cut the record back and forth against the needle, back and forth, back and forth, make it scratch, but let me tell you something don't try this at home on your dad's stereo only under hip-hop supervision, alright?" The show has since become an important 'must-see' for hip-hop enthusiasts, alongside such titles as Wild Style and Beat Street.
In the video for the Non Phixion and Arsonists song "14 Years Of Rap", a set very similar to the one on Graffiti Rock was used. In the beginning of the video the words "Graffiti Rock" can be seen and also heard in the sample.
Graffiti Rock was recently parodied by Gnarls Barkley in the music video for their 2008 music video single "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)" from the album The Odd Couple, featuring Justin Timberlake.
Holman was inspired to use the title Graffiti Rock, by a live, hip hop event in the Lower East Side of New York City, created by Henry Chalfant years earlier, also called Graffiti Rock.