Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Late 1970s
Vociferous Ed Koch elected mayor (1978). Virtually no new corporate development until
the Citicorp Center (1977) adds a new profile to the city's skyline; its popular atrium is ad-
opted by later buildings.
1979
The first hip-hop record,
Rapper's Delight
, released by The Sugarhill Gang (actually from
New Jersey).
1980
John Lennon is murdered outside his apartment on the Upper West Side.
1980s
Corporate wealth returns to Manhattan. The mixed-use Battery Park City opens to wide ac-
claim. Donald Trump emerges as a major real-estate developer.
1984
Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons create Def Jam Records. Beastie Boys become their first
major success.
1987
Black Monday: the stock exchange crashes and the Dow Jones index plunges 508 points in
one day.
1988
The Tompkins Square Park Police Riot, which inspires a scene in the musical
Rent
.
1989
David Dinkins becomes first black mayor of New York City, defeating Ed Koch and
Rudolph Giuliani.
Early 1990s
NYC's budget deficit again reaches record proportions. East Coast hip-hop renaissance led
by Nas, Notorious B.I.G. and later Mos Def and Jay-Z.
1993
Puerto Rican salsa superstar Héctor Lavoe, “El Cantante”, dies in New York.
