Beginning in the Harlem during the 1920s, rent parties were a social gathering of tenants to raise money to pay their rent. During the 1900s, a large population of over 200,000 African Americans migrated from the South to large cities such as Harlem. Due to high rent cost, many residents lived crowded in tenement and slum housing. With a potluck of food and bootleg liquor, tenants would band together to hire a musician or band to perform. During performances, a hat was passed around to contribut