On this date in 1983, graffiti artist Michael Stewart received recognition after his death in the hands of the New York City Transit Police following an arrest for using a marker and/or spray paint can on a First Avenue Station subway wall. Stewart’s treatment while in police custody and the trials of all of the […]
It was on this day 47 years ago (August 11, 1973) that Kool Herc threw his legendary back-to-school basement party, which would go on to create the foundation for Hip Hop music through the “breakbeat” DJ technique he used to keep the party rocking. Many aspiring emcees at the time paired ‘the break’ with the […]
On this day in Hip-Hop history, one of the most important films for Hip Hop culture was released in theaters around the globe. The Stan Lathan-directed Beat Street was a film that was able to help Hip Hop culture as a whole breakthrough into the mainstream market and showed a side of the scene that those […]
The entire graffiti world is mourning the loss of one of its great pioneers who lost his life this morning to complications from the novel coronavirus. NIC 707 OTB, one of the original writers to bomb the NYC subways in the early 70s, passed away today(April 13) after contracting the COVID-19 virus. Born Fernando Pabllo […]
On this date a half-century ago, Bronx graff legend CES was born. Born Robert Michael Provenzano in 1970 in NYC, CES(FC, FX, FBA) is a pioneering artist of the “Wild Style” formation of letters seen in graffiti art around the world. CES began his career on the subway cars and streets of NYC, innovating new […]
During the time when Hip-Hop was being passed off as a fad that wouldn’t last beyond “Rapper’s Delight”, a vivid reenactment of the introduction of this artistic culture to the world was made. Wild Style is arguably the very first movie and definitely one of the very few that shows the true essence of what […]
The New York City graff community and beyond is mourning the loss of Matthew “ZEXOR” Rodriguez, who passed away Thursday (Dec. 12) in New York. He was 29 years old. As the son of Brooklyn graffiti legend ASP WTO, Rodriguez was a second generation writer who continued in his father’s footsteps after his murder in […]
After years of trying to fit in the bourgeois art galleries around the world, graffiti finally has a place of its own to call home. Since the advent of “wall writing” in the late 60s and early 70s, graff has always been recognized as an illegal art form, chalked up to nothing more than vandalism […]
Something so amazing that it gave Kanye West a Top 10 Rap hit just by penning some bars about it is now inspiring Nike’s upcoming Chicago-themed Air Force 1 and Air Max 97 colorways. Advertisement The eye-grabbing “Wind City” skyline of Chicago takes full cred for the inspiration behind this colorful set. The AF1 stands […]
Graffiti is one of those art forms that wins by breaking all the rules — there is no one style, no single medium and certainly not one sole artist that embodies the entire genre completely. Now, in a combined effort by adidas Originals and traveling art exhibition Beyond The Streets, a new art experience is […]
n the world of Hip Hop, visual art, which is primarily rooted in the dynamic scene of graffiti, has taken a backseat to the music, according to graff king turned graphic arts pioneer Cey Adams. Aside from his artistic touch he has placed on some of the most notable Fortune 500 brands, CEY’s work is […]
During the time when Hip Hop was being passed off as a fad that wouldn’t last beyond “Rapper’s Delight”, a vivid reenactment of the introduction of this artistic culture to the world was made. Wild Style is arguably the very first movie and definitely one of the very few that shows the true essence of […]
One of the most infamous graffiti artists of the 20th century is celebrating his 50th born day today and he goes by the name of COPE2, founder of the world famous KINGS DESTROY crew. Born Fernando Carlo on this date in 1968 in the Bronx, New York, COPE2 began his illustrious graff career in 1985, […]
Chi-Town slang spitter Vic Mensa has managed to put himself in a no-lose situation, being under the wing of Roc Nation head honcho Jay-Z, but Mensa says that his conversations with his boss are now becoming cross-cultural. During an interview with Ebro Darden for Apple Music’s Beats 1 Radio show, Mensa had a chance to […]
The oldest pillar in Hip Hop culture made a guest appearance at this year’s SOURCE360 Block Party as graffiti artists NEKU Secta7 and MOE ZV put on a live art exhibition on Rockwell Place across from the BRIC Arts/Media Center in downtown Brooklyn. Both Queens-born and raised, NEKU and MOE are seasoned “writers” who have […]
People worldwide are reacting to the sudden loss of Aretha Franklin. Many fans and musicians shared their heartfelt messages on social media. Other fans paid tribute by temporarily renaming the Franklin Street subway in honor of the Queen of Soul. “ARETHA” was scrawled in white marker above “Franklin Street” signs on the 1 train platform […]
The reclusive British graffiti artist BANKSY has said in social media post he was not involved in a major exhibition of his works currently on display in Moscow. The artist wrote it on Wednesday in his Instagram account, uploading a screenshot in which he corresponds with a fan, who tells him about the exhibition. A […]
Australia as a country is isolated from the rest of the world. Because of this, the “Land Down Under” has always taken a little longer to catch on to whatever is the wave in pop culture. This is especially true before household Internet was a thing and pre-smartphone. It was also a place where anything […]
On this day in Hip Hop history, one of the most important films for Hip Hop culture was released in theaters around the globe. The Stan Lathan-directed Beat Street was a film that was able to help Hip Hop culture as a whole breakthrough into the mainstream market and showed a side of the scene at […]
Officials at a San Diego-area charter school have ordered an artist to make changes to a mural painted during a fundraiser, after receiving complaints about an image in the painting — President Trump’s head on a spear. MAAC Community Charter School Director Tommy Ramirez said in a statement that the artwork “does not align with […]
