Digging in Graffiti is a new column dedicated to the world of writing, we thought to start from the origins, trying to dig into the past to get to understand the present. It was with extreme pleasure that we were able to interview real New York legends, who made themselves available even knowing that we are a small reality, which makes you realize how real they are and how much they love graffiti culture!

The first writer we bring to you with extreme pleasure is Cose (TDS crew), we had a chat with him to get a sense of what NY was like and what it was like to live in the neighborhood and deal with life in the New York subways.

First, we would like to know about New York, what was it like in those years? and how did you experience it? We felt it over time through art, documentaries, music, films, and photos. NY in those years appeared to be a magic place full of contradictions and complications but at the same time a source of artistic inspiration and contamination from all over the world.

This movement in NYC From Graffiti, Hip Hop, Breakdancing, D-jaying, and so forth began from a form of oppression. Communities in the so-called ghetto’s OF NYC. Weren’t accepted as equals by certain elements in NYC Society. What We created from the oppression was our own art galleries in which was expressing ourselves in N.Y.C. mass transit. Though it was considered vandalism by the powers that be. We were teenagers releasing our energy and emotions on the trains which was viewed by the powers that be as vandalism. etc.

When did you take your first steps in the world of writing? And what got you started?

My beginnings in the world of Writing began in 1979. 43 yrs ago at age 12, a kid from my neighborhood who wrote BEO OTB introduced me to the writing Culture. Immediately I Fell in Love with writing my name.

In the 60s, 70s, and 80s New york saw artists from all over the world, what were their perceptions of graffiti and writers?

I was born in 1966 in NYC. Can’t Speak in the 60’s, 70s, however I do know that during just the 1980’s we were just viewed as vandals as far as i know. Eventually in the mid-1980’s graffiti was finally getting viewed as an art form. In Fact graffiti continues to evolve till this very day.

In those years I guess the competition was a motivating challenge that led more and more to raise the bar. What was the relationship with other writers and crews like? Was there a competition to show one’s style?

It has always been competitive (graffiti) Some crews did not get along with others, however, it was usually always who got more exposure and who had the best style.

If you think of New York graffiti, images of the subway full of tags and graffiti come to mind as first thing. What was it like in those years to go and paint there and how has it evolved over the years?

I remember those images as if it were yesterday. It was a big Shot Of adrenaline. The vast majority of writers are risk takers. It has evolved in the sense that we no longer have to run from the police and can now express our artistic talents in galleries throughout the world. It continues to evolve as I write this statement.

How did society and communities react to graffiti initially? Was government repression a limitation or one more way to raise the level of competition?

As I mentioned before, graffiti was viewed as purely vandalism till the art world took notice of graffiti potential. The government did not matter in our minds. We just went out and went against all odds.

Hip-hop is a culture that has embraced graffiti by making it an important pillar of its imagery, cult films like Wild Style show how hip-hop arts blend seamlessly, I wonder if that is still the case today or if that sense of belonging has faded. I guess there were rivalries between neighborhoods, but there were also parties and jams, where rap, break, and graffiti were mixed. How would you describe that period and how is it now?

All those you have mentioned are all elements of “hip hop” and continue to collaborate till this day. All of the elements of hip hop evolved separately however you can not have one without the other, they are all intertwined.

Do Graffiti today still have the power it once had? By power, I mean a value and a feeling of revising one’s space, of showing who one is through art.

Graffiti is one of the most sought out art forms in the world and continues to break barriers

What have been your biggest inspirations and influences? And after so many years what is it that drives you to make art?

Some of my biggest influences are those that came before me and my contemporaries and paved the way. Graffiti art is a form of therapy in my life. It has helped me to become a more balanced human being.

The last question, did you ever imagine that what was happening in those streets and subways would expand around the world? And that guys across the ocean after forty years are trying to find a connection to the roots of this culture?

I never imagined that 40 plus years later a culture/art that began from oppression would be world wide.