1970s SPECIAL REPORT: "NYC GRAFFITI"

Around 1970-71 the center of graffiti culture shifted from Philadelphia to New York City, especially around Washington Heights, where suspects such as TAKI 183 and Tracy 168started to gain notoriety for their frequent vandalism. Using a naming convention in which they would add their street number to their nickname, they "bombed" a train with their work, letting the subway take it throughout the city. Bubble lettering was popular among perpetrators from the Bronx, but was replaced with a new "wildstyle", a term coined by Tracy 168 and a legendary original Graffiti crew with over 500 members including Blade, Cope 2, T Kid 170, Cap, Juice 177, and Dan Plasma. Graffiti tags started to grow in style and size. Notable names from that time include DONDI, Lady Pink, Zephyr, Julio 204, STAY HIGH 149, PHASE 2.
Graffiti was growing competitive and artists desired to see their names across the city. Around 1974 suspects like Tracy 168, CLIFF 159 and BLADE ONE started to create works with more than just their names: they added illustrations, full of scenery and cartooncharacters, to their tags, laying the groundwork for the mural-car. The standards from the early 70s continue to evolve, and the late 1970s and early 1980s saw new styles and ideas. As graffiti spread beyond Washington Heights and the Bronx, a graffiti crime wave was born. Fab 5 Freddy(Friendly Freddie, Fred Brathwaite) was one of the most notorious graffiti figures of that era. He notes how differences in spray technique and letters between Upper Manhattan and Brooklyn began to merge in the late 70s: "out of that came 'Wild Style'."Fab 5 Freddy is often credited with helping to spread the influence of graffiti and rap music beyond its early foundations in the Bronx, and making links in the mostly white downtown art and music scenes. It was around this time that the established art world started becoming receptive to the graffiti culture for the first time since Hugo Martinez's Razor Gallery in the early 1970s.

[@HezakyaNewz]

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[@upnhere8513]

Not until you change the title. This video was aired in '81. THIS IS NOT 1970s.

[@Samana444]

RIP DONDI. As a washed up NY writer i have seen almost every video on NYC graffiti but never have seen this. Hezakya keep it up bro you have an amazing channel.

[@MemoGrafix]

This was the first one I seen at age 10.

[@agniforma2340]

What did you write?

[@gatormcklusky6274]

"Art is anything that you can get away with" -Andy Warhol

[@mariekatherine5238]

NYC graffiti has a unique, readily identifiable style. Anyone remember seeing the tag SANE everywhere?

[@MemoGrafix]

NYC Graffiti is STILL BETTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE. I've been to & lived in other places the graffiti is WACK.

[@miguelangelnarvaez161]

I love the griminess of the 1970’-1990’s. The aesthetic will never die

[@bigsnugga]

society wise speaking it was our peak

[@BaronEvola123]

I know. Real people. Had no money, but we figured it out. All went away in the 90's. By 2k, the place was a corporate, sanitized, uptight place. A war on fun. No creativity anymore. Just pod people...

[@pheddupp]

@@BaronEvola123 NYC was a crime ridden dump, wtf are you smoking? Criminal activity much? I'll just bet. Stay in your hole, vermin.

[@kalonjirivers8902]

Which type of subway graffiti do you like better-whole cars, or visible car numbers? Me, myself, I prefer seeing visible car numbers on the plates of the trains when they're laced with graffiti rather than the whole car style itself, because right now, I like to write lists of the numbers of the subway cars that have all the art of it-no matter who the artist is. I was born in 1979, and even though I was too young to understand it all back then, I appreciated the dopeness of its crazy, creative art style as a child. Even today at age 43, I appreciate it more, and I have to say, some of that graffiti on the trains made a whole lot of sense as it gave truthful messages to all who witnessed as riders.😁

[@kalonjirivers8902]

@@BaronEvola123 Ain't that the honest truth?😁

[@brett6247]

I grew up with graffiti on the subway cars & I love it. I never did it. I don’t have artistic ability. I absolutely love seeing the graffiti & im glad to see it make a comeback.

[@theeaskey]

Your lacking a lot more that artistic ability if u think this shit is cool,

[@karenallen938]

I absolutely love these videos! I was a youngster when this was recorded. It takes me back to a simpler time. I have no idea where you find this content, but I am thankful for your efforts. Be blessed, Hezakya, today and always! =)

[@superjam1446]

Risking it all for a tag on a train. What an amazing experience it must have been. God bless all of the lost souls who tagged NYC during the 1970s. My favorite artist was CLIFF! I was able to track down some artists still alive today and asked them what happened to him. Only one replied. He died of AIDs during the 1980s epidemic. RIP Cliff.

[@mariekatherine5238]

At the time I hated it. It made the subway seem even more dangerous than it was. Now, I almost miss it. New York had that edgy feel that’s entirely gone. Since Covid, the violence is coming back, but thus far, the creativity has not.

[@Laidengizer011]

Worst of Both Worlds. I've had the same thought.

[@sn1000k]

I've heard it's super bombed aside from the trains. Perhaps you meant more broadly creative. NYC must have been amazing back in the day

[@Laidengizer011]

@@sn1000k Super bombed?

[@damnthatscrazy25]

@@Laidengizer011 bombed meaning when its completely tagged and painted, just a way to say very cluttered with tags

[@MemoGrafix]

I remember this episode I was 10 years young. Those old people including My Parents/GrandParents/Elders who complained about the *Artwork* of the Subways & Trains should have been grateful to it. It took Your mind off the garbage that was blowing & flowing all over the city. Much like a Rose growing in a crack in a NYC concrete sidewalk. I remember that *_"Art Terrorism"_* was much of the BEST Art I grew up with. Those *Graffiti Picasso's* on those *tunnel ships* was beautiful in those days, now the ships are BORING looking. The garbage still is in the subways & trains no ART to escape into as trains pass by. Just PrisonCellPhones. I miss the Grimey NYC of 1960s-1990s when You could get away with so much shit at ANY age. Most kids grew up hard & fast in NYC back then, that made Us STRONG and ever STRONGER ADULTS. Play Hookey from school, no one said nothing, other than Your parents & other people of authority. We never paid to ride the trains then, riding them Joints from Harlem to The BX/Queens/BK. when We was supposed to be in school. You could Hustle _Clean & Dirty._ *$ell $tuff* _- Clothes, Food, Starvin' Artists, Adult Party Pax, Booty, Brooklyn Bridge, hot & cold goods-n-services, BuIIsh!t stories of Your 8 kids to feed and many people will give their spare $$$._ Back then it wasn't much gunsmoke until the KRAKKsmoke in the 1980s that killed off alot of other street hustles people did. My Parents moved Us to Buffalo, NY in Summer of 1977. At first I thought We died and went to heaven. That Honeymoon quickly faded for Me after a year when My Mother chose a racist & boring area to buy a house in. All I knew, I had to go back to NYC, every year I did until I was 18/19 moving there mostly permanently coming to Buffalo a couple years here & there to cool off. I could go on & on about NYGRIME. I land My Plane.

[@amakuaole]

I didn't know they had that style of writing inside the subway trains during the '70s. You can see it in the 1979 movie, The Warriors.

[@kagyu1]

My friends were bombing the insides in 1976-77 , 5th 6 th grade , hitting the 4 yard. At that time you could just walk in.

[@justinhearst]

Man Hezakya, did I miss you!. Please upload more often if you can. Thanks

[@HezakyaNewz]

I miss y'all too...I can't upload often until I get another laptop...thanks for supporting

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

God this video quality if BEYOND AMAZING!!

[@tyrondavis6727]

I was born in Brooklyn NY USA 1977.... After I was born..... The New York City Subway.. Graffiti Cars are already everywhere ..it was well into the 1980s.... before my family moved to Chicago in February '89....Ten years later in 1999 we moved back to New York City.... And there's no graffiti...red bird IRT Subway Cars.... and metro cards...... Besides from my memories of the subway cars (while on the subject), It tells the story of Subway Police and the Graffiti Artist...... unfortunately..... RIP DONDI and Cliff........ one day, when I die, i will personally meet them in heaven........ but thanks for the video of a documentary story......... The Legendary of Graffiti Artist Kings lives on 🔥🌈🤎🤍🧡🇺🇸🍕🍟🍹💖😉

[@reillycraig7313]

Is any of this edited? The SEEN piece painted at 3:25 is from 1980 which leads me to believe this would have been aired in 1980 at the earliest. Thanks for uploading this gem.

[@MemoGrafix]

1978 only 10/11 years young. I remember seeing this on CBS after Saturday Morning Cartoons.

[@JRnyc]

Shout out to Taki 183. Legend.

[@BaronEvola123]

Futura2k was Zephyr as well. I thought they were kings in RTW when I was like 10 y.o. The Campbell's Soup Cans was a HUGE statement. That stayed for a while. Who remembers "PRAY" on every telephone booth? What about Taki 183?

[@kagyu1]

Futura and Zephyr are two completely different people. Andy (Zephyr) is a white dude and Lenny( Futura) is a mixed dude with a really skinny neck. Danny Revolt is the funny one . Pray/ Worship God was an old lady who hit the phones.

[@HvH420]

Those guys who are trying to go legit got some crazy glasses haha.

[@justmek1923]

Damn the news was better than the shows on TV now back in the day

[@jayare6592]

I hope y'all know that thumbnail is "BUS" by the legendary DONDI 🔥

[@ThinkerHaistTV]

People walk past this stuff all day everyday and never even consider what the people look like who do it. The amount of skill it takes to control letters and manipulate them to have different characteristics than anything seen before... It’s a tough sport. A sport many will never understand or appreciate. Salute to all my writers out there. Natural Born Rebel SHR3D.

[@w3td0g71]

We live and die by it. I have dreams that scare me. I'll walk out on that ledge fuck life

[@justmek1923]

@@w3td0g71 Wtf are you smoking man?

[@CRAIG5835]

Goo to see youre back mate, its a long wait here DownUnder in New Zealand, so we are W A Y DOWNUNDER, you now are aware that you have a truly Global Audience. I love your olde New York stuff, and if you have some more of Al Sharpton, PLEASE post them, even if he at the store, hes such a shit stirrer from what i can see, HOW didi he get into office is what i wanna know, obv some sort of "Rort" we call it, all the rackets are Rorts, just local talk. Lookin forward to more your stuff brother. BTW follow the New Zealand Rugby team at this years World Cup in Japan, i dunno if you know Rugby, all you gotta know is you cant throw the ball forward, gotta be behind you, and no tackling a dude who aint got the ball,.oh yeah, no helmets or shoulder pads, we played V Australia on Saturday, heres a quick look at the game, and for any folks unaware of us our team is called The All Blacks, Google them, i think they might be The most successful Team in the history of Teams, of ANY sport. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqu2Xpiue894oqc

[@HezakyaNewz]

As soon as I get my Laptop back...donate if you can....thanks for supporting.

[@turbosammy6085]

WELCOME BACK HEZAKYA!!!!😎👍

[@Curtoonstv]

I just learned why graffiti art broke out. Thanks Hezakya!

[@boomboxbreezy]

10:31 how did my man float down those steps like that? 😂. Much love for this upload brother 🫡.

[@markmnorcal]

I'm tryin' not to lose my head.

[@riccacorte]

Its like a jungle sometimes

[@ashonlewis9353]

Welcome back brother love your content don't let KZbin silence you.

[@Pablo123456x]

KZbin is giving him a platform for him to upload and you to watch

[@learnguitarfool9443]

Great vid but I think “rapture” by blondie is like 81.......

[@deziograff]

Great premonition on futura at the end. He is one of the few whose gain massive international success. I’d disagree on the “one of the few with talent” though but that’s on the journalist. Should’ve said : “one among many with talent”

[@robertyoung7823]

It was called bombing the trains. Any graffiti artis that grew up in the Bronx during the 70s now's that term bombing. Them day's are gone forever proud to have lived those times

[@blaine4478]

bombing the trains, god that sounds wrong LOL

[@christhelostsoul9927]

they're not gone, some graff writers did a bunch of sick pieces on some subway carts and graffiti is back full force in new york in 2021

[@eddiesoto2677]

@@blaine4478 Bombing yeah man

[@ThinkerHaistTV]

You lit for this one bro...

[@mubarak3457]

Born in 69 remember the 70’s best time ever

[@sn1000k]

Its kind of amazing this ever happened at all let alone continues to happen

[@stevensmith1057]

It’s called real estate.

[@trisbreezydc2]

Wow futura 2000 came a long way!!

[@patswayze7359]

An episode about toys.hahaha..people need to watch this nowadays

[@IPULCOLUMBIA]

RIP BOMBERS!!! The Fordham Baldies/The Wanders and The Warriors forever!

[@BRONXGRAFFITINAKNAC]

at 1:13 The DAC135 & NAC143.my part of train is cut off.Searching the net for this pic??

[@kimjong-un9407]

Intro is like a ufo landing

[@purp_junior8509]

It’s not damage it’s power

[@Kiro6666]

The Moments of our Lives start’s back in the 1980’s i the 1970’s I was too young to go out to clubs and party the tunnel and uncle Charles and Track’s and many other famous clubs we attended I’ll never forget it I didn’t know about this underground club’s and house Music was everything too me then I Attended the paradise Garage on king’s st. The sound system was the Bomb I had to put cotton balls into my ears During the time in the Club incurable Disease that has no cured

[@user-hf1fg1pe5o]

I enjoyed video

[@davidnorton2473]

This isn't the seventies it's the early eighties.

[@cool_cat007smoove3]

Back then it was out of control, I thought it was horrible. When it matured as art then had a different outlook on it.

[@landocalrisian2014]

It was VERY much out of control. I believe graffiti is art but it was completely defacing the trains because it was SO much. In a way the artists were very selfish. They did anything to get there work out and be respected even if it meant completely defacing. But youth, so there it is lol.

[@Laidengizer011]

@@landocalrisian2014 Is there a certain amount of graffiti that should be on the outside of a train??

[@DR-xt9ux]

5:38 yo Chico is Connie inside the store

[@kollusion1]

Maan... I'd paint 3 morals for a piece of that arse!

[@Shadowbannddiscourse]

Looks more 1980s music and all

[@idieilik1069]

Been there done that!! Graffiti shel never die”

[@brianglade848]

Ramo!

[@auracle9231]

Beatstreet

[@michaelbreen3729]

Tracy168, wild,style, woo,woo.

[@jackjohnson7396]

Excellent, was living there at that time. I was young, but didn't like the painter punks. Long time ago!

[@eddiesoto2677]

dude's have the tron glasses wowww Hip Hop

[@eddiesoto2677]

anybody remember the kid JIffy Stan 2 the kid shaze all 3 had very different styles of tagging an were all over . peace to them old writers.

[@stevenswancoat1150]

nothing is as good art as your "water mark"

[@trainburners251]

Fresh!

[@MThyne-oz2zu]

Style Wars

[@MB-wx2jp]

Wonder were these guys are today...

[@cue138]

Some of the pioneers of Graff are still around and doing their thing...Google them!!

[@grimvallius8679]

There succesfull and writing in galleries

[@DR-xt9ux]

POGO one ..1975 NYC

[@randomthoth803]

Glad to see this reporter knows more about graff than the toys who write now like a lot of fakes who encourage legal trash by a bunch of wanna bees

[@stephanodixon619]

RIP Dondi White CIA

[@corvettefever360]

City Inside Artists; In God we trust, In Trains we Bomb! C.I.A.- 718

[@serg5456]

Aero Fya krew

[@MichaelHernandez-do1ie]

Futura 2000

[@Mr.FranciscoJesusAldana]

6:08

[@denyce2288]

Im done...he said “art terrorism” 🤦🏿

[@user-ph5bw2xm1y]

GRAFFITI AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE...NOW ITS A STREET FART THING...CARE DWD NETHERLANDS

[@weekendhacker]

Future 2000 is rather articulate.

[@sanpedroez3367]

I think this is like 1980

[@jihefrobert8759]

And you are right. The graffiti writers group show at Fashion Moda opened in October of 1980.

[@viralbuthow000]

Shifted from Phillie? I thought it started in NYC.

[@geoffedwards-tb4kp]

There was a big graffiti scene in Philly during 70s. I discovered this through an old documentary but can't for the life of me remember the title. It may have even gone back to the 60s if I'm correct.

[@Izakokomarixyz]

The very first writer was cornbread from Philly. The graff culture really took off in NYC though, where simple tags evolved to throw ups, to the more elaborate pieces.

[@pvj2234]

Kilroy

[@billjordan3952]

🤘😎🤘🤘🎯

[@kirkmcgraw735]

WET !!! 2019!

[@estebansteverincon7117]

The audio has no treble, whatsoever. lol

[@Brujitaa_Jessie]

Graffiti apademic + pandemic 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Mexgf718]

ACC POo

[@aaronskylark8818]

And b legit wyt law ov art on tele tv or on Kanye’s materol

[@aaronskylark8818]

And tv on syds ov karz telee and between Raul way Tran karegs

[@aaronskylark8818]

Tooch skreen tv arts ryta