Sly Artistic City - Philly graffiti history

2010 documentary on the history of graffiti in Philadelphia, featuring interviews with Cool Earl, Kool Klepto Kidd, Johnski, Notorious BIK, MB, Kair, former mayor Wilson Goode, Jane Golden, and many more.

[@malt7998]

huge respect to the originals and pioneers of graffiti ! mad props from melbourne

[@justinb954]

Huge Respect!! Philly did it first!!

[@Honey-uv9tu]

Yeah man fr

[@ceeejay9112]

From melbourne here too

[@alicedee5540]

Man did this bring back memories. I lived in Philly during the 60's and 70's and remember seeing Cornbred, Cool Earl, Smokey, etc EVERYWHERE in the city.....from the EL stop walls and cars, billboards, phone booths, like EVERYWHERE. It's a trip to see these cats speak about their tagging all these years later. They sure had style. Philly is the birthplace of Row homes, Philly cream cheese, cheesesteaks, tasty cakes, and graffiti.....EXCELLENT documentary!

[@fionahorseapples9077]

Cream cheese not from Philadelphia,think of cream cheese like curve,not from here,but good enough to earn respect

[@deanheiserUWSNYC]

@@fionahorseapples9077 I was thinking of the BRAND Philadelphia Cream Cheese, not cream cheese in particular.

[@erichanhauser3190]

Graffiti is punk rock art. KAD pretty much tought me how to really write. All the styles. I gave him a spiral copybook in highschool & told him to just destroy it. He could write everything. From CornBread, JS & cool Earl to the present. He had mastered every style of Philly graffiti. Truly blew my mind. Front to back that book was filled with the history of Philly graffiti. He is a true historian. He was the king back then. Thanks Rob. I still write every day, just not on walls. Everybody loves the way I write. At work, at home, on letters, cards, everything.

[@theodorepullins3124]

Eric Hanhauser KAD WAS THAT DUDE! “KADISM”

[@billysaz1]

I went writin w/ "duck" in the late 80's. He was my old head

[@erichanhauser3190]

These guy are LEGENDS. Know the history. This documentary is extremely important. Most importantly, dont go over their tags!

[@tkso.philly3879]

I remember seeing CornBread EVERYWHERE in Philly.

[@victormcvic3579]

Graffiti differs so much from city to city crowd wise, but one thing that's true for every city is all the all city writers that everyone knows are 99% lunatics.

[@DimiGem]

MF DOOM

[@shlimmshbig7201]

True. In europe they also engage in fun activities like trainsurfing, which is basically suicidal

[@GetOffUrPhone]

And most of the time there's always at least one dude who just draws faces, especially one liner faces.

[@thachubbmonster9013]

RIP MF DOOM

[@calebsuterone.teotheevilon2092]

Style wise what's poppin and who's on the leader boards far as your city go's is the only thing that differs from city to city.....

[@guadalupeventura3068]

man that sound the can makes when you shaking it I love it lol...

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

Like heaven in a can

[@ewilliams19]

Watching in 2020 born in West Philly 1980 raised in the 90’s and the most memorable tag I remember seeing was CAT!

[@johnmurray1508]

Thank you very much for the upload, Robert. This is a strong doc with lots of heart, and insight. Nuff Erspect. Greatly appreciate your generosity.

[@RobertMoran215]

+John Murray Thank you for watching. Happy this has a life on KZbin

[@desegraffiti5665]

+Robert Moran upload more graffiti video's

[@richyrich5049]

I was a baby in the 80s, but if you ask me what I remember the most, I'd say it was riding the El or Subway and watching all the graffiti passing by.

[@ripjanetstrimel3312]

When i was growing up in Kensington philly the people I mostly saw on walls or el roof tops ...KAIR NARK COSE KE JAM OZ BOZA CAR TRISM ZAT ZERK ZEEK NAV EH ZAM ACTONE OZO ZAN BAKA BARK EPIC RH MB EMBER .. probably way more but loved it .. loved it more not knowing who was who ...

[@joshsor256]

It’s amazing still seeing their tags and credits your work is amazing great documentary

[@SinisterCity]

One of the most OG (Philly) documentaries

[@nathanielvasquez7060]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXiTiJ6wptqLsJY

[@Klos1neMN]

Huge props to Robert Moran, this was a informative and enjoyable all the way through. From a writers perspective Cornbread's name should be as recognizable as Taki183 or Stay High, the impact that these pioneers had on the scene can't be replicated. The Philly Wicket could almost be made into a documentary by itself. Kinda surprised Esteem and Curve didn't get interviewed as new school guys with old school knowledge but that's cool. Much respect, helluva job.

[@JJX-pp8zh]

TAKI IS LITERALLY LARGER THAN LIFE IN NYC

[@garlandowls1134]

A lot of people think Graffiti art started in New York but it actually started in Philadelphia.

[@djricknice]

Anyone remember the mural of bugs bunny smoking a joint above the El entrance when it goes underground on 46 street, around the late 70s early 80s ? I think it was done by Estro..

[@onlypimpseattacoswiththeir3017]

Of course.💯💪 I'm from 14th & kingsessing. Used to study that & other pieces since I was a kid😂

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

@@onlypimpseattacoswiththeir3017 meant to say 54th & kingsessing....auto correct

[@mikebe9919]

I remember all that And the estro throw up piece The Superman piece ..... I was there

[@Above420Feet]

i love the video bro, glad to see the original graffiti styles and the writers, this hour was well spent

[@yommish]

So great you made this doc and this history is being recorded and shared

[@mattbourque8841]

Pretty amazing that many of these crews are still around in Philadelphia.

[@JoshDone]

Cornbread the legend!

[@DoctheDon]

Thx vor all your work ❤🙏🏻

[@jester5980]

Growing up in Philly during the eighties,MB was the King! I had a chance to write with some really good writers back then; EZ,SJ,Car,RH,Pin. SCS CREW LAW1..RR&JAC... On the move !

[@chelsyp.3660]

Do you know where I can see these individuals' artwork online? I'm working on an article about black graffiti artists in the 70s'-90's.

[@stschannelt1476]

I know this is 5months old but instigram is your best bet they're all on there

[@StuffedBearSus]

@@chelsyp.3660 ain’t no art lol pure destruction

[@jester5980]

@Reddog215 hey man, thanks for the good news that those guys are still good. Funny story….I retired from S. E. P. T .A …twenty five years! It was like being a diabetic working in a candy factory!

[@ho0t0w1]

that Cornbread elephant story is legendary 😂

[@zephyr3332]

Love to learn about the founders of Philly graffiti. Awesome and respect from Ohio.

[@dpbreezy5699]

Philly got some of the best hands types in my opinion ... So dope to watch ... You gotta have a precise hand and good flow and rhythm there's a lot of factors that go with it they make it look simple but that shit is tough I'm not gunna lie ... Props from New England

[@dpbreezy5699]

Handstyles ** autocorrect

[@justinb954]

Bmore and Philly do have vicious hand styles!!

[@justinb954]

They are usually really generous when it comes to passing the torch. I was lucky to get schooled from a Philly legend.

[@lachlanjackson9720]

Where in New England I right sano in ri

[@richardrich1384]

Redacted Free Press bmore doesnt have hardly any Graff though

[@joeuify]

THE REAL KING!!!! MARK BROOKS!! Isn’t philly so fuckin silly?😎✨✨✨thanks for making my childhood so colorful!!!!

[@bestyoueverhad100]

It looks so different then what’s out now, big ups to those who have paved the way for the younger generations!

[@FractalClan]

thanks for the upload brother so good

[@flacokacko1143]

This is soooo great....thank you!!

[@kingjestertku]

Was a pleasure to be envoled with the makers of the video...... IYA crew Trykeepinup #philly

[@LaidbackAF]

Damm kids these days don’t know shit about the origins of graffiti. Respect to philly, I want to learn that wicked handstyle! Respect from Garbage Grove, CA

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

Respect from Philly GGCA😊🎆

[@o0rglez]

22 WEST FWY ALL DAY. 326 crue!

[@rafatrill]

Thank you for shotting, edited and self-financing the project Robert Moran!!!

[@antoniosantiago22]

How did I miss this doc,..love it 👍👍👍

[@Vissago22]

pretty cool, thanks for upload!!

[@kevindube7096]

Some of these men describe the motivation reason & beauty of it better than I ever heard

[@rickmckinney]

Awesome. Loved this. Amazing to finally see faces attached to the tags that influenced me back in the day. 58:26 was great! Any info on Mr. Blint?

[@RobertMoran215]

He didn't want to participate, and I was cool with that. He's doing very well otherwise.

[@onlypimpseattacoswiththeir3017]

@@RobertMoran215 what about RAZZ? I'm from kingsessing, southwest. RAZZ was big in west/ south west

[@phuckpills]

great video! I love the credit and kair interveiws along with all the others. bump kee. ICP reppin hard and I CEE PZK behind nb towards the end. very good video thro, props deserved!

[@leetsoup]

sick ty for the upload bro

[@reimourrpower9357]

Awesome! Shouts to Mr. Blint, Estro, Razz, Kadism XTC Crew and all the Philly artists work I used to see along the Schukyll River off Kelly Drive. Shouts at ex-mayor Wilson Goode, whatever chump; as the piece under the bridge said "Goode is NO good!" ; )

[@215toper]

Wow...kair used to have the el on lock back then. I like the history of the wicket style too. Great documentary.

[@CaliberBeats]

best graffiti documentary i've seen on youtube.

[@BKaneNp8]

Legendary Documentary! Thank you! #PhillyHipHop

[@tomwatson2430]

Those top n bottom fade tags are fucking quality and respect from uk cos philly got some unique styles that I think are mint,

[@dubrokske1]

rest in Paradise razz my big bro never forgotten----wab bold art 1

[@theodorepullins3124]

dizzy dee REST IN POWER “RAZZ” WP

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

RAZZ was the man. I'm from Kingsessing ave. RAZZ was everywhere 😊🎆

[@dexsnell178]

Thanks for posting. very good documentary

[@cfocantsleep2574]

Doesn't get more real and authentic to this doc showing the roots from where hands started word up!

[@skribleful]

Wha up KAIR ! it's the orig DAMER from NP. Awesome Video. Big up to ALL the original old writers.

[@YoozaLame]

I remember seeing KAIR everywhere in the early 90's

[@scottlambert741]

215 and 610 are my home. Moved outta Philly 3 years ago and miss it every single day !

[@khingofswordz43]

In my youth i used to "Bomb"(Graffiti) by the tag "Skream". Bombing was fun especially at night or after midnight. Me and my crew would hit the Septa train yards & hit up an unmarked subway car. Shout out "Razz" he's a Philly wall legend. Graff writing is still popular. A lot of Graff writers are now cartoonist, mural creators or just we grew up. Bombing will always be in the blood. There always going to be fake wannabes or vandals but bombing isn't the same as vandalism.

[@onemindmedia9494]

Ya shit was dope skream I remember seeing ya work

[@khingofswordz43]

@@onemindmedia9494 Good Looking Money !

[@tselone]

I wonder where all these old school writers at now, 13 years later? Dope documentary 😎✨🤘

[@mcblahflooper94]

fuckkkk this makes me want to write right now...

[@WiesoNurMistnamen]

I won't stop you

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

@@WiesoNurMistnamen lol right. Shit I just turned 45 Dec 8th & I still write EVERYDAY. Been doing graffiti since the early 80s & saw RAZZ around my city. 💯

[@Hautegirlfresh]

Masterpiece...thank you Robert!

[@000BatFuck000]

KAIR: "I live in the suburbs of Atlanta." That's funny, because I too live in the suburbs of Atlanta.

[@dantepreston6321]

Razz....legendary

[@ewilliams19]

Facts!

[@zem6300]

T-Bone is the uncle we all want...

[@stormy31657]

Thank you for sharing

[@SubtleBeast]

Hey this is my first time seeing this and I wanted to know if you still had maybe any unused footage of my dad RAZZ that I could see. Thanks

[@RobertMoran215]

+RudeWercTV I sent you a message. Check your KZbin inbox.

[@keithwelch2137]

Robert Moran you made this film?

[@keithwelch2137]

Robert Moran great work man. I've always appreciated Philly graffiti from up here in boston.

[@gardena888]

Dude my dad is a writer to but RIP Razz

[@ewilliams19]

Your pop was a cool ass guy I met him through my wife back in 96 on South Street saw him at Odune Day a few years ago. We came down to his shop to introduce him to a friend from Ohio named Fasamni who passed some years ago. Anyway he touched our lives and will never be forgotten!

[@RobertMoran215]

Thank you!

[@fhfffhfhffffhfhfourt]

good job, robert moran! sick vid.

[@mezosoup4518]

KAIR IS A KING

[@justinb954]

I'll 2nd that!

[@Blondehash666]

How do you find these guys? I'd love to talk to some of them man.. Philly for life, philly graff for life... You've seen me around. Haha.

[@RobertMoran215]

Blondehash666 Some of the guys have since died, others remain scattered. Google Graff X in Philly if you want to find who is still around here.

[@JHNC1978]

So dope. Should be in theaters

[@JaCKofSWoRDs1]

art is art

[@realhiphoplives9837]

shout out to the moon man!! havent seen you in a minute kid

[@hoganlongfellow]

Those are almost all old, yes there is bigger & better - well not better... different - shit now but all is this is from like 1980-2000. KAIR was everywhere, and I mean EVERYWHERE in Philly. You didn't drive thru Philly without seeing it 25 times in impossible places.....

[@jennymac7938]

He was the best. King Kair. He grew up a block away from me.

[@Northphilly-wu4oq]

Kair didn't have a lot of hits pass broad st

[@josephrivas4762]

I wanna fish with kool klepto Kidd.

[@dexikid]

for real

[@josephrivas4762]

Catch, tag and release.

[@aime1graffiti818]

this made me wanna like fishing!

[@dimviesel]

Everyone thought graffiti started in New York, Philly was doing it about 3 years earlier! Amazing

[@funkyfreshzorro00]

No Julio (NYcity) started in 67 like Cornbread the same time

[@imthedudeman7885]

Cool Earl reminds me of Dave Chapple's impression of a white news reporter.

[@hoganlongfellow]

gotta give him credit Kair was all over that city.....north, center city, northeast, he was everywhere

[@ch1il986]

from ch1 were we got a pretty deep history with graffitti and etc im digging this video

[@jahha3473]

Good docu on where it all started...

[@chrisbadtrekkie2103]

THE OLD SCHOOL RULES MY SON

[@JaCKofSWoRDs1]

some art is just an event i am impressed by this documentary

[@Vanquish360Owns]

Da 80's were da BEST yrs of my life for sure! Bombing, tagging, pieceing, Burner's, with Total Freedom!

[@RobertMoran215]

RIP Chewy

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

Are you KAIR?

[@omarsaleem3076]

Dope doc!!! I'm not a writer but I write...lol it's part if that hood hip hop culture everybody wrote, rapped, Dj, break dance or something ... Real Philly history . I remember many of these tags coming up riding the El, the 10, 36eyc

[@onlypimpseattacoswiththeir3017]

Born & raised in southwest philly. 1974. Been drawing/writing grafitti since '83. If "RAZZ" on this doc OR talked about bcuz he passed he may not be on here its not official.

[@KeyDyer]

Great doc 👌

[@PhillyChic215_]

West Philly Repping in the build!

[@ewilliams19]

WP!

[@Rileyesco1son]

How are you going to make a Philly Graf doc and not mention Kadism?!?

[@reimourrpower9357]

Until the end, one tag.

[@bigdaddy2343]

Right. . Barely no Duck, no Tan, no Bak, no Kadism or Js really. Shiiit. MB got like a 3 second scene. He was the first in many things. The first to really do connecting letters, he was the first to go all city with something other than a tag. He had throwups in every section at one time

[@seanlardner2687]

Big fact homie !! Leaving out a lot of legends !!

[@onlypimpseattacoswiththeir3017]

@@seanlardner2687 do they mention "RAZZ"?

[@bobyjohnson5718]

YES SIR. DANE MESK MOOSE MET

[@erichanhauser3190]

Great times in Philly. Where's KADSTER?

[@bnztne2159]

S.O to my philly writers KOREA, WACKO, STERN, LOKE, SNUZ , SNAK , BENZ , RAME , KREV ,OBAN , GOOSE , ZEBO , KAEX, ETC.... i just came back from killing the whole north philly because of this video

[@kevinkolodziejski8392]

BNZTNE 215 you forgot TOBER

[@1CrazyWeedSmoker]

BNZTNE 215 bro I just moved here from Michigan. I'm hella interested In the graffiti culture here do artists keep pages on Insta?

[@lolololig8098]

1CrazyWeedSmoker yeas

[@roca444]

Damn I love my city, big ups 215.

[@blickygang8397]

Love to see how far graffiti has come. Wish it was bigger than it is

[@aime1graffiti818]

00:30:40 handwriting demo! gotta love it man!

[@215Christ]

I remember Razz, shout to LAW 1..

[@tibio]

WOOOW ! thank 4 the info !

[@batessdd]

Great documentary ! Anyone know the name of the track playing at the end ?

[@robertnodder6754]

While my man King KAIR was indeed a legend...this docu is all over the place and so incomplete. You're better off watching the all 3 of the ON THE GO vids.

[@albertjannette3989]

WEST PHILLY U-CITY . 39th & Market . RIP U-CITY HIGH

[@TupDigital]

Wow it's surreal watching guys who would otherwise just be known as "old(ish) men" wax nostalgic on graff history, having never lost their love for the vibe of our underworld community....if you know, you know.

[@coastimage]

ABSOLUTELY INSPIRING MY MAN. WHERE'S MY SPRAYCAN????

[@Checkmarked]

watched the whole vid, so good stuff. but man i want to learn philly styles!

[@RobertMoran215]

"First Element" by Stape Mega and Digs Darklighter. They are Philly guys. I don't think they released that track anywhere except for this movie. Google them and maybe you'll find contact info.

[@BlindGeFeX]

seeing the MB interview is sick, my initials are MB and thats what i initinally wanted to write but of course i didnt this was around 05 my freshman year of HS. sophmore year i was down at rare breed i actually ran into MB and i will never forget the shit he told me and it still stuck with me today.

[@gonerouge2428]

31:52 I just had to a pause there just to take admire that tag shit Is dope

[@keithwelch2137]

Gone Rouge Philly thru and thru like nowhere else on earth.

[@funkyfreshzorro]

great documentary! Can somebody tell me, what's call last song? Respekt from Poland to Philadelphia.

[@OriginalAse]

good ol philly style..dope.