The Secret World of New York Underground Graffiti

[@AsphaltAnarchy]

When I was a teenager, I worked at an ice cream store in a mall and would trade ice cream for food to a local graffiti artist who worked at the Panda Express. We became friends through this haha. He was well known and respected in the local graffiti community. He would have me roll with him on countless occasions to "hit up" and in the process we would have some amazing conversations. Sometimes they were whispered to keep from being caught, other times we could relax more and drink some tall cans and smoke a joint. This friendship although in a risky setting kept me from getting in a lot of trouble in other aspects of my life. As I got older, he was there to guide me on the right path. Getting a career, being present for my daughter, learning to manage my anger and spread love. This episode made me feel like I was that 17-year-old fearless kid again watching my older homies back while getting kicked some knowledge from an OG. RIP King PLEX 83

[@Solarris]

RIP to the OG PLEX

[@powellpker]

i dont think u realise how much of a legend niceo is.. Dude gets up and BIG too.. All writers take part in tagging no matter the skill level.. it is the fundamental part of graffiti.

[@pierce9019]

Writers? What you writing?

[@atatctd]

​@@pierce9019 writers is just a term used by artists to talk about graffiti artists.

[@Cekios]

Might be a legend (only in NY) yet his style and can control suck.

[@anthonyforde2772]

@@pierce9019 writing their name. That’s why they are called writers

[@pierce9019]

@@anthonyforde2772 I see, still feels goofy calling people that paint on walls writers, either artist or vandal depending on the location seems more appropriate

[@jtejk57]

Bushcamp was a perfect guy to interview/have as a guide for this video. You can tell how passionate he is about this stuff ! Great vid Tommy

[@PrincessAddie14]

The perfect idiot that got them caught I would never roll with that dude

[@drdavinsky]

He looks like beetle juice

[@ryanhowe2259]

Seriously dude is gonna get cooked showing his face

[@henriluehring319]

@@ryanhowe2259 bro bushcamp has been writing for years and has had his face on social media for a while now I agree it’s not the smartest idea but pretty sure he doesn’t have a record (correct me if I’m wrong)

[@henriluehring319]

Idk he’s had his face up and I don’t think it’s caused him much trouble

[@Coffee_Gamer]

Pretty soon tommy is gonna be in the middle of a war interviewing soldiers and running through cover for his documentaries. Dude is dedicated. What an amazing job.

[@TheLifePhoenix]

Cuz he’s getting rich doing it. Course yo

[@iRxshed]

@@TheLifePhoenixno he’s not do yo homework youngin. most of his videos are demonetized

[@matthewlogan4267]

Philly did it first

[@cosmiccharlie8006]

Love it, but I wish it was longer and more in depth. With NYC's graffiti history there are so many old school writers and other more current writers you could have also linked with. With NYC graf there's so much history and so many stories to be told. But im glad you covered the tiny bit you did.

[@Kreem415]

There’s a lot of beef too tho. These old cats don’t really like the newer style peeps

[@Lil-Britches]

Your should watch "Infamy" it's a really good graffiti documentary. I've been writing over 17yrs I'm in my 30s+ and I still write not gonna stop.

[@andy_182]

im guessing its just hard for TommyG to cold call random big names and say "Hey I wanna talk to you with a big fat camera in your face, hows that?" Happy hes able to get at least footage with someone unique

[@gallarzo916]

Tommy’s theme seems to be sticking with one person and letting that person take Tommy into their world.

[@dlife7427]

Welcome to the channel.

[@pearlssbu8749]

Im a writer from nyc and was literally praying you would do something like this. I know all these guys and this video just made my day

[@John-mf6ky]

Stay up bro

[@taevs]

Shoutout to all the people keeping the graffiti culture alive, and shoutout to Tommy for making great content.

[@landonpayne6263]

Pleaseeee film graffiti bombers its a totally different game. climbing buildings, catching fills infront of people, running from the feds. Alot of writers like the rush of being in the streets and not chill spots like this hahaha no hate but it would be way more interesting

[@TommyGMcGee]

Get me a connection and I will do it! @tommygmcgee

[@landonpayne6263]

​@@TommyGMcGee i can send you some stuff but im from toronto

[@skam713]

Bruh I'm a street bomber from Houston hit me up all my homies are street bombers as well...by the way I love that song by the roots lol

[@jayceja2205]

@@TommyGMcGee🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️

[@PlutoTheGod]

He doesn’t understand bombing and neither does like 95% of society. It’s something only other writers are into honestly. Some things are best just left to be found and understood on their own!

[@Provoke2k]

bro said nobody was about to pull up lmaoo the whole fire department came outta nowhere

[@Slayerrrrrr]

Shoutout to all the NYC writers putting in work keeping the culture alive!

[@cyclingtexas1670]

What culture? Vandalism

[@KCurioso7]

@@cyclingtexas1670 you nerd you wish u were a cool Whyte boy you just a nerd

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

@@cyclingtexas1670 nothings being destroyed. It’s just paint. If you ride bikes you should know by now to stay in your lane

[@cyclingtexas1670]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI tax dollars are being destroyed. Graffiti costs a lot of money to abate not to mention its other peoples property. So yes things are being damaged

[@downmfer]

@@cyclingtexas1670 you sound fun at parties

[@evanparnaby4210]

I love that tommy is getting his well deserved fame filming these documentaries showing people the dark side of life. Much love brother ❤

[@Jerm762]

Lmao you’re a bot ahh npc

[@triple_gem_shining]

Ain't necessarily dark. Some of it is. But graffiti ain't dark. It's rad!

[@JohnSmith-bw6pv]

This guy is beyond cringey and corny mind as well have a news reporter make this :|

[@thatboycooks]

This aint the "dark side" of life

[@Scribble336]

Dark side of life😂😂😂 It's art man.

[@Dnt_Push]

This brought back some good memories! Climbing on rooftops and bridges, running from the cops. Some of the most fun I ever had!

[@bentleyv1233]

I’ve been part of the graff scene since I was 13 and I’m 22 now. Im one of the very few younger writers in my city (New Haven, CT) that breathes graff. People still do it, but not as many young writers do it fr they just fucking around. So I love that you’re exposing my generation to this way of life. My Pops wrote in Brooklyn in the 90s and I used to love taking the train down w him as a kid and seeing the pieces. THANK YOU Tommy G for documenting this iconic part of American culture ❤🙏

[@wapkrillzjr4996]

I live in Shelton and there's pretty dope huge spots like abandoned train tracks under highway that has half a football field long walls on both sides and there's huge pieces on every inch of it

[@charlesphilips2920]

@@wapkrillzjr4996 north haven newhaven all the way up the rails to hartford are some nice1s also the fright yard muddyriver under the q

[@embodimentofgraff6604]

This is very cool. As a writer my self, tunnels and chill spots like those are only a part of the scene. Lots of writers hit red hot spots that are very visible and dangerous. Those writers focus on getting up than dropping burners in a chill spot.

[@incognitoazzmobsta]

Amen

[@PitudoOnFridays]

Bushcamp is a G bro. Most of the graffiti artist I know are older people. Their prime was in the 90’s.

[@couchmayne4351]

Dam I feel like I’m getting old I started painting in 06 but just tags didn’t get to bomb until 2013 then I kept moving up wigs I would’ve started bombing early would’ve been more beast I just started my graff channel to document my shit

[@avori333]

Shoutout to tommy for putting all his time into these videos. ❤

[@tuborglite9673]

Props to the firefighters for being so chill about it. They even wrote cavemen for giggles, lol. I used to be a pretty big writer in the mid 90's early 20's. I really miss those days

[@Buddhapyro]

Tf they gonna do other then call the cops 😂

[@My_Alchemical_Romance]

Firefighters goin down for their “smoke” break. Hahaha We need full hour long episodes!

[@spencer30000]

That dude is my favorite from any doc so far. What a legend. This video was dope

[@maplejakee]

Bush is so natural and funny on camera for these types of gritty documentaries lol

[@michaelallen3395]

I only came across your channel today and so far I've now spent the past few hours watching your video's and think they're great. You and your crew do an amazing job because your all respectful towards everyone you interview, you come across as a really likeable character that asks the right questions so us viewers aren't left scratching our heads. Love to see alot more on people in America as I live in London UK and we have alot of similar issues but not come across anyone yet that does what you guy's do. Lol.

[@loganthedoctor]

By far favorite video. Explore more of the underground physical art scene. It’s the art of our day.

[@MikeyNY]

I never saw this coming. I got into the game when I was a lil kid. A lot of talent in the city. Rip Zexor WTO and shout out to graffiti wanderer

[@Lil-Britches]

Graffiti Wander is choice❤

[@Erick.castillo]

RIP Zex fr man

[@AntiH3r084]

i love the wibe down in the tunnels, seems like a chill spot to go and check out. It reminds me of when i just walked the trainline taking photos and looking for cool spots to paint. Now i only paint semilegal walls under the highway. But back in the days we where hitting subway stations! Its so quiet at the same time you can feel the adrenaline rush when you hear a noise. And i love to take the subway to the station the next day to check it out before they buff it. Much love from Oslo Norway! :)

[@RallEeyeRedact]

So many different cities you could do this in. Detroit, LA, SF etc. I wish this vid was 3 times longer. But thanks for this. Loved graff since 92’ and will forever love it.

[@coleslaw7524]

Definitely and just dropped with tron in the d and I hope he got more graf content

[@alexcedillo4408]

Tommy covering the graph scene is dope 🔥🔥

[@DontCareNotListening]

Bushcamp is a living legend anywhere you go. If you spray, you know Bushcamp.

[@Lil-Britches]

I've been writing for so long I don't even really give it much thought. I'm a grown ass man. Lol honestly I'll prolly do it till I die. I got into it through art and breakdancing, then tattooing. Painting letters as tall as you can reach is so much fun. It's a love letter to the streets. FGCrew 512 ATX

[@damiendaes7940]

That’s niceo dudes a legend . Keep the graff stuff coming

[@vincentcorcoran6247]

That's my old bombing partner,and one of my best friends

[@TheGraveyShow]

I used to be a writer and have done a ton of missions with real crews, not trying to catch any felonies for trains or throwups at this point in my life but graffiti helped shape me as a teen. Big ups to the writers still out there doing their thing and expressing themselves. Good to see it still alive in some sense. Long live NYC Graff. Shoutout JA, Klops, Cope,TFV, EZK.

[@libtards]

You can go for year and years never getting caught if you do it solo all my homies write but I never join em cuz all of them have been caught several times over the years

[@STOPSYPHER]

@@libtards “you can go for years without getting caught but I don’t know anyone who hasn’t gotten caught”

[@TheGraveyShow]

@@libtards Yeah if you want any longevity in the game, solo missions are key.

[@rhettsmithford1475]

only toys retire.

[@clouix]

@Les GouBrandon why you care about something you dont own

[@soupy7948]

YESS!! thanks for delivering. i requested this like... a couple months ago. once again, love you tommy.

[@alexcedillo4408]

Appreciate you if he made this cause of your comment 😭🔥🔥

[@Angellll666]

Been on the Graff game for a few years now, seeing Tommy posting bout the art of it all it's crazy keeping up !🔥💪🏻

[@unilumb4066]

You can see the passion and the artistry that resides within BUSHCAMP it is unearthly

[@saltyboi2435]

The freedom tunnels (the place this was recorded) is an amazing place, me and my friends go there sometimes. Its wild down there cus sometimes homeless guys chill there and u gotta watch out cus theyre dangerous

[@severlst2293]

Cool guy. He was really chill about explaining tags, getting up, and pieces to you. I’m mad jealous of the spots in New York.

[@syrupx511]

When he said bushcamp I knew it was niceo....nyc legend

[@DevinTheDivine]

I wonder if they got silent alarms on those doors. Maybe that's why the fire department showed up. That's crazy af though. Dope video G

[@nodnoc]

big possibility

[@majorgudan6567]

they dont rn i think they just go down there to smoke maybe or cuz they think its a cool spot

[@jonathansalinas1177]

He needs to do a documentary with real street writers! Hitting up billboards,rooftops,buildings,freeways street signs hiding from cops and people

[@DonaldHendleyBklynvexRecords]

As a person that lives next to a Fire House, It Was Way More Suspicious Those Fire Fighters Was There! What Fire? Who Needed Assistance?

[@dg8522]

They kept saying to put the camera away too

[@DonaldHendleyBklynvexRecords]

@@dg8522 yes it says alot! If they're the ones with the right to be there why so hostile to the Cam of all things? They wasn't calling cops because they didn't belong there as well!!! This world is nasty y'all stay vigilant and aware!!

[@anthonytorres4375]

They were probably doing training exercises.

[@nodnoc]

they were wearing a bunch of gear so they were probably doing training,

[@lucasskovgaard3526]

it's their smoking spot

[@jtejk57]

10:23 Miguel is a real one 😂😂

[@Jagerleaf]

If that Amtrak train in the tunnel was actually blowing its horn and not just an SFX you put on after the fact then the conductor definitely saw you because they never use their horn underground in NYC.

[@ImpulsiveWandering]

It was a sfx, that shit woulda been so loud if it wasn't

[@Synthetic-Chicken]

Being from a smaller city compared to New York, its crazy the amount of space and buildings you guys have to scale and get up.

[@Lil-Britches]

Yeah I'm in Austin and it's not hard to get up here at all. Also people don't fuck with you. I've painted midday in very public places and nothing has ever happened. It's just like "okay that guy really is doing that right now" like yeah your not gonna get out your car and stop me. I'll be gone the time the cops get there. Just look at the color scheme I'm using and the tonal choices I've made. ❤

[@Synthetic-Chicken]

@@Lil-Britches Yeah bit different here in NZ, a lot of uppity Karens who would report you. I've always been close to the cities even as big as they are, nothing compared to New York but we had to find good places to do big pieces discreetly.

[@DesperadoDufel]

Hyped for this one...Tommy G + Underground shit + Graffiti =🔥🔥🔥🐶

[@anything_idc_]

Tommy you blew up for real dawg! Your on the 1 mill grind now my brother. You got it no problem💯💯 great video big dawg

[@deputybenns670]

Tommy is such a good KZbinr I love all his videos keep up the good work!

[@rinrae26]

Not me sitting outside a tire shop in Wichita “out of town” from Kansas City & being right next to a train watching all of the ART going by feet away from me admiring the talent…then this man Tommy popping up with a history of ART!

[@rinrae26]

Also, I paused this video at 47 seconds & wrote this….

[@Nxck47]

@@rinrae26 47

[@fsrobertson2366]

Great video! I love BushCamp gear, especially the T-shirts! Nice is my favorite!

[@Alan-ks3tk]

As a long term writer myself it's good to see youtubers checking the scene out! Peace from Australia!

[@zanez7953]

By far one of the most interesting topics you've talked about, when I was a kid I was always curious about graffiti and the culture around it. Thank you for this amazing video :)))

[@HecticTKS]

These videos go CRAZY!

[@IamBracken]

yo my guy the production value and overall flow of your vids have gotten so much cleaner bro! keep that shit comin!

[@ITSSKUDDUMMY]

Man as a writer it’s hurts me to hear Tommy trashing tags and toy work. You don’t understand and that’s cool but try to learn before trashing people for getting up. You wouldn’t have That beautiful work without that person starting doing trash tags. It’s all apart of the process and it’s all art.

[@gotmilk6955]

toy comment

[@tellthetruth7497]

Nah the best graffiti writers in the world still catch tags, it’s part of the art form. Those “ugly” tags may be from the same people who do the pieces these casuals praise. Can’t have it both ways, no one just pieces pretty pieces.

[@ITSSKUDDUMMY]

@@gotmilk6955 he said what every old white lady says “I love the art but hate those damn tags” like how to do you think those artists got started?

[@masonfrosty3046]

yeah he doesn’t understand that graffiti is about getting UP. tags , throws , hollows , it all counts. annoyed the fuck out of me

[@irishjoe9195]

@@tellthetruth7497 exactly

[@kevhutchhustle]

CM is not only a movement. It is definitely the criminal minded brand straight Outta NYC. Thanks for showing my brother Much love Tommy G. Respect Milwaukee and all those with the criminal minded state of mind of prosperity across the globe. We are all CM. Thanks for your support. Keep truth. Keep graffiti, keep hip-hop culture alive. . My brother and our family thank you! Peace and love from Kev Lova, aka Chicken Lova aka Kev Hutch aka Philly Blunt CM , CMOM.

[@matthewlogan4267]

Philly started the tagin graffiti we waz the first niggas to do graffiti

[@matthewlogan4267]

Philly waz da city that started graffiti before new yourk

[@Dead2you]

big OG Niceo! no shit, dude. this guy has no idea he's in the presence of greatness. what a fucking guide to have. truly a once in a lifetime experience. shoutout all my AUB's OSH PT's (@6:04) BTM's 3A's IBU's MDP's holding down the PNW and west coast in NYC. FreshPaint is a cool dude, too. love his channel.

[@Fr4nkbfishin]

“I love being by myself a lot” so relatable

[@brimzs]

I love Graff I'm from UK and I've seen some amazing stuff . Especially in Spain they had some of the illest shiz I e ever seen in Seville . Its nice to see the Big Apple writers doing their stuff big respect to all the real writers out there fr. That Raekwon piece was priceless . This guy was a real one great content Tommy u killing it atm.

[@stokeyone]

Just came back from malaga Spain I'm from UK. Your right there writers are on some other shit man they are crazy good

[@John-mf6ky]

I'm not really into euro style, but dudes across the pond definitely get down. Still hitting trains (insides and outsides) too.

[@matthewlogan4267]

Then youz will love philly we started it modern ghetto Graffiti came from uz philadephians

[@EXTIC-wp1ip]

My man loves them murder creek jammerz! Shesh🔥🔥🔥

[@tecv2]

i feel like the “caveman” tag while you guys were gone was the fire dept messing with you if you were to come back😭

[@southsidemilly414]

Or maybe they an actual tagging crew disguised as fire fighters n that's they name lol

[@nodnoc]

@@southsidemilly414 or maybe theyre real firefighters who also happen to tag 😂

[@tecv2]

@@southsidemilly414 if they an actual tagging crew they need a better tag n learn how to tag in general.

[@emmanuelmartinez5588]

Support Tommy G at all cost! Big dawg gotta eat to keep these fire ass episodes going 🔥🔥🔥

[@yoyo-sn6mx]

i’ve been waiting for a graff episode

[@matthewlogan4267]

Ya philly created graffiti we were the ones that started it new york jocked off of uz

[@yoyo-sn6mx]

@@matthewlogan4267 fye

[@Rogerswoodworkx]

I couldn't find anything enjoyable to watch and then tomy g posted video!!! Love ya bro keep up the amazing work

[@luisla2696]

Same here...love everything he puts out...

[@gibz4269]

This culture is unmatched props to you for making this! This scene has so much history!

[@firstnamelastname-nb2pm]

he aint worried bout anybody coming thru that door lol😂 fire department comes thru

[@OwenJc00]

I found you through the KIA boyz video and ive binged watched all your videos since

[@phoreignoutcast1361]

The video all New Yorkers have been waiting for 🔥💯

[@koukutus3272]

As an amateur writer i enjoyed this alot! Please do more graffiti related videos.

[@iminyourhousebro]

We are gonna look back and use this dudes shit in history class. He documents and gives voices to the people who aren't heard and understood. He gives a great platform for all walks of life. Thank you Tommy!

[@jestertryna8956]

8:08 " Yeah but ten thousand times may not be your number" 💯

[@kodywoodward]

I have always been interested in graffiti since I was a kid. I love the different styles and colors and how from place to place how it differs. I went to Germany and their Graffiti has different styles over there.

[@carefreeme8202]

I grew up in a very small town in the midwest USA, like 500 people. Watching the trains with all sorts of graffiti come through was a highlight of my childhood.

[@600mero9]

I went to Mexico it's amazing how different graff is in different countries

[@Xwro]

pleasee make more graffiti documentarys they are so good!

[@bigdawg3587]

As a life long Graff writer I appreciate you making this doc

[@Adam-nv9zo]

Tommy with another banger.

[@theskater9401]

Finally someone made a good graffiti documentary glad that he make a documentary of something i do

[@Krudd07]

Haha no bro watch quality of life

[@yvngcrispy]

There are tons of good documentaries imo, do you have a problem with them, if so, what exactly? Generally curious

[@bullsdeep-4758]

I love Tommy’s videos. Wish they were a little longer

[@shawnsolo316]

Thank you so much for representing graff writers!

[@CollinGill7]

i like that tommy doesnt try to put a spin on anything or try to present any kind of story, he just documents what interesting people are up to in a genuine fashion

[@mattbo2003]

Bush camp has talent!!!

[@aaron-nd7vk]

i was just out hitting the streets last night and wake up to this video. Tommy rlly knows whats up, still got paint on my fingers as i type lmao

[@Wastheword]

We love tommy g

[@fillys6433]

Do a sequel! This was very interesting and entertaining

[@craigoconnor4615]

Graffiti is a brilliant form of art especially when it's good pieces not just tags. It would brighten up cities and towns if they let portions of the walls and buildings be used as art platforms. The colours the styles the creativity it's limitless. Cool video

[@CANControlGRAFFITI]

@Bing Bong paint equals dirt to you? Interesting.

[@exriq4409]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI You break the law and vandalize the city to get 280 views on your dead channel just stop talking...

[@Nnn30055]

@@CANControlGRAFFITI yes I wouldn’t want someone painting my car just to brighten it up.

[@json169]

a tag is the building blocks to a burner tho like? that big beautiful "art" you like.... started with a tag. thats real graff.

[@marley1995]

Tags are the foundation. You have no idea what you’re talking about

[@GRAGGLE]

That was wild lmao bushcamp an OG

[@monttyy4879]

Lmao I love how he said they can’t get in from there and then they do

[@johnwray393]

They cut right to them coming from that side directly after he said that too. Lol Those firefighters know those tunnels as well.

[@highvibefreqzshow5967]

Dope! Now go to the West Coast and hang with those graffiti artists. Let the world see how crazy diverse graffiti artists are, yet it’s all one culture. Simply beautiful.

[@j0siah]

been subscribed to Tommy since around 30k when he was making the freestyle gas station videos.. to see someone come such a long way is crazy, these videos are a Netflix series quality.. insane.

[@Dule-my1yc]

You have to do another video with Bushcamp, this was amazing :)

[@Kgoutdoor]

The hot pink with the blue really Makes it pop! This is true art.

[@claytonhaynes7362]

Wow , Niceo is a legend for sure. I didn't know he has been writing so long. Also, Billy from the Graffiti Wanderer channel is dope af. Thanks for the great content

[@vincentcorcoran6247]

Me and Niceo were bombing partners in the mid 80s

[@wordbird7]

Each upload is a banger!!! Thanks for showing us the inside of certain hobbies🤟🏻

[@FBIs]

always loved taggers like kid pk and more prominent street artists like banksy. thanks for this amazing documentary. "graffiti" is ART

[@blayasblay3941]

Art is so subjective. Funny if somebody just wants to vandalize, but happen to manifest their monk ancestor calligraphist spirit a-la Rammellzee and suddenly the collective consciousness says it's art. Like, when you criticize money well enough, you get rewarded for that, with money.

[@reportedstolen3603]

Don’t put PK KID in the same convo as Bansky lmao. Two different worlds . Respect to PK legend

[@02191781]

Dope video. Wasn’t expecting to see the graffiti wanderer ! Stay up!

[@Fishguy13]

I love the video as always! Crazy the things you document! Happy to see the subs going up!!👏🏻 Video idea…catching big river catfish by hand, noodling! I’d love to see your take on that eventually even though you probably have better ideas already

[@shannaswurl9445]

“We good” Yeaa bro didnt look so confident when he said that😂

[@ggloverify]

Tommy may not be pregnant but he never fails to deliver🎉

[@MyNameiisMudd]

You thought that was gone hit 😂

[@thenightmare7373]

KZbin: "Yeah, we striking you"

[@liamohara6071]

What people dont understand about tagging, is the fact that each person can have a unique "handstyle" they bring to their tags. While its not as flashy as a piece or throwie. Tagging has a special place in the world of graffiti - good tags can be just as recognisable as a huge piece with bold lettering and colours.

[@yankees29]

JA JA JA JA

[@ReeferCheifer13]

Next time Tommy lurks with 1up

[@couchmayne4351]

Imagine bro, trying to get up to these cats just started my channel too

[@joeyjohns]

Love this I do graffiti and Im glad you made a documentary about it, people make it look worse than it is. Thanks

[@shawndunleavy892]

Now New York and Philadelphia lead the carjacking race! Such innovators

[@astrorobinson3716]

As a Midwest Tattooer I did not expect to see this on Tommy’s channel. What a pleasure.