Since the graffiti of graffiti in New York City in the mid 1970's, many have come and attempted to bring the same elements to the original art form. Thousands of "writers" have splattered trains, buildings and have gone above and beyond to prove their credibility as an artist in the streets of both their home city and to the world.
But today as the police are getting smarter and the punishments for graf writers harsher, the ability to paint relies mostly on swiftness and location.
One of the major up and coming Hip Hop scenes that has been quietly brewing for over a decade has finally unleashed in full force and has also brought out some of the most beautiful pieces of graffiti in our time. That scene is Johannesburg South Africa.
Taking back to the original roots of speaking with not only beauty and amazement of talent, but also message and education for all those who are privileged to look.
Germany and Most of Western europe have been blessing the art wold with hundreds of beautiful pieces and collages on trains for quite some time now, and of coarse the US and Canada have been the founding contributors, but the struggle of South Africa rings in a different style and purpose.
In the piece above I wanted you to focus primaraly on the words "What Happened to Hip Hop?". The reason this speaks so much to me, not only as an active member of the hip hop community in chicago and music fan, is because it has been sent to america from across the world as a bomb to those who have stolen and raped our culture.
The pictures of the characters that the artists are making fun of are typical american "thug", "gangster" stereotypes of hip hoppers or rappers.
It shows me that, not only are our politics effecting the world view of america, but so is our music and entertainment.
Obviously right?
Well I may have know that to some degree, but then looking at this piece, I realized, how much the culture of america matters to others that are so far away.
Another ref, to further prove that point is the Quote from old school emcee "Flava Flav", who ironically is the star of an MTV reality show exploiting his celeb status, which reads:
"I wore a clock so you would know the time!"
Also little things inside the piece conclude the same thoughts; the "FAPE" gorilla logo making fun of "BAPE" footwear, a very new hip hop must have for the mainstream. The MTV belt buckle and watch breaking apart on the two characters either side of the magic mirror portrait of what looks to be TI wearing lipstick. THe FONG KONG belt buckle maybe indicating globalization as well as fake people, and the "SHEEP GEAR" which several other characters are wearing, unveiling the followers of the fashion side of our culture.
The letters from each artist are insanely beautiful and very well executed.
I cant make out the second one, but the "ANGEL" letters on the right are also very reminiscent of early wild style graffiti and blends.
Over all I wish graffiti was still around like this in Chicago. I also have no idea if this is a "permission wall" or if it was done illegally. One can only assume that the writers in South Africa have been practicing allot and I believe the noise heard from there will soon be heard around the globe.
Very 1988 B. boy esq. The crew of painters who painted this piece are named:
Toe 007
RASTY
HACONE
and ANGEL
this is the first piece that i have seen from them and I am anxious to see more!
HERE IS A LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE PICTURE FOR YOURSELF TO GET A BETTER LOOK!!!
http://www.sendspace.com/file/qlwrlg
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