Stay High 149

[Joker]

I have been asked to post this story here by Graffiti.org


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http://www.stayhigh149.com/
real deal

http://www.luisart.org
likely name jumper

Bio and TATs have asked me to publish this letter publicly. You can refer to it here if you need to:

http://www.graffiti.org/bench/2008/02/stayhigh149-controversy.html

Luis has also been denounced somewhat publicly by MICO, who was on the scene at the time.

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Regarding the StayHigh 149 wars
First, I would like to point out that I usually would not involve myself in internet gossip but this has become a real problem. I have too much respect for the graffiti culture and admiration for the old school to allow this to continue. I have just recently learned that you are using my name as well as Per in supporting your claim to be StayHigh149. I will not speak for Per I can only speak for myself.

I cannot say who wrote what first because I was not there. I have been writing for 30 years so I cannot comment on what happened in the 70s. I can only go by what I learn from the old school writers who were there. I know that when we first met you told us you were StayHigh149 and we were like "no way." We even asked you if you were the guy who painted the stick figure smoking a joint and you said yes.

We had no reason to doubt you back then we weren't around in the early days to know and StayHigh had not been heard from in years we took your word for it. I have to say maybe you did write StayHigh149 first (your claim) but you are definitely not the one that people are referring to or the one responsible for all the photos we have seen published throughout the years. What I'm saying is that whether you were first or not you are not the guy who made the name famous.

No one would even be talking about any of this if it were not for the efforts of StayHigh149, Voice of the Ghetto. The man who brought us the smoking stickman. I don't have anything against you personally, you were a cool person but I cannot support you in this matter.

I now know the truth and have since met the original StayHigh149. I look back and realize that we were fooled -- the signs were always there but we just ignored them. I remember Seen UA bringing you some photos of some StayHigh pieces on trains and you said you didn't remember doing them. I found that strange but let it slide. I also noticed that the tag and stick figure you use to tag looked a little shaky but I dismissed it thinking you might be rusty. I also remember speaking to Phase 2 and he told us that the original StayHigh was black.

I remember we were starting to doubt that you where StayHigh then you went and got a StayHigh tattoo and I remember thinking damn I doubt anyone would go to those lengths if he wasn't the real person. I remember going to a Hugo Martinez gallery show with you and all the old school writers saying that the original StayHigh149 was a black guy. At this time I realize that we had been fooled.

I don't think we made a big deal of it at the time because we had become cool with you. I'm sorry that I have to speak about this publicly but you have made it a public matter. I am not attacking you but I cannot allow my name to be used in an effort to change history when I know that you are not the StayHigh who made graffiti history. Bg183 who also painted with you feels the same way. I have nothing to gain by discrediting you but I will not let history be distorted. I'm sorry but credit goes to where credit is due. I wish you much success in your other artistic ventures.

Bio Tats Cru

[INKHEADSCREW]

what a fag hahah.

hey everyone nice to meet you im Seen

[Skag]

Haha.

[STYLEISKING]

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the original one and only stay high 149...
i guess youre never to old, when you see a guy like this
respect!

[earl broclo ESQ]

wow. to think, this dude made that claim when he was an adult. that's pretty fucking sad.

[mike36]

WTF!?:confused: :eek:

[*TOPTACO]

I remember seeing one of those pretty "stay high" pieces published in some zine back in the early mid 90s. having done my research,racking the faith of graffiti out of my local library,i was even a little suspect then. (i think i remember seeing a "stay high....on life" or something.in that zine) I remember thinking to myself that it was some sort or tribute to the real deal. some tribute.....this guys art sucks too. walking around claiming to be a writing legend. someone should knock this guy out cold and take his shoes. and he should move back to PR.

[DJ Ren]

what a loser! he even got a tattoo :lol: :lol:

[earl broclo ESQ]

walking around claiming to be a writing legend. someone should knock this guy out cold and take his shoes.

REAL TALK! :lol:

[Suds_McDuff_Oner]

Stay High is a legend.......

[*TOPTACO]

I wonder if this is why a picture of stayhigh was published in Phase2's book STYLE WRITING FROM THE UNDERGROUND on page 35. which came out in 1996. Freedom ran the same pic of him in his Documentary.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v436/toptaco/IMG_0878.jpg
Thanks to themefromthebottom who met THE REAL one and got this for me.

[Tze]

i saw this man up on the 7 line ..the tag was "frank iz stayhigh149" i was shock to see a stay high tag dude been killing it for years


respect and props my brother

[nova213]

what a fag hahah.

hey everyone nice to meet you im Seen

oooh ohh can i be zephyr??!!!?!?!?!

[pdxmith]

yo theres a stayhigh 149 tag in the backround in american gangter

[hypergraphia]

what a fag hahah.

hey everyone nice to meet you im Seen

look whos talking

[yinz n'at]

foolish

[Mouth For War]

So let me get this right a dude that used to hang with Tats claimed he was Stay High? And it turned out he really wasn't ...I was flipping through an old source magazine the other day and they supposedly talked to him back in 2001...I'm scanning it right now, I'll post it in a sec... Somebody let me know if this is the real deal Stay High or the fake one.

[Mouth For War]

Sorry about the size, I figured some of you might wanna read it.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2043/stayef4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5097/stayyao8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That's gotta be the real one, right?

[MisterSenor]

wow...is all i can say

[KARE?]

haha

[AllYourOilAreBelongToUS]

What would bring someone to this level of stupidity?

[*TOPTACO]

Sorry about the size, I figured some of you might wanna read it.
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2043/stayef4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/5097/stayyao8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

That's gotta be the real one, right?

Real

[Mouth For War]

Yeah that's what I thought....But I had to get some confirmation after reading Joker's post.

So this guy that claimed to be Stay High was a white dude? And people bought his story? That's pretty fuckin' funny.

[HUMAN SKULL BONG]

Awesome. Saw that dude(no white guy) wearing a stay high shirt in new york a few years back and was like "what?" but didn't want to say anything and have him be like "I don't know what you're talking about I got this shirt at some store"

[TeamEncinoMan]

wow. this is interesting. the www.luisart.org link doesn't work for me... anybody else? i'd like to see this imposter, or his "art."

[vendalism]

It was common knowledge in the 80's that Stay High was a black dude. In the last few years photos of the original Stay High tagging peoples black books at gallery shows have appeared on the internet. So I'm a confused to why the imposter is having his card pulled now in 2008 This is definitely a strange story.

[ThuggedOutGypsyz]

What would bring someone to this level of stupidity?

Money(People looking at your shitty art, that wouldn't before), Fame, Respect... it just extra grimy 'cause i doubt the real stay high is rollin in the 600 benz (I hope im wrong) But hes an old school legend, like running around with art fags and saying you went allcity king, or trying to hustle tourists is one thing, but stealing another mans creative identity (That put in fucking WORK) that may not have(Might never) reaped any benefits.... hope you get a hotter spot in hell hommie...

[Edward Orenthal Norton]

yeah that guy hit me up on myspace a couple months back.
he was claiming that StayHigh 149 (original) had bit his style and name.
i was skeptical, now this confirms it
http://www.myspace.com/stayhigh149

[yomommasaho]

yo theres a stayhigh 149 tag in the backround in american gangter

serious? what scene?

[thar112]

i seen 2 of his figures the other day in china town. i was so siked.

[Cracked Ass]

yo theres a stayhigh 149 tag in the backround in american gangter

serious? what scene?

During the final raid on the projects. It's in the stairwell as they work their way up, on the right side of the screen.

[work yr soul]

yeah that guy hit me up on myspace a couple months back.
he was claiming that StayHigh 149 (original) had bit his style and name.
i was skeptical, now this confirms it
http://www.myspace.com/stayhigh149

everyone should read his side of the story on myspazz

says he got the Stay High 149 tattoo in 1967...

interesting

[work yr soul]

what a fag hahah.

hey everyone nice to meet you im Seen

Seen UA or Seen TC5? :D

[wcf10]

I was at the show Bio references in his letter and concur with everything he says. I would like to point out a couple of facts that are irrefutable and should put this matter to rest. When Luis walked into that show he introduced himself as Stay High 149. It was during Wayne's 20 year absence so there was no reason to share the credit with him at the time. Now that Wayne's back and remembered by so many he has no choice. Wayne had already been pictured in NY Magazine in 1973. Luis is Spanish but that photo depicted a black man. Another fact regarding Luis's claim of writing name with number graff in 66-68 is impossible. It didn't exist. If no photos of his tag from those years exists wouldn't one tag, any tag with a name and number anywhere in NYC have survived in a photo even if by accident? It's not like either of these guys are fighting over a winning lottery ticket. Wayne deserves to own his legacy and sell his work . His very existence depends on it. 5 people emailed me about Luis's video since I interview Wayne at the end. I am just trying to distance myself from any connection to Luis's claim.

Sincerely,

J.SON/TERROR161

[clizclean]

the real 1 did an interview in a documentaery back in the 90's.. i dont remember, it might have been 'while you were sleeping'.. or a newyork subway one, sry

[clizclean]

this is the first time ive heard of a white 1

[EM-AE-ES-1]

he came to orlando and opened up a graff store then tried to use his name(stay high) to do events and get sponsership he was called out be some real writers and it seems to me he was black listed and nobody fucked wit him then moverd i think hes in puerto rico now he told me the stories and theydidnt seem to be real deal i was told he was trying to get his shine on be for the real stay high dies( he might have had a health issue of some sort )
kind of a doosh bag but what ever a got a couple of free cans just to sit there and listen to the bullshit... i say many people has had the same name who ever makes it known and respected owns it

[STYLEISKING]

http://citynoise.org/upload/42273.jpg
wow hell turn 60 this year,i guess youre never to old to write!!!!

[Talkofthatown919]

i was wonderin about that puerto rican dude claimin to be the real stay high glad i found this thread.

[OF147]

OK I will tell you guys a true story right here right now. Luis is the fake StayHigh 149!
Back in the days when there was no photography internet etc. this guy went somewhere and seen a real "Stay High 149" tag downtown.

He figgured hey I'm gonna go to my block and "become" Stay High! So he did a few tags pieces around his way mimicking the real Stay High. Luis quit after a year or so and went on with his life.

The real Stay High disappears for 20 years or so, since he's missing Luis once again resurfaces this time not for fame but with the intention of making money from the canvas scene and being a real "ol school king".

He moved to Orlando during the real estate boom (got paid some good money from selling his house). In Orlando he wasn't doing anything so he decided hey what the heck! I'm gonna be a famous guy out here and get paid $$$$. So he opened a graff shop playing off his fame.

It was then that the "Real Stay High 149" resurfaced again. He panicked worrying about what he was gonna do so he concocted the bullshit story he was telling everyone that he was the original etc.

Long story this Idiot and Imbecile of a human being got busted, real writers kind of knew the truth but wasn't so sure, but eventually due to the appearance of the real Stay High 149 his game was up. His store in Orlando went belly up and he went broke. Lost everything and went back to Puerto Rico to live with his parents.

This guy is a disgrace to the graff game. I don't even know how he can show his face.

p.s. I know this prick personally and this is a true story. Homie think people in Puerto Rico are stupid too! He running that same story over there and trying to open another graff shop.

[EPMDfan]

OK I will tell you guys a true story right here right now. Luis is the fake StayHigh 149!
Back in the days when there was no photography internet etc. this guy went somewhere and seen a real "Stay High 149" tag downtown.

He figgured hey I'm gonna go to my block and "become" Stay High! So he did a few tags pieces around his way mimicking the real Stay High. Luis quit after a year or so and went on with his life.

The real Stay High disappears for 20 years or so, since he's missing Luis once again resurfaces this time not for fame but with the intention of making money from the canvas scene and being a real "ol school king".

He moved to Orlando during the real estate boom (got paid some good money from selling his house). In Orlando he wasn't doing anything so he decided hey what the heck! I'm gonna be a famous guy out here and get paid $$$$. So he opened a graff shop playing off his fame.

It was then that the "Real Stay High 149" resurfaced again. He panicked worrying about what he was gonna do so he concocted the bullshit story he was telling everyone that he was the original etc.

Long story this Idiot and Imbecile of a human being got busted, real writers kind of knew the truth but wasn't so sure, but eventually due to the appearance of the real Stay High 149 his game was up. His store in Orlando went belly up and he went broke. Lost everything and went back to Puerto Rico to live with his parents.

This guy is a disgrace to the graff game. I don't even know how he can show his face.

p.s. I know this prick personally and this is a true story. Homie think people in Puerto Rico are stupid too! He running that same story over there and trying to open another graff shop.

This brought a smile to my face... Fuck Luis and his false claims!!!! He should write Stay Fake 247 :mad:

[cheaappradas]

http://www.cheap-prada.com/ Online Sale Wholesale:Prada Shoes,Cheap Prada Shoes,Cheap Pradas,Prada Shoes,High Top Prada Sneakers,Cheap Prada Handbags,Prada Sunglass Wholesale.

[ChickenShit]

:):)

[MICO]

I started Writin' in Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn, NY. in 1970.

When my friends and I decided to go All City in 1971, Stay High "149"
was probably the most prolific Writer of the day, and I recall meeting
Wayne at the Writers Bench at the 149th St. subway station in the Bronx.

The SH 149 I met that day, and the SH 149 / "VOICE OF THE GHETTO"
that everyone knew was Wayne.

The SH 149 that I went hittin' with at the Kingston Avenue layup in Brooklyn,
was Wayne.

Nuff said. Ya dig?

MICO
http://micoaslatinpride.com/

[STYLEISKING]

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[STYLEISKING]

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[DIC3]

http://hiphopwired.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Roberts1-articleLarge.jpg

R.I.P, Stay High 149