BH-THE BOYS STRAIGHT FROM CANARSIE BKLYN
Since my new baby boy and daughter keep me home most of the time at night, I am meeting more fresh people online and less in openings downtown… I guess it’s better for my health…
I met Mike aka BH few days ago on the world wide web. BH-THE BOYS grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn in the 70’s. As he claimed himself he was a small-time writer. He was friends with KADO-TB-CIA and knew SARO from the neighborhood. BH crew was THE BOYS, the only one he wanted to put up. His main influences were HATE168 (TB founder), and the TOP crew (HURST, JEE2, FA, OI, IN) on the BMT-L train. SARO put him in TB in 1980 but he didn’t carry it to his standards. Unfortunately he was arrested early in his career and had to be a bit more careful. He hit mainly insides and some throw-ups at the L yard at Rockaway Parkway and the M yard at Fresh Pond rd. When SARO put him in TB, he and most of TB were retired already. SMAC came back for a while, but we never bombed together. Mike says “I used to see KADO at clubs and invite him to the yards - my treat on paint - he didn’t take me up on it. I wrote mainly with CAM, DECK , and CRAZY COKE (CK). Like BH said, “I was a small-time writer but a big-time fan of the art.” Since then, he has hooked up a many people with photos from back in the day they didn’t have, like LED, KR-one MAFIA TSS and ZEPHYR to name a few.
Mike was maybe a small time writer but his photo collection has nothing small. BH has hundreds of photos of trains and walls. Some might not be the best quality, but they are archives of an amazing time that many writer’s mom often trashed… I was really excited to see classic trains shot from a non professional photographer. The crappy quality of the print somehow make it more real… Enjoy! More to come from BH soon..
The boy itself...Done in 1981 in JHS 211 alley in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Note the rusto with the scottish guy !!!
Blade. A whole car after 2 years.
Two legends on one train. Style Master DONDI and KID 56 - IRT action. Early 80’s
Duster. Photo taken at E 177th street - Parkchester Ave station , Bronx NY
Fome TC5. Taken at Rockaway Parkway. The train was parked in the L yard.
Jester. Photo taken at E 177th street - Parkchester Ave station , Bronx NY .
MIN. Photo taken in the Bronx. Believe to be at Gun Hill Rd. Note the Martha cooper shoot out on the right bottom.
The one and only Mitch.
Classic Lee piece in a Lower East Side Handball court early 80’s.
Large Lee piece. L.E.S. Early 80’s
Scaffold project done in the early 80’s in Manhattan by Zephyr, Futura and Haze.
TRACY 168 - MARTHA UNISEX. BH happened to drive by this hair salon by accident and had his camera on him… Good one!
ALL PHOTOS © BH-THE BOYS
Posted on June 23, 2008 at 02:19 PM | Comment (10 comments) | Digg
The 14th of next month will 5 years since the summer 2003 black out happened. At the time I was working around 36th street and we were listening to “fight the power” from Public Enemy when the power when off all around the city. Within an hour we heard that it would take hours or days to put it back together… Within 3 hours, all the cellphones and other communication devices were gone. So me and few friends started to walk downtown towards the Williamsburg Bridge to go back to Brooklyn. The city was so quiet… It was a great feeling… It was about a hundred degrees and people where fighting for water. No more car were allowed to circulate in order to let the cops and fire fighters to do their jobs. It took me about 3 hours to go home and by the time I arrived, the brooklyn’s streets were pitch black like I have never seen before… Good memories… Look forward for the next one....
Posted on June 20, 2008 at 09:25 AM | Comment (8 comments) | Digg
I can finally go back to my family life after 3 month of brainwashing play offs for my wife and my nerves ... Big up to my wife and Paul Pierce!
Photos courtesy of NBA®
Posted on June 19, 2008 at 06:07 AM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
RIDIN’ DIRTY AKA 6TH AVENUE SCI-FI
This poor old man jay walked at the speed of light on 6th avenue with his spaceship (cane attached on it!!!!!) and got busted by a cop. The cop got off his space shuttle and gave an intergalactic ticket to the human screaming at him. Happy ending no ray gun fired.
Posted on June 17, 2008 at 09:03 AM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
NY SUBWAY JIGSAW PUZZLE CIRCA 1971
I found this jigsaw puzzle for $3 on a stoop sale in BK… Nice for the kids… Not one missing piece.
Posted on June 16, 2008 at 12:06 PM | Comment (1 comments) | Digg
Wednesday I went for 2 hours in Philly for a meeting. After the biz, we walked 20 blocks with my boys to get a Philly Cheese Steak at the notorious Jim’s Steaks. This visit was too short but the sandwich and the graffiti made my 2 hours great. On those 20 blocks, I discovered the local hand style and I was amazed how unique it was. With way less “out of towners”, the Philly style remains special and preserved. It has the same kind of personality as Pixação from Sao Paulo in Brazil. To the Philly Heads reading this post… Don’t hate if I didn’t show the right stuff...Those photos are just my observation on a few blocks…
Posted on June 13, 2008 at 03:57 PM | Comment (3 comments) | Digg
THE MEDIA LOVES GRAFFITI STORIES
2 interesting articles sent to me by my friend Handselecta for the graff heads and all the peeps who wants to learn more about where our taxes go in New York and how advertising firm are the biggest vandals.
NYPD “special force” full article
Ad agency thugs full article
Posted on June 11, 2008 at 06:31 AM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
The last few days has been crazy blazing hot.... People have been looking for some refreshments.
Posted on June 10, 2008 at 07:10 AM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
HANNES ISAKSSON’S NY GANGSTERS CASE STUDY
While surfing the big web, I bumped into an amazing artist from Sweden. His name is Hannes Isaksson and he is a bad ass illustrator. His naive style is hard to compete against… I contacted him to get a little bit more information about him and his fascination for the New York most notorious gangsters. Here is what Hannes has to say:
Think it was in 2005 after I had seen Paid In Full, that I read the FEDS article about Alpo, Rich and Azie. I found it incredible that it was actually based on a true story. So that got me a little curious of the American crack era. After that I started reading about The Supreme Team, cause of the whole Murder Inc/Supreme thing. And the more I read about it the more the more fascinating it got; lookouts with walkie talkies on rooftops, embroided Supreme Team jackets, assault teams armed with machine guns, the way they dressed, that they had names like Robo justice, Prince, Divine, Black Just. I actually made board game about the drug trade in Jamaica Queens. By that time i was pretty much obsessed with drug crews and kingpins. I find their life stories beyond compelling, even though they’re kind of similar. They start to hustle, they come up in the game, live like kings for a couple of years and then they go to jail for the rest of their lifes or get killed. I think most people can relate to that, the wish to become someone, even if it means spending the rest of your life in jail. I can anyhow.
Here is Hannes’s Bio:
Born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden.
Attended Stockholm Art School in 2003, went to Nyckelviken School of Arts 2004.
And in 2005 i enrolled at Idun Loven art school wich I graduated from in 2007.
Right now Im part of the Detroit Stockholm art collective and last year I released a book/magazine called “Aint no Uzis made in Harlem” on Cederteg Publishing
Posted on June 09, 2008 at 08:05 AM | Comment (9 comments) | Digg
Tonight the NBA final starts. If you like basketball you have to watch this series. Whatever team you support it’s gonna be great ball game. The rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics has been on for decades.Nothing since the Jordan era has been as hot as this final...Go Pierce!
Posted on June 05, 2008 at 05:50 PM | Comment (2 comments) | Digg
As much as I can’t vote, I am so excited to live this really amazing moment in the history of the USA. The race for the White House is on with the first African American. I have been watching the election tonight on TV and Mc Cain speech was a pathetic plain gerontocratic statement. I believe this election will be more about generation than race. To all my friends who can vote, please go vote when it’s time to do so and don’t tell me what I heard way too many time: “my vote won’t change anything. This is bullshit… You have to make room for something new and inspiring for all the communities of this country and all the young kids out there that need free education. So vote for me please!!! Vote for Obama!
Posted on June 03, 2008 at 08:19 PM | Comment (1 comments) | Digg
GROTESK vs SIXPACK NEW SEASON’S PREVIEW
Here is a little preview at what you will be able to get next week at the SIXPACK online store. This is one of my favorite design I have done so far.
More to come in the next few weeks…
Posted on June 02, 2008 at 07:48 AM | Comment (2 comments) | Digg
Mr Kaves from Lordz of Brooklyn passed by the office to pick up some promo material. We invited to put his mark on our staircase. Always super nice to hang out with a larger than life Brooklinite.
Posted on June 01, 2008 at 07:31 AM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
GROTESK CHOKED & PUNCHED BY UFC ALL STARS
We got the surprised visit in the building of some big UFC fighters. I ran my mouth and got choked and punched in the same time by Matt Hughes and Robbie Lawler
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 04:10 PM | Comment (4 comments) | Digg
This is a shot from my friend’s rooftop I did in Williamsburg in 99 when they was still a lot of wild parties, affordable large rentals and almost no “Luxury” condos… Can’t wait to see some writers hitting all those new nasty building with some large blocky letters,
Posted on May 29, 2008 at 09:01 AM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
ANTHONY & LINDSEY LOVE LINDSEY & ANTHONY
Classic New York airbrush Love at 14th Street.
Posted on May 27, 2008 at 06:11 AM | Comment (2 comments) | Digg
I found this video diggin’ in youtube and I always liked Skeme’s style from way back when I was still in Europe. It’s amazing how Skeme and his Mom still have the same conversation and body language 25 years after their part in Style Wars. Nice to hear him talking about his memories.
Posted on May 23, 2008 at 08:30 PM | Comment (3 comments) | Digg
My favorite magazine is calling it a quit after +10 years in Business. Mass Appeal home of amazing articles about graffiti, street life, fashion, music, ode jobs,etc.. is closing. Fellow bloggers Reas and Sp One contribute to some of my favorite magazine cover ever and my buddies at Alife art directed it for a while with dope articles, photo shoots and covers. (The Lee and Earsnot covers are classic material). I had a chance to work with them as well in 2001 on a 10 pages story. R.I.P Mass Appeal. We will really miss you. Adrian, thanks again for your passion! Good luck with everything! More in Folio Magazine.
Posted on May 22, 2008 at 09:01 PM | Comment (5 comments) | Digg
MARE 139!!!! LIVE ACTION SUBWAY SHOT!!!! (EXCLUSIVE)!!!!
I didn’t lie....
Posted on May 22, 2008 at 12:46 PM | Comment (1 comments) | Digg
JAM OF THE NIGHT: GOLDIE INNER CITY LIFE
This song had a huge impact on me when it came out… Still classic for dark mood moments.
Posted on May 21, 2008 at 10:06 PM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
This dude is probably not the killer he pretends to be but the back of his jacket is amazing.
Posted on May 20, 2008 at 12:19 PM | Comment (3 comments) | Digg
HAROLD HUNTER DAY II PHOTO REPORT
The Harold Hunter day II ended up being a major success and great day to remember the late HH. Harold sent us the sun for the skate jam under the Manhattan bridge.It was good to see everybody unified to celebrate the intense life of a New York Legend. It would be too long to make the list of who showed up to skate, party and represent. All I can say is that Pete Rock killed it in the afternoon with a set of 4 hours (instead of the hour planned.) and that the skating was hard. The party at KCDC ended in the early morning after a lot of skating and drinking. REST IN PEACE HAROLD… I am sure you would have loved it!
More flicks on my Flickr page
Manhattan Skate Park Arches
The Soul Brother Number One aka Pete Rock
Fixed in Time…
5 Boro Fan.
Reppin’ HH
Newly Engaged Sam and Will… Congrats!!!!
Dad and Daughter reppin’ SHUT.
KCDC Party in full effect
My boy Tester One Killed the bathroom for the event.
Yep, Trends are shifting to slim fit…
Posted on May 19, 2008 at 04:21 PM | Comment (4 comments) | Digg
HAROLD HUNTER DAY! MAY 17th 2008
If you like skate board and you are in New York tomorrow, YOU HAVE TO COME to the Harold Hunter Day II. Harold who passed away 2 years ago is still strongly present in our memories and will never be forgotten. Come celebrate with us his life, happiness and legacy with a massive skate jam. Where? The Manhattan Bridge Skate park in Manhattan. Pete Rock, Vinny Ponte and Neil Nice will rock the crowd from 12 to 6 pm. The entire Zoo Crew came in town to pay homage and skate for the double H. After Party at KCDC skate shop from 8pm to Midnight. A limited edition HH skateboard, tee shirt and Book will be available for sale at the after party. Portion of the sales will go to the Harold Hunter Foundation. LEGENDS NEVER DIE!!!!!
Posted on May 16, 2008 at 12:18 PM | Comment (0 comments) | Digg
MUHAMMAD ALI & HIS GANG VS. MR. TOOTH DECAY
Don’t mess with Ali and his gang…
Posted on May 15, 2008 at 02:15 PM | Comment (2 comments) | Digg
A few weeks ago I reconnected trough email with my friend Dez from Geneva, Switzerland. Dez is one of those dude that I really admired and respect as a teen. He was the first dude I saw wearing Stussy in Switzerland when I had no clue what street wear really was 15-20 years ago. He made me want to do design, do art, music,etc… He has been part of the creative scene in Geneva for a long time and is always one step ahead of the mass. His swiss design company Schonherwehrs is designing for clients such as Mental Groove Rec. and the Contemporary Art Center of Geneva. Dez added a new piece to his portfolio: Dope Bikes. With 2 friends from Zurich they started Gorillia Bicycles and are building top of the top bikes with frames made in Italy. I am not an expert in bikes but from what I heard in NY and knowing Dez, that shit ain’t no joke. Check their website and enjoy the pictures.
Barry Forde is racing for Gorilla, maybe on his way to the Olympics with his black pearl GOrilla bike.
Wälde, grand styler and Zurich freestyler on the Zengang bike...He is also the dude putting all the bikes together like swiss watches.
Thomas with his course Canary GOrilla is the living Encyclopedia of Italian bikes history and the business man of the trio.
Here is my boy Dez showing how light are their bikes… 8-9 kg !!!
The Trio behind GOrillia.
GOrillia is looking for a legit fixed gear/ freestyler in New York City to rep the brand. Uncle Gueeze, hook me up!
Posted on May 14, 2008 at 09:04 PM | Comment (3 comments) | Digg
