Graffiti Elitism

[Newtype]

It seems to be something I encounter more and more as the time goes by. Graffiti has gone from being a modest form of expression and a punch in the face to the system to being basically a pissing contest between crews. It's sad in a way, but mostly it's just annoying to me.

For example, just the other day I was having a conversation with a long time friend of mine who recently (1-2 months ago) joined a crew. I didn't really have a problem with this seeing as it's really none of my business, but just how much being in a crew changes someone's view on graffiti was put into sharp perspective when I mentioned the fact that I was really getting into stenciling lately. The next thing I knew he was telling me how his crew doesn't consider stenciling graffiti, and I pretty much just wanted to knock him on his ass. I mean seriously? I'm a tagger. I do graffiti. Do you really think I give a shit if your crew considers what I do to be graffiti or not? I know it is.

Anyways, what is all of your opinions about elitism and how it's affecting the graffiti "culture"?

[Sanz.Esnesnon]

This is something that I have noticed as well, but I really wouldn't consider "graffiti elitism" as you put it, a recent development. We're graffiti writers, it's in our very nature level to be cocky and egotistic. We wander around at night writing our names on buses, bins, and city blocks, all in the name of art. That's the equivalent of Serena Williams shouting her name after every volley.

and in my opinion this narcissism is slightly important. It stops most of us (stress most of us) from putting up work that we think isn't up to par. It gives us the drive to go out night after night, without pay or appreciation, to put up work that we think people need to see.


I do agree that it's sad that all there is, is beef and strife between crews.
Imagine what we could accomplish if we could all collaborate...

[SALVO]

Its high school cliques dude.
Most of your graffiti heros are bunch of whiney little coke heads.

[Slushi]

Graffiti is lame.

[Hobs.416]

like salvo said, graffiti is now just another rich boy fad, who all get together, get 200 dollars from their parents, buy a bunch of markers and paint, and suck dick together, and call it a "crew" to sound like hard ass mother fuckers.

In general, i love crews, or groups of writers, because you can get more done in a night, and it's a lot more fun.

But I mean, if your getting up every day, and your tags are all around the city, why shouldn't you be cocky?

"It's not bragging if its true"-Mohammad Ali

[.HATESONE.]

every writer i have ever met has been a huge douche bag.every single one.and bs makes it 10 times worse.

[Syke1FTP]

alright theres a good difference between a graff crew and graff "gang" a crew should a group of writers that are friends that share the same view on graff and want to get together and bomb together....kinda help each other out and make sure that their styles progress...then theres the "gang" which is a group of TOYS once again TOYS that think theyre hard shit go around putting shitty tags everywhere looking for beef going over anyone and everything.....the only reason THEY stay together is so that when they go over someone and that guy finds out and comes to straighten things out they can hide behind their "gang" or crew

see what i mean....and in a way they are elitists cause they think that what they do is better then everyone else but it really isnt...graff elitists dont progress the art at all....they just take that shit backwards

[Syke1FTP]

every writer i have ever met has been a huge douche bag.every single one.and bs makes it 10 times worse.

im not a douchee =]

[Black Flag]

What are you are seeing has nothing to do with graff, but rather human nature. Whatever hobby or sport you are in to, there will always be people like this.

[Proper]

What are you are seeing has nothing to do with graff, but rather human nature. Whatever hobby or sport you are in to, there will always be people like this.

Quoted for the fucking truth.

[00-made-00]

I think most writers dont see stencils as graffiti because writers views of graffiti are different to everybody elses, i see graffiti as letters,e.g tags, throws, pieces. but the public sees graffiti as anything written or drawn somewhere it shouldnt be which is technically right,but graffiti isnt for the public its for other writers.

[FuckTheFame]

yo crews suck
like if your in a crew
and its beefin with another crew
even if you dont care about the beef
you like still feel a certain obligation to be down fer whatev
im so tired of angry people
just write on stuff
thats what graffs all about ya know
not "is this considered graffiti" or "i wonder if this is up to par with other writers"
just do it fer you man
and if that doesnt work...just start huffin paint

[weak0ner]

fuck you pay me.

[iThrow]

man just do your thing, who gives a shit about other crews crossing eachother and shit
as long as your putting in work it shouldnt matter since you do graff for you, not your friends

[BIGel]

99% of graffiti writers are huge fucking ego maniac elitists pricks. i love graffiti, i hate graffiti writers.

[wafflecakee]

i've met only but nice people through graffiti, i don't doubt that alot of writers are dicks, i guess i've just been lucky.

a//e

[STR-WHO]

every writer i have ever met has been a huge douche bag.every single one.and bs makes it 10 times worse.

you don't like BS? Get the fuck out

[SeapNSR]

in my city cunts paint like chrome throw ups once a week for a month and then they get a fucken massive ego and try start fights with cunts then they fall off the map cuz they get done once
but being in a crew is good cuz you get mob mentality and do more hard out shit and have more motivation to paint every night
graffiti or not everyones an asshole deal with it

[milfhunter]

graffiti writers are soem of the most arrogant concieted cocky motherfurckers ull ever meet so get used to it

and yea a lot of kids recently have been catching the bug due to ecko's vid game,and the manipulation of graffiti into mainstream so a rich little 14 year old kid sees this on the tv,clothign and is like trhats awesome ill try it get his buddys together and go out and tag everythig and anythign without the consent of the real *****s around and knowing the certain unwritten rules laid out in the game.

so as in teh words on mack tats cru
beat them *****s down take their paint and show em who runs shit

[theworks]

stenciling, seriously?