Interview Credit: Kasm78

Exclusive in depth interview with DLEYS. It pretty much talks about all walks of life for a writer! Don’t sleep on this quality interview!

K78: If you don’t mind, I’d like to just dive right in: How long have you been writing graffiti and what/who inspired you to start? 
 
Dleys:  Alright, let’s go in on this. I’ll go with 1994 as my official Rookie Year, but I did my fair share of getting up a prior nothing serious though. I had an eight year hibernation period from 02-10 while I was away in Idaho and Northern Japan (Tom Cruise, Last Samurai). The fascination with graffiti began at an early age. Beat Street, The Warriors and Breakin’ were on repeat at an early age. I recall going on family vacations and just looking out the car window for graffiti. So to be honest with you I’m going to have to go with Ramo from Beat Street as my first influential character.
 
K78: What crews do you represent? Tell us a little bit about IGMC and what’s it about. 
 
Dleys: So the only crew I’m reppin is IGM or Los Igmc’s. IGM begin at the end of 1995 with 4 friends Imaginations Gone Madd originally we wanted to be this mega crew. We started out reppin all elements of Hip Hop. Over the years people parted ways, people stayed around and people came back. Around 2010 is when we officially focused on the graffiti. This was a revitalization period as we began to get more structured. IGMC is based on a few principles: family, humility, respect and the grind. We are geographically separated but I would say that we operate as one unit. The rest of the rituals and rules will remain a secret. Kind of like the 1st rule of Fight Club.


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K78: I know in Europe letters are called “styles.” So, in your opinion, what’s a good style? Would you mind giving us a couple examples of other writers that you feel have a good style and why?
 
Dleys: Awww…man, you went there. Great question in my opinion a good style has to have a few things. Letter structure is key before all of the techniques and gimmicks I like when you can deconstruct style down to its skeleton and it can still boogie. My favorite style writers in no particular order are as follows: Can 2 due to his understanding of the alphabet and killer letter structure. Kasm 78 due to those out of this world letter connections. Goshe has one of the smoothest flows out there. Semor, for continuing to push the boundaries of style. Last but not least would be Slot this dude has that edgy aggressive style that always pleases my eyes.
K78: Having lived in Germany the past few years, what’s the difference between graffiti there than here in the United States? How have those differences affected how you paint? Does being an American and living in another country give you a different insight on graffiti as a culture? 
Dleys: This is a tough question to answer. In my opinion the German Writers are some of the most technical in the world. I can only relate it to a finely tuned automobile. Everything has a purpose, crisp, no drips (unless intentional) and clean. Technically I would say the German writers are pushing the boundaries at the moment. In the United States, I would say there is more emotion put into a piece– not every line is crisp, but more alive and more aggressive. I have embraced the grind since moving to Germany! I stepped up every aspect of my game from daily sketching, slaps, learning techniques and basically adjusting my approach to the game. Being one of the only resident American writers in Germany I feel that it takes a while longer to earn the trust of the writers. I have been fortunate enough to put some heads down in IGM here and I must say they are all family. 

K78: What’s your opinion on street art? Do you think that street art and graffiti art deserve the same amount of respect and level of exposure?
 
Dleys: Indifferent! Stay out of the halls. Stay out of the graff scene and no street art is the equivalent of a blue belt in Ju Jitsu they have a little bit of skills and talent. Graffiti Art has obtained a black belt in Ju Jitsu, dealing with everything that comes with being a writer:  being labeled a miscreant, bad weather and a list of a hundred more things. (I still feel I’m indifferent despite this long winded answer)  LOL.
K78: What kind of affect do you believe social sites like Facebook and Instagram have had on the graffiti culture? As a more OG graffiti writer/artist, do you believe that any of the fundamentals of writing graffiti have been lost? Do you think that any new fundamentals have emerged do to these sites? 
 
Dleys: Ha…Ha… Talk about that double edged sword! I believe social media can be beneficial for sure. Anybody can catch a buzz and make a name for them-selves. So, no longer are you forced to be from a major city or forced to know the right people e.g. Magazine, website, etc… for publicity. As far as fundamentals, man, a lot of things are lost I remember I used to bench Fr8s in the Arizona heat on a daily basis to see what was poppin’. I was forced to rock black books at events and establish relationships with writers and send flicks through the mail. Lagec and I came up in the game together 9th grade. (LOL) We had no one to push us or show us the ropes so we developed our own way of doing things. This is something I feel is missing with the ability to search any style on the Internet. Now for the other edge of the sword me and a few of the IGM heads have managed to grind on the Internet and market ourselves well establishing connections and relationships around the globe! That’s the positive for me with the social media buzz.
K78: What are your thoughts on the “internet grind?” What are your thoughts on the Instagram sticker craze? To me, it seems like there’s been a huge increase of sticker artists who claim to be graff writers. What’re thoughts on these types of artists? 
 
Dleys: The “internet grind” in some ways have leveled the playing field for all players, nullifying cities, crews and lots of biases. The key thing I believe is doing it the right way, if you get your fame off of some backyard boogie action don’t claim to be the king of this or the king of that. Basically know your role. The sticker craze! Man o man I send packages out I have no problem mailing stuff out. I’m not claiming to be the illest writer out but I don’t need packs back from everyone I send them out to. I guess it’s like an unwritten rule where you know if you should be sending stuff back. I have a book that I put my slaps in though. If it’s rubbish it goes with the rubbish though. I have been hip to the sticker game for a minute. When I think of stickers one name comes to my mind SERCH UTI from LA I met this cat back in 97 at a B-Boy Summit and his sticker game was off the charts then! Nobody is touching Serch in my opinion. So if  I could leave with a message about social media it would just be to know your role, be comfortable in your skin and don’t front!

K78: How much has your mentality changed over the years. Do you ever look back and say to yourself “What the hell was I thinking?” Is there anything you think that you would take back if you could? 
 
Dleys: Man, I must say I have always been that old soul– always meticulous and always pretty level-headed. Most of the dumb shit I did revolved around the Fr8 yard burning my spot but not knowing. Good example breaking into incense factories, going in the Budweiser layup and storing cases on my homies rooftop in 100 degree weather. From those two incidents I don’t drink beer to this day and incense kill my vibe. Most of my graffiti related take backs revolve around the crew. Letting in suspect cats into IGMC and fools reliving their glory by hanging onto some highlights or so called legacies they feel they contributed too. IGMC is something I hold in high regards with a big ass placaso going across my shin. The remedies to these problems have all been corrected with our secret society type entry– the rumored slumber party with Bigfoot, Chupacabra and Lagec. J/k shoutout to Lagec!
 
K78: I know that when you and I started writing graff you had to have some sort of ego to be a part of the culture; in your opinion, how has this changed? 
 
Dleys: Egos are like roaches bro, they are always around maybe under a rock, in the dark or a like/negative comment away. I think the egos of our time were a lot more obnoxious, we had those people who all you saw was there work. You never saw them just heard about that rep and ego they carried. Just like that black chick Skerd from the Modesto vicious on the streets! Egos aren’t essential but if you earned do as you please.

K78: Let’s discuss something a little less serious—if you could put together a dream team of graff writers for one single wall, who would it be? (I’m already on it so I don’t count as one of the five )
 
Dleys: Rektaal, Deom, Eighse, Lagec and Desor well basically anyone from the crew. I’m not going to list any crew members in this one. I’m at a point in my life where I don’t want to paint with dickheads! I’d rather paint with a lesser known writer who puts out the positive vibrations. So my response maybe tainted but here it goes(drumroll please).  So, for a single wall I’m choosing Semor, based on his Kurt Cobain type essence, killer energy and great styles. Next up, I’m choosing POUT based on his next level vision. Then, I’m going to take Lefts  for his versatility will compliment the entire wall. Then I’m grabbing Pixeljuice for his bugged out imagination and killer characters. Lastly, but definitely not least, I’m Mantra for his background and large scale character capabilities. This would make for an awesome wall. Thanks for this question that was fun!

K78: It seems that with the increase in the acceptance of street art and graffiti in the mainstream, there’s been a huge revitalization of writers from the 80’s and 90’s who’re coming out of the woodworks, but their styles haven’t changed since then. What are your thoughts on graffiti writers popping back up after being out of the game for 15-20 years and trying to re-build their careers off of what they used to do?
 
Dleys: Yes I see this all the time. I believe that if you want to make a comeback its all good because things at the moment definitely favor writers now then writers of the past. I’m all for the comeback but demanding respect from accolades of the past will only take you so far. I believe it’s important to continue to evolve if you want that new jack respect. I myself have painted over “legends” when others were afraid because a style that rocked in 1990 might not be what’s poppin’ in 2000 or even better 2015. Don’t get me wrong I’m all for respect, but there has to be some evolution if you want to remain relevant.

K78: Where can we see Dleys five years from now? 10 years? When does a writer actually stop writing?
 
Dleys: Five years from now I think I’ll be doing the same thing. Hopefully hosting some sort of European Style Jam in the States. In 10 years hopefully that jam will be going on and of course I’ll still be rocking. I really don’t ever see myself stopping a writer really doesn’t have a shelf life as long as they have continued to evolve and push their skills. If there is ever a point when I’m totally satisfied that’s when it’s time to hang it up.
K78: Do you mix different mediums or are you more of a purest?
 
Dleys: This will be my shortest answer in this interview purest all day. I’m still finding ways to challenge myself with paint and acrylics no need for a new medium at the moment.
K78: Wildstyle vs Funk? Thoughts?
 
Dleys: This is like choosing a favorite child. I appreciate both and try to incorporate a nice mixture of both in my styles. If I had to choose, I prefer a nice sexy wildstyle that has all the eye appealing features that excite me.(LOL) Structure, Fill-In, not to readable, just the right amount of technique and pleasing to look at. This is the recipe that I like.

K78: do you hope that your girls will get into graffiti? How would you handle the situation if one of them got caught-up?
 
Dleys: To be honest I would love for them to get into graff in Europe not so much in the States. I think the overall scene here is still so much more accepted and they would have less BS to get caught up in. The European mentality towards graff is like Night and Day compared to how it was for us coming up. So I would have some stipulations for sure. If they did get involved I would definitely be on some elder shit and show them the ropes.
K78: You’re a pretty level headed dude, he does Dleys handle beef?
 
Dleys: Beef, ha ha ha man beef at this level is handled on a way different tip. First off I’m a grown ass man so I like to not be surrounded by peeps that would invite the beef into my circle. If it does creep in it’s handled very respectfully and firmly. I’m not dishing out beatings or anything at the moment (LoL) I would hope to be able to talk to the individual and smooth it over. I guess a battle for some cans sounds fun at this stage of my life also just to keep it graff based. Now personal and family stuff is another story and we won’t go there.


 

K78: Any advice for the new generation coming up?
 
Dleys: Respect is paramount. Respect the art but also respect the person if they are an ass than they are an ass and don’t deserve your respect. Know your history and take time to learn it. The “Golden Rules” will go along way about going over peoples work. Not capping pieces, no side busting etc… Pay your dues if you are going to consider yourself a writer actually do some pieces/styles. Then once you have done that go forth and do characters if that’s what you choose but put some time in on the basics. I can ramble on forever with this question so let’s just stop here. I’m available for advice via social media. (LOL)
K78: What do you want people to remember as when you’re gone? What would you consider your legacy?
 
Dleys: Man just that I was a good human being. Did the right things and helped out my peoples on all levels graff, personal etc. At the end of the day if I’m missed based on what I did for my crew mates I’m good in the graff game.
K78: Any shout outs you’d like to give?
 
Dleys:  Shoutouts ….All my Los IGMC’s Eighse, Lagec, Dube, Skaer Toke, Trek, Sager, Balu, my lil bro Desor, Kasm and Deom for always being so honest. Rektaal for being a good homie. The whole IGMC we are truly a big family and I love the dynamics. Then all the people who I talk to on the regular and have built relationships with via social media or in person the list is too long. Final shout out to Lish (my wife) and The Girls for cutting me loose every weekend for half a day.

      @infamy_gets_made
IG: @kasm78

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