Interview by Rabies

Bombing Science: Last time I saw you, you were in Chicago painting at the Meeting of Styles. Can you tell me a little bit about the history of MOS and how that went?
King157: This year I got rained out. But I rocked my master blaster piece! 
BS: What are you currently working on (including art shows)?
King157: Hustling. I was painting and drawing my ass off. For one week, two dollars to my name. 
BS: What is the significance of the characters you paint?
King157: I just love to paint girls.

BS: Do you think graffiti will ever be recognized as an art movement rather than just a crime?
King157: No. Before I die, it would be cool to see that. 
BS: What’s the biggest misconception about you?
King157: That I’m quiet. Yes, that is true. 
BS: What is your favorite art gallery and why?
King157:  I’ve been to a lot of art shows. But, last month a new one opened up called 1 AM in Frisco. And the next gallery to show my works. 

BS: What places have you traveled to so far?
King157: Europe, Hawaii, and 17 states which are California; Seattle, Washington: Reno, Nevada; Boise, Idaho; Salt Lake City, Utah; Phoenix, Arizona; Butte, Montana; Denver, Colorado; Burque, New Mexico; Austin, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; St. Louis City, St. Louis; New York City, N.Y.; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami, Florida; B.C., Canada; Vancouver, Canada; Torreon, Mexico; Guadalajara, Mexico; Tiajuana, Mexico; Mexicali, Mexico; and Mexico City, Mexico.   
BS: What is your favorite city and why? Where would you like to go next?
King157: Hawaii, because it is beautiful. Frisco, Miami, Chicago, N.Y., and Burque. I would like to go back to Mexico and I would love to go to Brazil.

BS: What’s your greatest graffiti accomplishment to date?
King157: Good question, but you never know what I might do next. There is over a hundred good accomplishments. For example, when I was in Torreon, Mexico. Where they flew me out there and I had to judge a hundred crews. Each crew consisted of at least five writers. This was a highlight in my graffiti career because it was cool to be loved and respected. I signed over hundreds of t-shirts and black books. Toward the end of the day I was on the radio and t.v. There were these women from a college who did a documentary on me. There were many people around me with microphones, tape recorders and I also had a translator. The crazy part the translator told me was, “what am I known for?’ I told them I never want my words to be written in the wrong context. So I told them to pick anybody around and they’ll tell you what I’m known for. This is even the more crazy part of the story, they picked a women of older age that had nothing to do with graffiti, who was just walking by. I thought to myself and maybe even blurted it out, “Anybody but that lady.” So they asked her if she heard of me and she replied, “Si, El Rey de los Trens.” (“Yes, the King of the Trains.”) They reported followed up with another question and said, “how?” She said all the kids talk about him and look up to him. They also asked her if she saw any of my trains and she said, “yes, because everybody makes a big deal when they would see my trains.” At that moment inside I was excited because all the sacrifice and dedication to paint the most freights came into my mind. And that it’s just not graffiti writers who saw it but for all people who are seeing my work.   
BS: What movies are you featured in?
King157: I’m in some country videos, TLT, Rap videos. Some gang violence commercials. 

BS: Who are you listening to now? (music)
King157: I turned everything off to do this interview. But I was listening to my classical jams. Which are my dusties, best break beats of old hip-hop. 
BS: Who was your biggest influence?
King157: Music, hot women, food, painting, everything. My mom for teaching me to color. Tia Sandra for her hand styles. (Cholo, gangbanger letters). Mix 182 for showing me B-Boys and introducing me to my first love of graffiti. All of the old-school cartoons. New York city and all the writers that were in the “Subway Art Book” AKA “Graffiti Bible.” and the ones who didn’t make that book. 
BS: What does the 157 stand for?
King157: My daughters birthday and my kid’s number of letters in all three of their names. There is also a lot of other meanings for that.

BS: What is your advice for this generation? What is your advice for people just starting to write?
King157: Know your history. 1)Do not be a snitch. 2) never admit to anything. Just say, “no.” 3) Don’t boast your crime with your face on the internet of what you did. Know where you came from. Draw everybody. Paint just as much. Enjoy every minute. 
BS: How do you keep your skills sharp on a daily basis?
King157: I try to paint and draw but I have these two crazy, beautiful kids that keep my always on my toes. I’m on my toes. I got so many ideas, it’s hard to do any of them. Life’s too short. There isn’t enough time in one day. 
BS: What were you like in high school?
King157: 100% writer. Rack paint, and plot out missions. I also played soccer, which kept me in school and made me graduate. I miss playing soccer.

BS: If graffiti was legal would you still do it?
King157: I will always paint. Even when I’m an old man with a can. 
BS: What’s your favorite kind of paint/tool?
King157: All kinds. But, I will always pick Montana. Thanks to Neon and Jase. 
BS: Who would you like to see hitting hard again?
King157: Me. I miss me in action. The all-nighters, the end to ends. The whole cars, the freeway shots. I miss all of  that **it.  
BS: How do you feel about paying taxes?
King157: F*** taxes. 
BS: Where would someone contact you to do commissions?

King157: www.Myspace.com/TheRealKing157 or [email protected] 
BS: How do you like the interviewer?
King157:  Yes, I like the interviewer because she asks a few more different and new questions. 
Check out my work on myspace.com/therealking157
Where you can purchase original art and  t-shirts.

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