what’s up y’all I’m going to start off with a song now you got to excuse me
with a song now you got to excuse me
with a song now you got to excuse me because my singing voice is horrible so
because my singing voice is horrible so
because my singing voice is horrible so don’t judge me so this is a song about
don’t judge me so this is a song about
don’t judge me so this is a song about colors colors you see them all around
colors colors you see them all around
colors colors you see them all around red on the stop sign green on the tree
red on the stop sign green on the tree
red on the stop sign green on the tree blue in the sky in the sea I learned
blue in the sky in the sea I learned
blue in the sky in the sea I learned that song in kindergarten and it was my
that song in kindergarten and it was my
that song in kindergarten and it was my first introduction to the world of color
first introduction to the world of color
first introduction to the world of color prior to that I was you know regular kid
prior to that I was you know regular kid
prior to that I was you know regular kid drawing images of like spider-man
drawing images of like spider-man
drawing images of like spider-man Superman and um I didn’t know really
Superman and um I didn’t know really
Superman and um I didn’t know really anything about colors and to that song
anything about colors and to that song
anything about colors and to that song so it started me noticing colors in my
so it started me noticing colors in my
so it started me noticing colors in my environment you know notice of how
environment you know notice of how
environment you know notice of how colors got put together and even at that
colors got put together and even at that
colors got put together and even at that young of age you know I was fully
young of age you know I was fully
young of age you know I was fully immersed in the arts anytime arts will
immersed in the arts anytime arts will
immersed in the arts anytime arts will come up in school I was the first one
come up in school I was the first one
come up in school I was the first one there in art class you know even if my
there in art class you know even if my
there in art class you know even if my other subjects were not I wasn’t doing
other subjects were not I wasn’t doing
other subjects were not I wasn’t doing the best art was always the one subject
the best art was always the one subject
the best art was always the one subject that I would completely immerse myself
that I would completely immerse myself
that I would completely immerse myself in you know coming up in the 80s during
in you know coming up in the 80s during
in you know coming up in the 80s during the crack era there were a lot of color
the crack era there were a lot of color
the crack era there were a lot of color it’s mainly from the crack vials but as
it’s mainly from the crack vials but as
it’s mainly from the crack vials but as a kid you know I would see the crack
a kid you know I would see the crack
a kid you know I would see the crack vials line up and down the block red
vials line up and down the block red
vials line up and down the block red tops blue tops yellow tops and I will
tops blue tops yellow tops and I will
tops blue tops yellow tops and I will look at these colors it’s like wow
look at these colors it’s like wow
look at these colors it’s like wow obviously being such a young kid 7 8
obviously being such a young kid 7 8
obviously being such a young kid 7 8 years old I’m not really understanding
years old I’m not really understanding
years old I’m not really understanding the effect of what those colors
the effect of what those colors
the effect of what those colors represent so for me it was like alright
represent so for me it was like alright
represent so for me it was like alright you know what
you know what
you know what the environment I’m in I have to figure
the environment I’m in I have to figure
the environment I’m in I have to figure out a way to survive because as I grew
out a way to survive because as I grew
out a way to survive because as I grew older and certain things become over
older and certain things become over
older and certain things become over realization you realize that you need a
realization you realize that you need a
realization you realize that you need a creative outlet to continue in that type
creative outlet to continue in that type
creative outlet to continue in that type of world you know the thing with me is
of world you know the thing with me is
of world you know the thing with me is that art has always been my center even
that art has always been my center even
that art has always been my center even at a time that I didn’t even realize it
at a time that I didn’t even realize it
at a time that I didn’t even realize it you know if I fast forward to high
you know if I fast forward to high
you know if I fast forward to high school you know I didn’t really have
school you know I didn’t really have
school you know I didn’t really have confident in the colors I would enter
confident in the colors I would enter
confident in the colors I would enter art contests and realize the color of my
art contests and realize the color of my
art contests and realize the color of my skin is what prevented me from when it’s
skin is what prevented me from when it’s
skin is what prevented me from when it’s are in competitions because the judges
are in competitions because the judges
are in competitions because the judges didn’t believe I did the artwork 17 18
didn’t believe I did the artwork 17 18
didn’t believe I did the artwork 17 18 years old at this point and I’m like wow
years old at this point and I’m like wow
years old at this point and I’m like wow am I being put through all this because
am I being put through all this because
am I being put through all this because people don’t realize that I’m actually
people don’t realize that I’m actually
people don’t realize that I’m actually doing a work that they’re saying I
doing a work that they’re saying I
doing a work that they’re saying I shouldn’t have
shouldn’t have
shouldn’t have the capability of doing because of where
the capability of doing because of where
the capability of doing because of where I come from the color of my skin in a in
I come from the color of my skin in a in
I come from the color of my skin in a in my economic situations
my economic situations
my economic situations fast forward to college right so I’m in
fast forward to college right so I’m in
fast forward to college right so I’m in college you know I got a partial
college you know I got a partial
college you know I got a partial scholarship TCNJ fine art major and I’m
scholarship TCNJ fine art major and I’m
scholarship TCNJ fine art major and I’m taking this class called color theory in
taking this class called color theory in
taking this class called color theory in practice and I’m looking at how this is
practice and I’m looking at how this is
practice and I’m looking at how this is cool class they showed me a color will I
cool class they showed me a color will I
cool class they showed me a color will I never seen a color world before that
never seen a color world before that
never seen a color world before that point and I’m noticing like okay
point and I’m noticing like okay
point and I’m noticing like okay complementary colors and now like these
complementary colors and now like these
complementary colors and now like these colors and they’ve shown me these
colors and they’ve shown me these
colors and they’ve shown me these different things
different things
different things okay complementary colors orange and
okay complementary colors orange and
okay complementary colors orange and blue oh that’s the colors I’ve been
blue oh that’s the colors I’ve been
blue oh that’s the colors I’ve been using because I watched in New York
using because I watched in New York
using because I watched in New York Knicks orange blue you know now like
Knicks orange blue you know now like
Knicks orange blue you know now like this color is red and orange wait that’s
this color is red and orange wait that’s
this color is red and orange wait that’s the old Atlanta Hawks Jersey colors I
the old Atlanta Hawks Jersey colors I
the old Atlanta Hawks Jersey colors I have been putting these colors together
have been putting these colors together
have been putting these colors together the entire time based on the sports that
the entire time based on the sports that
the entire time based on the sports that I will watch because my goal was to play
I will watch because my goal was to play
I will watch because my goal was to play football you know I was a big kid but I
football you know I was a big kid but I
football you know I was a big kid but I was fast 15 years old you know I got hit
was fast 15 years old you know I got hit
was fast 15 years old you know I got hit by a car that wasn’t happening I did a
by a car that wasn’t happening I did a
by a car that wasn’t happening I did a cartwheel it aired out with a maid Gabby
cartwheel it aired out with a maid Gabby
cartwheel it aired out with a maid Gabby Douglas blush you know so from there you
Douglas blush you know so from there you
Douglas blush you know so from there you know everything for me was comics you
know everything for me was comics you
know everything for me was comics you know comics graffiti art that was my
know comics graffiti art that was my
know comics graffiti art that was my passion because that was what was around
passion because that was what was around
passion because that was what was around me so looking at this color wheel you
me so looking at this color wheel you
me so looking at this color wheel you know realizing that this is something
know realizing that this is something
know realizing that this is something that I had already knew but again just
that I had already knew but again just
that I had already knew but again just didn’t have the confidence in so you
didn’t have the confidence in so you
didn’t have the confidence in so you know you fast forward through college I
know you fast forward through college I
know you fast forward through college I found out on my senior that I’m having a
found out on my senior that I’m having a
found out on my senior that I’m having a daughter Wow holy what am I gonna
daughter Wow holy what am I gonna
daughter Wow holy what am I gonna do
do
do I’m 22 23 years old I don’t even know
I’m 22 23 years old I don’t even know
I’m 22 23 years old I don’t even know what life really is yet and I’m about to
what life really is yet and I’m about to
what life really is yet and I’m about to bring a child into this world so on the
bring a child into this world so on the
bring a child into this world so on the eve of my daughter’s birth her mother
eve of my daughter’s birth her mother
eve of my daughter’s birth her mother complained about you know she didn’t
complained about you know she didn’t
complained about you know she didn’t feel Sierra which is my daughter’s name
feel Sierra which is my daughter’s name
feel Sierra which is my daughter’s name she did feel Sierra moving so Sierra was
she did feel Sierra moving so Sierra was
she did feel Sierra moving so Sierra was born that morning she was her mother was
born that morning she was her mother was
born that morning she was her mother was going to be induced by Sierra came
going to be induced by Sierra came
going to be induced by Sierra came naturally I’m mourning anyway and she
naturally I’m mourning anyway and she
naturally I’m mourning anyway and she was bright purple you know like a
was bright purple you know like a
was bright purple you know like a lavender purple because her mother
lavender purple because her mother
lavender purple because her mother wasn’t getting any oxygen in her
wasn’t getting any oxygen in her
wasn’t getting any oxygen in her placenta Sierra was fine though she had
placenta Sierra was fine though she had
placenta Sierra was fine though she had no health issues or anything other than
no health issues or anything other than
no health issues or anything other than severely dry skin which after a few
severely dry skin which after a few
severely dry skin which after a few months dissipated well my daughter was
months dissipated well my daughter was
months dissipated well my daughter was born was when I realized that I got
born was when I realized that I got
born was when I realized that I got started taking this seriously you know
started taking this seriously you know
started taking this seriously you know prior to that I just hustled I knew I
prior to that I just hustled I knew I
prior to that I just hustled I knew I was good at what I do
was good at what I do
was good at what I do I got from college I was you know that’s
I got from college I was you know that’s
I got from college I was you know that’s how I got the name Picasso Picasso
how I got the name Picasso Picasso
how I got the name Picasso Picasso Luciano I’ll do you came to get your art
Luciano I’ll do you came to get your art
Luciano I’ll do you came to get your art homework done you know so I guarantee
homework done you know so I guarantee
homework done you know so I guarantee nothing less to the B+ knew I was
nothing less to the B+ knew I was
nothing less to the B+ knew I was talented but I wasn’t disciplined my
talented but I wasn’t disciplined my
talented but I wasn’t disciplined my daughter brought that discipline you
daughter brought that discipline you
daughter brought that discipline you know I like I’d rather have her see me
know I like I’d rather have her see me
know I like I’d rather have her see me struggle at something I love then settle
struggle at something I love then settle
struggle at something I love then settle for something not he years so after
for something not he years so after
for something not he years so after she’s born I quit my job walk out mid
she’s born I quit my job walk out mid
she’s born I quit my job walk out mid shift I used to work security at Merrill
shift I used to work security at Merrill
shift I used to work security at Merrill Lynch I worked security at night
Lynch I worked security at night
Lynch I worked security at night part-time job during day work three kids
part-time job during day work three kids
part-time job during day work three kids walked out my job sitting at home what
walked out my job sitting at home what
walked out my job sitting at home what I’m gonna do I’m gonna airbrush I make
I’m gonna do I’m gonna airbrush I make
I’m gonna do I’m gonna airbrush I make good money airbrushing and I did I could
good money airbrushing and I did I could
good money airbrushing and I did I could make a grand today doing it wanna
make a grand today doing it wanna
make a grand today doing it wanna register in my own business like why I’m
register in my own business like why I’m
register in my own business like why I’m successful within a year most of my
successful within a year most of my
successful within a year most of my clientele is gangs all right so I’m like
clientele is gangs all right so I’m like
clientele is gangs all right so I’m like wow colors you know red red for the
wow colors you know red red for the
wow colors you know red red for the blood blue for the Crips or yellow I’m
blood blue for the Crips or yellow I’m
blood blue for the Crips or yellow I’m sorry yellow and black for the Latin
sorry yellow and black for the Latin
sorry yellow and black for the Latin Kings or yellow and go using all these
Kings or yellow and go using all these
Kings or yellow and go using all these colors again but now promoting a
colors again but now promoting a
colors again but now promoting a lifestyle that I’m not really – you know
lifestyle that I’m not really – you know
lifestyle that I’m not really – you know I’m feeling some type of way about
I’m feeling some type of way about
I’m feeling some type of way about because I’m working with kids but at the
because I’m working with kids but at the
because I’m working with kids but at the same time I promoting this lifestyle
same time I promoting this lifestyle
same time I promoting this lifestyle that centers around death Brown this
that centers around death Brown this
that centers around death Brown this time I got back into the graffiti scene
time I got back into the graffiti scene
time I got back into the graffiti scene that was my therapy at 26 years old I
that was my therapy at 26 years old I
that was my therapy at 26 years old I had my daughter but I also had full
had my daughter but I also had full
had my daughter but I also had full custody of my niece and nephew so I had
custody of my niece and nephew so I had
custody of my niece and nephew so I had a lot of responsibility and from there
a lot of responsibility and from there
a lot of responsibility and from there graffiti was my solace going out in
graffiti was my solace going out in
graffiti was my solace going out in middle of night doing these walls
middle of night doing these walls
middle of night doing these walls tagging bomb and tagging these the
tagging bomb and tagging these the
tagging bomb and tagging these the signature bombing is when you do like
signature bombing is when you do like
signature bombing is when you do like the big bubble there is but you’re
the big bubble there is but you’re
the big bubble there is but you’re trying to destroy it as much as possible
trying to destroy it as much as possible
trying to destroy it as much as possible all right my first crew is called MDS
all right my first crew is called MDS
all right my first crew is called MDS must destroy we were in a round
must destroy we were in a round
must destroy we were in a round tagging of everything right now module
tagging of everything right now module
tagging of everything right now module at this time I’m already in my 20s but
at this time I’m already in my 20s but
at this time I’m already in my 20s but again I got so much responsibility it
again I got so much responsibility it
again I got so much responsibility it was mine it was my therapy I got tired
was mine it was my therapy I got tired
was mine it was my therapy I got tired after a while of painting that night you
after a while of painting that night you
after a while of painting that night you know run it from the cops duck you know
know run it from the cops duck you know
know run it from the cops duck you know all this like man I’m good I want to do
all this like man I’m good I want to do
all this like man I’m good I want to do this in broad daylight trend is polluted
this in broad daylight trend is polluted
this in broad daylight trend is polluted with abandoned buildings dilapidated
with abandoned buildings dilapidated
with abandoned buildings dilapidated property I’m just gonna go and take it
property I’m just gonna go and take it
property I’m just gonna go and take it you know told my crew vicious styles
you know told my crew vicious styles
you know told my crew vicious styles crew yo let’s just take these laws
crew yo let’s just take these laws
crew yo let’s just take these laws Castle man you crazy as hell
Castle man you crazy as hell
Castle man you crazy as hell ain’t no way in hell we gonna go out
ain’t no way in hell we gonna go out
ain’t no way in hell we gonna go out here and broad daylight and start paying
here and broad daylight and start paying
here and broad daylight and start paying graffiti you nuts
graffiti you nuts
graffiti you nuts all right so I did it myself I can’t ask
all right so I did it myself I can’t ask
all right so I did it myself I can’t ask somebody do something if I’m not willing
somebody do something if I’m not willing
somebody do something if I’m not willing to do it first mirror I took in broad
to do it first mirror I took in broad
to do it first mirror I took in broad daylight was
daylight was
daylight was I paint the image of God on the wall
I paint the image of God on the wall
I paint the image of God on the wall who’s gonna arrest me for pinging Gandhi
who’s gonna arrest me for pinging Gandhi
who’s gonna arrest me for pinging Gandhi right so I was like you know what I
right so I was like you know what I
right so I was like you know what I gotta make this happen so the cops
gotta make this happen so the cops
gotta make this happen so the cops rolled up on me three times as I was
rolled up on me three times as I was
rolled up on me three times as I was painting and each time they were just
painting and each time they were just
painting and each time they were just curious do you have permission you’re
curious do you have permission you’re
curious do you have permission you’re painting without permission
painting without permission
painting without permission yeah I had my boy you knows filming the
yeah I had my boy you knows filming the
yeah I had my boy you knows filming the whole time you know offense so it’s like
whole time you know offense so it’s like
whole time you know offense so it’s like yeah we had a team you know it’s like we
yeah we had a team you know it’s like we
yeah we had a team you know it’s like we recorded this the whole night and it was
recorded this the whole night and it was
recorded this the whole night and it was like yeah this is I got away with it I
like yeah this is I got away with it I
like yeah this is I got away with it I did it but I want to do more you know
did it but I want to do more you know
did it but I want to do more you know cuz graffiti is addictive so I hit up a
cuz graffiti is addictive so I hit up a
cuz graffiti is addictive so I hit up a friend of mine by name of loved one
friend of mine by name of loved one
friend of mine by name of loved one who’s another Street graffiti artist and
who’s another Street graffiti artist and
who’s another Street graffiti artist and he came up to me he was like a
he came up to me he was like a
he came up to me he was like a stewardess altogether told him about you
stewardess altogether told him about you
stewardess altogether told him about you know the ideas like you know I got this
know the ideas like you know I got this
know the ideas like you know I got this legal war whatever whatever love as a
legal war whatever whatever love as a
legal war whatever whatever love as a white guy loved you know being a
white guy loved you know being a
white guy loved you know being a neighbor it was that we painting in love
neighbor it was that we painting in love
neighbor it was that we painting in love was a she kept the P kept the cops away
was a she kept the P kept the cops away
was a she kept the P kept the cops away I kept the hood off a hill so was this
I kept the hood off a hill so was this
I kept the hood off a hill so was this balance you know I was like he was the
balance you know I was like he was the
balance you know I was like he was the first person put down with sage and
first person put down with sage and
first person put down with sage and state and sage stands for Styles
state and sage stands for Styles
state and sage stands for Styles advancing graffitis evolution using
advancing graffitis evolution using
advancing graffitis evolution using graffiti methods to rebuild
graffiti methods to rebuild
graffiti methods to rebuild neighborhoods instead of destroying them
neighborhoods instead of destroying them
neighborhoods instead of destroying them it took a few years to get that concept
it took a few years to get that concept
it took a few years to get that concept to burn into people’s minds and it
to burn into people’s minds and it
to burn into people’s minds and it mainly came from the way we promote
mainly came from the way we promote
mainly came from the way we promote ourselves we would do a video off of
ourselves we would do a video off of
ourselves we would do a video off of each wall you know we will do our best
each wall you know we will do our best
each wall you know we will do our best to get people engaged in the process so
to get people engaged in the process so
to get people engaged in the process so instead of hiding under the veil of
instead of hiding under the veil of
instead of hiding under the veil of night in pitch blackness under Canal
night in pitch blackness under Canal
night in pitch blackness under Canal paths and abandoned buildings we were on
paths and abandoned buildings we were on
paths and abandoned buildings we were on Front Street I bring out a boom box and
Front Street I bring out a boom box and
Front Street I bring out a boom box and play music loud as hell to draw as much
play music loud as hell to draw as much
play music loud as hell to draw as much attention to me as possible because the
attention to me as possible because the
attention to me as possible because the more attention I brought to me
more attention I brought to me
more attention I brought to me intentionally the less likely look like
intentionally the less likely look like
intentionally the less likely look like I was doing something illegal I will
I was doing something illegal I will
I was doing something illegal I will keep paintbrushes in my back pocket
keep paintbrushes in my back pocket
keep paintbrushes in my back pocket because the cops seen you with
because the cops seen you with
because the cops seen you with paintbrushes it was less threatening to
paintbrushes it was less threatening to
paintbrushes it was less threatening to the spray can you know so at all you
the spray can you know so at all you
the spray can you know so at all you always had to you know prep the prep was
always had to you know prep the prep was
always had to you know prep the prep was everything I was scout a wall out four
everything I was scout a wall out four
everything I was scout a wall out four weeks before I painted it you know and I
weeks before I painted it you know and I
weeks before I painted it you know and I will always tell a loved one let me do
will always tell a loved one let me do
will always tell a loved one let me do the talking you know because I’m from
the talking you know because I’m from
the talking you know because I’m from here I know the environment I know what
here I know the environment I know what
here I know the environment I know what we’re getting into
we’re getting into
we’re getting into and again if anything negative comes
and again if anything negative comes
and again if anything negative comes from it I take full responsibility about
from it I take full responsibility about
from it I take full responsibility about 2012
2012
2012 sage became a now
sage became a now
sage became a now organization we got our 501c3 by this
organization we got our 501c3 by this
organization we got our 501c3 by this point its age is way more than just a
point its age is way more than just a
point its age is way more than just a graffiti collective we have teachers
graffiti collective we have teachers
graffiti collective we have teachers public speakers you name it
public speakers you name it
public speakers you name it you know if you’re passionate about your
you know if you’re passionate about your
you know if you’re passionate about your art form you have a home within siege
art form you have a home within siege
art form you have a home within siege we’re still very rugged we still win
we’re still very rugged we still win
we’re still very rugged we still win against the status quo there was a lot
against the status quo there was a lot
against the status quo there was a lot of things that we did that most people
of things that we did that most people
of things that we did that most people were intimidated by because back then if
were intimidated by because back then if
were intimidated by because back then if you wanted to get down with sage you had
you wanted to get down with sage you had
you wanted to get down with sage you had to take a wall with me if you then take
to take a wall with me if you then take
to take a wall with me if you then take a wall mean I probably could trust you
a wall mean I probably could trust you
a wall mean I probably could trust you you know so taking the wall was
you know so taking the wall was
you know so taking the wall was basically going out doing the wall
basically going out doing the wall
basically going out doing the wall without sanction because I was like you
without sanction because I was like you
without sanction because I was like you know your real friends are once the cops
know your real friends are once the cops
know your real friends are once the cops come and and if I want to be doing
come and and if I want to be doing
come and and if I want to be doing anything against the grain with anyone
anything against the grain with anyone
anything against the grain with anyone that I know I have to know I could trust
that I know I have to know I could trust
that I know I have to know I could trust you you know and if a few artists that
you you know and if a few artists that
you you know and if a few artists that came down with sage and early these were
came down with sage and early these were
came down with sage and early these were willing to do that but from there our
willing to do that but from there our
willing to do that but from there our whole thing was bringing art to these
whole thing was bringing art to these
whole thing was bringing art to these neighborhoods that years ago we were
neighborhoods that years ago we were
neighborhoods that years ago we were just going to just catch rat you know we
just going to just catch rat you know we
just going to just catch rat you know we were going to trying to destroy it but
were going to trying to destroy it but
were going to trying to destroy it but wait a minute this neighbors are full of
wait a minute this neighbors are full of
wait a minute this neighbors are full of abandoned buildings people that most
abandoned buildings people that most
abandoned buildings people that most likely never leave these neighborhoods
likely never leave these neighborhoods
likely never leave these neighborhoods let’s bring arts and culture to them
let’s bring arts and culture to them
let’s bring arts and culture to them because that’s what kept us disciplined
because that’s what kept us disciplined
because that’s what kept us disciplined I looked at the 3d has more of a therapy
I looked at the 3d has more of a therapy
I looked at the 3d has more of a therapy because at the time I had so much I was
because at the time I had so much I was
because at the time I had so much I was dealing with going out in the middle of
dealing with going out in the middle of
dealing with going out in the middle of the night gave me my credibility gave me
the night gave me my credibility gave me
the night gave me my credibility gave me my energy and also it gave me respect
my energy and also it gave me respect
my energy and also it gave me respect because I was taking these I was taking
because I was taking these I was taking
because I was taking these I was taking these risk that most wouldn’t took you
these risk that most wouldn’t took you
these risk that most wouldn’t took you know so for me you know the colors and
know so for me you know the colors and
know so for me you know the colors and graffiti is everything you have to be
graffiti is everything you have to be
graffiti is everything you have to be clean you have to be your colors have to
clean you have to be your colors have to
clean you have to be your colors have to be loud you have to have confidence
be loud you have to have confidence
be loud you have to have confidence ultimate confidence in what you’re doing
ultimate confidence in what you’re doing
ultimate confidence in what you’re doing or else no one will take you seriously
or else no one will take you seriously
or else no one will take you seriously in our world we didn’t care what the
in our world we didn’t care what the
in our world we didn’t care what the outside world thought because we were
outside world thought because we were
outside world thought because we were doing this for us
doing this for us
doing this for us and by us the beauty of graffiti also is
and by us the beauty of graffiti also is
and by us the beauty of graffiti also is that your race class and gender didn’t
that your race class and gender didn’t
that your race class and gender didn’t matter as long as you can rock if you
matter as long as you can rock if you
matter as long as you can rock if you can paint you got a home I paint it with
can paint you got a home I paint it with
can paint you got a home I paint it with people from all over the globe you know
people from all over the globe you know
people from all over the globe you know all different race class and gender
all different race class and gender
all different race class and gender none of that never mattered the only
none of that never mattered the only
none of that never mattered the only thing that could matter if you can put
thing that could matter if you can put
thing that could matter if you can put your colors together on this wall and
your colors together on this wall and
your colors together on this wall and you could represent and you had to be
you could represent and you had to be
you could represent and you had to be cool because if you as an asshole you
cool because if you as an asshole you
cool because if you as an asshole you had no place with us you know no matter
had no place with us you know no matter
had no place with us you know no matter how
how
how you were so because again you’re risking
you were so because again you’re risking
you were so because again you’re risking so much you’re putting your freedom on
so much you’re putting your freedom on
so much you’re putting your freedom on the line every time I took a wall and I
the line every time I took a wall and I
the line every time I took a wall and I took dozens of loss I will always Scout
took dozens of loss I will always Scout
took dozens of loss I will always Scout them out they had to be in high traffic
them out they had to be in high traffic
them out they had to be in high traffic intersections that’s how you got noticed
intersections that’s how you got noticed
intersections that’s how you got noticed most people thought at the time at our
most people thought at the time at our
most people thought at the time at our peak we have hundreds of walls up a
peak we have hundreds of walls up a
peak we have hundreds of walls up a trend like a dozen because the places
trend like a dozen because the places
trend like a dozen because the places they were placed in you know they were
they were placed in you know they were
they were placed in you know they were in areas where you know if you drive to
in areas where you know if you drive to
in areas where you know if you drive to the south for you see a mural and South
the south for you see a mural and South
the south for you see a mural and South Broad which is a main artery then you go
Broad which is a main artery then you go
Broad which is a main artery then you go down to Southern Street you see another
down to Southern Street you see another
down to Southern Street you see another one do you go to chambers like Tampa cop
one do you go to chambers like Tampa cop
one do you go to chambers like Tampa cop heroes you know technically we do but
heroes you know technically we do but
heroes you know technically we do but not really you know so because we travel
not really you know so because we travel
not really you know so because we travel with it we took it anywhere we could you
with it we took it anywhere we could you
with it we took it anywhere we could you know promoting our crew our ideology and
know promoting our crew our ideology and
know promoting our crew our ideology and what we were about you know and it was
what we were about you know and it was
what we were about you know and it was beautiful in a sense where you know
beautiful in a sense where you know
beautiful in a sense where you know graffiti depending on who you talk to is
graffiti depending on who you talk to is
graffiti depending on who you talk to is an element of hip-hop it’s the first
an element of hip-hop it’s the first
an element of hip-hop it’s the first elements to oldest it really depends
elements to oldest it really depends
elements to oldest it really depends where you talk to because most old
where you talk to because most old
where you talk to because most old screwed rafidhi writers don’t
screwed rafidhi writers don’t
screwed rafidhi writers don’t necessarily employ that thought but for
necessarily employ that thought but for
necessarily employ that thought but for me that’s how I was introduced graffiti
me that’s how I was introduced graffiti
me that’s how I was introduced graffiti but sage it was graffiti in every sense
but sage it was graffiti in every sense
but sage it was graffiti in every sense if you were a rapper you were producing
if you were a rapper you were producing
if you were a rapper you were producing lyrical graffiti you know if you were a
lyrical graffiti you know if you were a
lyrical graffiti you know if you were a welder you were producing sculptural
welder you were producing sculptural
welder you were producing sculptural graffiti 3d graffiti and 3d and graffiti
graffiti 3d graffiti and 3d and graffiti
graffiti 3d graffiti and 3d and graffiti is everything that’s how you build your
is everything that’s how you build your
is everything that’s how you build your letters you know graffiti is a art form
letters you know graffiti is a art form
letters you know graffiti is a art form based around letters so the words we
based around letters so the words we
based around letters so the words we will put holes on every wall the words
will put holes on every wall the words
will put holes on every wall the words for everything because you can’t expect
for everything because you can’t expect
for everything because you can’t expect everybody to understand exactly what
everybody to understand exactly what
everybody to understand exactly what your work means sometimes before it goes
your work means sometimes before it goes
your work means sometimes before it goes over people say it so the quotes is what
over people say it so the quotes is what
over people say it so the quotes is what tie then those who didn’t get the
tie then those who didn’t get the
tie then those who didn’t get the imagery you know and the kids the kids
imagery you know and the kids the kids
imagery you know and the kids the kids love it you know do another thing with
love it you know do another thing with
love it you know do another thing with sages that you know we’re going to these
sages that you know we’re going to these
sages that you know we’re going to these economically depressed neighborhoods and
economically depressed neighborhoods and
economically depressed neighborhoods and you got to look at the way these
you got to look at the way these
you got to look at the way these neighborhoods are set up these
neighborhoods are set up these
neighborhoods are set up these neighborhoods some of these
neighborhoods some of these
neighborhoods some of these neighborhoods are open-air drug markets
neighborhoods are open-air drug markets
neighborhoods are open-air drug markets you could pretty much buy anything you
you could pretty much buy anything you
you could pretty much buy anything you want do anything you want so you got to
want do anything you want so you got to
want do anything you want so you got to employ those methods you got to go and
employ those methods you got to go and
employ those methods you got to go and sling and art like somebody going in
sling and art like somebody going in
sling and art like somebody going in slinging dope but the thing about it we
slinging dope but the thing about it we
slinging dope but the thing about it we in charge of any of it and if only then
in charge of any of it and if only then
in charge of any of it and if only then it is not going to bring negativity to
it is not going to bring negativity to
it is not going to bring negativity to life if only bring positive aspects you
life if only bring positive aspects you
life if only bring positive aspects you know but that feels like you got the
know but that feels like you got the
know but that feels like you got the graffiti
graffiti
graffiti this doing social work what that doesn’t
this doing social work what that doesn’t
this doing social work what that doesn’t make sense you know so how somebody who
make sense you know so how somebody who
make sense you know so how somebody who has built a reputation off of doing the
has built a reputation off of doing the
has built a reputation off of doing the legal work doing something to bring
legal work doing something to bring
legal work doing something to bring legitimacy to these neighborhoods you
legitimacy to these neighborhoods you
legitimacy to these neighborhoods you know and I tell people is like you know
know and I tell people is like you know
know and I tell people is like you know if you want to relate to anyone who’s
if you want to relate to anyone who’s
if you want to relate to anyone who’s going through it you have to have going
going through it you have to have going
going through it you have to have going through at least something yourself you
through at least something yourself you
through at least something yourself you can’t ask somebody to do something that
can’t ask somebody to do something that
can’t ask somebody to do something that you’re not willing to do use very hard
you’re not willing to do use very hard
you’re not willing to do use very hard to relate to people who you know have
to relate to people who you know have
to relate to people who you know have been through a lot and you haven’t been
been through a lot and you haven’t been
been through a lot and you haven’t been through anything so you can’t just look
through anything so you can’t just look
through anything so you can’t just look at it from a standpoint that oh you guys
at it from a standpoint that oh you guys
at it from a standpoint that oh you guys are promoting legal art form no we’re
are promoting legal art form no we’re
are promoting legal art form no we’re promoting an art form you know it’s not
promoting an art form you know it’s not
promoting an art form you know it’s not so much this thing where it’s a bunch of
so much this thing where it’s a bunch of
so much this thing where it’s a bunch of kids tagging you know now graffiti is a
kids tagging you know now graffiti is a
kids tagging you know now graffiti is a youth art form but at the same token if
youth art form but at the same token if
youth art form but at the same token if most people who are good at it on a 20s
most people who are good at it on a 20s
most people who are good at it on a 20s 30s and 40s or older you know it takes a
30s and 40s or older you know it takes a
30s and 40s or older you know it takes a while to grow with it and these things
while to grow with it and these things
while to grow with it and these things are all what make up what we do within
are all what make up what we do within
are all what make up what we do within saige you know we go we do our best to
saige you know we go we do our best to
saige you know we go we do our best to convey these thoughts and that art can
convey these thoughts and that art can
convey these thoughts and that art can bring so much value to your life you
bring so much value to your life you
bring so much value to your life you just have to accept it and let it is not
just have to accept it and let it is not
just have to accept it and let it is not for the rich is not for the elite is not
for the rich is not for the elite is not
for the rich is not for the elite is not it’s for everyone you know it’s that’s
it’s for everyone you know it’s that’s
it’s for everyone you know it’s that’s the beauty of it and I remember it was
the beauty of it and I remember it was
the beauty of it and I remember it was about about eight years ago we were in
about about eight years ago we were in
about about eight years ago we were in Camden New Jersey it was this guy by the
Camden New Jersey it was this guy by the
Camden New Jersey it was this guy by the name of smile another defeated artist
name of smile another defeated artist
name of smile another defeated artist said we were about to put down with our
said we were about to put down with our
said we were about to put down with our crew vs and basically put down means he
crew vs and basically put down means he
crew vs and basically put down means he was about the game membership into our
was about the game membership into our
was about the game membership into our crew so the week of that we were about
crew so the week of that we were about
crew so the week of that we were about to put him down he passed away right
to put him down he passed away right
to put him down he passed away right under you know I don’t still today I
under you know I don’t still today I
under you know I don’t still today I don’t know the circumstances around what
don’t know the circumstances around what
don’t know the circumstances around what happened but it kind of took us by shock
happened but it kind of took us by shock
happened but it kind of took us by shock right so we go down to Camden and my boy
right so we go down to Camden and my boy
right so we go down to Camden and my boy Pro who’s also a member of my crew and
Pro who’s also a member of my crew and
Pro who’s also a member of my crew and throws up crazy do you know so he’s like
throws up crazy do you know so he’s like
throws up crazy do you know so he’s like Castle man you got to do a portrait of
Castle man you got to do a portrait of
Castle man you got to do a portrait of smile you know what colors you need
smile you know what colors you need
smile you know what colors you need that’s like all right man give me some
that’s like all right man give me some
that’s like all right man give me some ribs give me some blacks and me some
ribs give me some blacks and me some
ribs give me some blacks and me some green like I’m sorry not greens me some
green like I’m sorry not greens me some
green like I’m sorry not greens me some Reds give me some Browns give me some
Reds give me some Browns give me some
Reds give me some Browns give me some yellows maybe some lavenders he hold up
yellows maybe some lavenders he hold up
yellows maybe some lavenders he hold up smiles a white dude why you need Browns
smiles a white dude why you need Browns
smiles a white dude why you need Browns reds and yellows the peanut white dude I
reds and yellows the peanut white dude I
reds and yellows the peanut white dude I was like man just get me the pink that I
was like man just get me the pink that I
was like man just get me the pink that I need and let me let me do the rest you
need and let me let me do the rest you
need and let me let me do the rest you know
know
know so we out there Fowler’s painting this
so we out there Fowler’s painting this
so we out there Fowler’s painting this one the portrait starting to come to
one the portrait starting to come to
one the portrait starting to come to life I never used some young kids came
life I never used some young kids came
life I never used some young kids came up and I let them hold the cans even let
up and I let them hold the cans even let
up and I let them hold the cans even let no paint it was cool so about three four
no paint it was cool so about three four
no paint it was cool so about three four hours in the portrait starts to come to
hours in the portrait starts to come to
hours in the portrait starts to come to life and Pro comes out to me he’s like
life and Pro comes out to me he’s like
life and Pro comes out to me he’s like you know it looked just like them how
you know it looked just like them how
you know it looked just like them how the hell did you get that guy with those
the hell did you get that guy with those
the hell did you get that guy with those colors and I had to give them a lesson
colors and I had to give them a lesson
colors and I had to give them a lesson in color theory I was like look man you
in color theory I was like look man you
in color theory I was like look man you know I was like I was like look man we
know I was like I was like look man we
know I was like I was like look man we all made up for the same colors the same
all made up for the same colors the same
all made up for the same colors the same colors I used to paint me as the same
colors I used to paint me as the same
colors I used to paint me as the same color as I used to paint you it’s just
color as I used to paint you it’s just
color as I used to paint you it’s just all different hues you know so you got
all different hues you know so you got
all different hues you know so you got to look at it like that in life you know
to look at it like that in life you know
to look at it like that in life you know it’s like being a big black dude in the
it’s like being a big black dude in the
it’s like being a big black dude in the graffiti scene in the art world I go
graffiti scene in the art world I go
graffiti scene in the art world I go into certain places people are looking
into certain places people are looking
into certain places people are looking at me like what the hell are you doing
at me like what the hell are you doing
at me like what the hell are you doing here because of the color of my skin my
here because of the color of my skin my
here because of the color of my skin my stature my size but I expect that you
stature my size but I expect that you
stature my size but I expect that you know it gives you a chance to educate
know it gives you a chance to educate
know it gives you a chance to educate people and if they not want to be
people and if they not want to be
people and if they not want to be educated then just let them die off you
educated then just let them die off you
educated then just let them die off you don’t know waste the energy went so I
don’t know waste the energy went so I
don’t know waste the energy went so I was like colors makeup everything we’re
was like colors makeup everything we’re
was like colors makeup everything we’re all based around the same colors you
all based around the same colors you
all based around the same colors you know just different hues you know and he
know just different hues you know and he
know just different hues you know and he was like I can’t believe it man it looks
was like I can’t believe it man it looks
was like I can’t believe it man it looks just like them you know so maybe next
just like them you know so maybe next
just like them you know so maybe next time you look at a look at someone of a
time you look at a look at someone of a
time you look at a look at someone of a different race nationality whatever you
different race nationality whatever you
different race nationality whatever you won’t just judge them on the way they
won’t just judge them on the way they
won’t just judge them on the way they look but try to get a little deeper you
look but try to get a little deeper you
look but try to get a little deeper you know because like painting life is made
know because like painting life is made
know because like painting life is made in layers you know if you’re doing the
in layers you know if you’re doing the
in layers you know if you’re doing the paint where one layers tend to be flat
paint where one layers tend to be flat
paint where one layers tend to be flat but if you put a lot of layers on there
but if you put a lot of layers on there
but if you put a lot of layers on there you may develop a masterpiece and that’s
you may develop a masterpiece and that’s
you may develop a masterpiece and that’s how we gotta look at society and
how we gotta look at society and
how we gotta look at society and everything we do you can’t approach just
everything we do you can’t approach just
everything we do you can’t approach just one way you went into work we do in the
one way you went into work we do in the
one way you went into work we do in the community care approach is just one way
community care approach is just one way
community care approach is just one way we got gang members involved in our crew
we got gang members involved in our crew
we got gang members involved in our crew because what better way to get to
because what better way to get to
because what better way to get to another gang member by someone who lived
another gang member by someone who lived
another gang member by someone who lived that life but this game members our
that life but this game members our
that life but this game members our artists you know so you tell these kids
artists you know so you tell these kids
artists you know so you tell these kids like hey man instead of banging how
like hey man instead of banging how
like hey man instead of banging how about you bang on these canvas you know
about you bang on these canvas you know
about you bang on these canvas you know or back
or back
or back on this wall it’s all about changing the
on this wall it’s all about changing the
on this wall it’s all about changing the ideas behind it you know and um you know
ideas behind it you know and um you know
ideas behind it you know and um you know it’s almost like abstract expressionist
it’s almost like abstract expressionist
it’s almost like abstract expressionist that’s kind of what I’m feeling right
that’s kind of what I’m feeling right
that’s kind of what I’m feeling right now so you just got to kind of just let
now so you just got to kind of just let
now so you just got to kind of just let it flow and not be afraid you know so
it flow and not be afraid you know so
it flow and not be afraid you know so that’s pretty much all I got to say and
that’s pretty much all I got to say and
that’s pretty much all I got to say and I’m about to show y’all this piece like
I’m about to show y’all this piece like
I’m about to show y’all this piece like I said this is quick it’s fun there’s
I said this is quick it’s fun there’s
I said this is quick it’s fun there’s our snap there we go
our snap there we go
our snap there we go all right and that’s my talk
”
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