Phase 2, the pioneer of graffiti, died: he influenced the early hip hop scene

Anyone who does graffiti today owes anything to him. TO Lonny Wood, known as Phase 2, his stage name. His signature. He was one of the most influential artists of the last century: starting from the Seventies he allowed the birth and spread of writing, with writings and tags – signatures, simple spry signs, as they say in jargon – artistic expression of the broadest hip culture hop. Phase 2, which also invented the 'bubble' style, or the 'puffy' and 'soft' characters like balloons, was born in the Bronx, New York, 61 years ago. He had been sick for some time.

One of the first graffiti in Phase 2: the 'bubble' style was born

To tell the truth, even those who don't do graffiti owe them much. Especially if it gravitates in the world of hip hop that, in addition to deejaying and breakdance, had as a means of expression writing: spry cans were used to leave its mark in the cities, on abandoned walls, on wagons that reached the outskirts of the rich, bourgeois and white heart of the metropolis. They were the extension of the arm, heart and mind. Like having a microphone in your hand. A way to make one's voice heard, as it has been since the dawn of time. To say: I exist too, and here I am.

RIP to a fallen King, the legendary pioneer flyer creator, Phase 2. In the 70s, he and Buddy Esquire were the "go to" flyer makers. If you couldn't get one, you got the other! Two of the best flyers to ever do it !!! Rest those hands, my brother! ?????? pic.twitter.com/8I5OPV0mh4

– MC Debbie D (@MCDebbieD) December 13, 2019

It is no coincidence that the whole hip hop community has been touched by the news, especially that of veterans. Such as MC Debbie D, one of the first MC women – the master of ceremonies during a hip hop night – which among the first released the news of the disappearance of Phase 2: "RIP to a fallen King, the legendary pioneer flyer creator, Phase 2. In the 70s, he and Buddy Esquire were the" go to "flyer makers. If you couldn't get one, you got the other! Two of the best flyer makers to do it !!! Rest those hands, my brother! ", he writes.Also Dante Ross, one of the legendary rap promoters and recorders, pays tribute to Phase 2 with a play on words: "Rest in Paint".

If you ever wrote Graf or just enjoy the artform you are indebted to the man # Phase2 Rest In Paint ?? Phase2 to true legend and history of culture the mans contributions are so important. Thank you for everything you gave us #TrueLegend #TrueKing # Phase2

– Dante Ross (@DanteRoss) December 13, 2019

In the ghettos crammed with Puerto Ricans and African Americans, Lonny Wood, born in New York on August 2, 1955, is among the first blacks to begin to leave his traces on the walls: the stage name, necessary to guarantee anonymity, if he chooses in 1971, when he is 16 years old. "Last year we had a party," he said, "and we wanted to repeat it that year, so I said," We'll call it phase 2 ". He attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where he first met with writing. On the opposite side, there is the Coffee Shop, a place where artists meet again: its path is traced. It is from there that everyone leaves on their journey, from the ghetto, to the subway station at 149th Street and Grand Concourse, where they stop to watch the trains painted by the pass pass. It is the new art form that travels with commuters.

In 1974 he founded United Graffiti Artists, bringing together a crew – collective, in hip hop parlance – of professional writers. In 1980, when this means of communication is now cleared through customs, while maintaining its provocative value and never ceasing to generate controversy, Phase 2 participates in the creation of International Graffiti Times, the first magazine dedicated to writing.

The life of Phase 2 is closely linked to that of hip hop musicians, especially since the early 1980s: he himself was a DJ, then rapper, r was part of the B-Boy crew Electrified Movement, a breakdance collective. Above all, however, he loved creating flyers, promotional flyers to advertise theme nights: he worked, among others, for Kool Herc is Grand Master Flash. The cinema called him to consult on graffiti. Once again, everyone owes him something. Also 'our' Neffa, who in Italy was among the first to bring rap: Phase 2 is among the featuring – the holdings – of The messengers pt. 1, piece included in one of the fundamental albums of the Italian rap scene, Neffa & the messengers of dopa.

"You must recognize that your passion and your love cannot make up for not having the necessary curisdiction", explained Phase 2 telling what is behind the art of graffiti," and that when you have no knowledge, what you support and transmit can only do great harm to the legacy and integrity of the culture you are proposing. There are no real 'experts' here. There are only facts and fiction. The real question is: who is really authentic? ".

"Behind the letters was his entire philosophy, a philosophy light years ahead of anyone else," reads a farewell message on Twitter. Top spry cans.