hip-hop

ZEPHYR

(New York, US)

ZEPHYR, born Andrew Witten, is a graffiti artist, lecturer and author from New York City. He began creating graffiti in 1975 and first signed using the name "Zephyr" in 1977. He has been identified as a graffiti "elder", who along with Futura 2000, Blade, PHASE 2, CASH, Lady Pink and TAKI 183 invented styles and standards which are still in use.

His works can be seen in the hip-hop culture documentary Style Wars and he was featured as himself in the landmark hip-hop motion picture Wild Style. He is co-author of a 2001 biography of fellow graffiti artist, Dondi White: Dondi White Style Master General: The Life of Graffiti Artist Dondi White. He is interviewed in the 2005 DIY graffiti video The Art of Storytelling, where he talks about fallen graffiti artist Nace. He was featured in the documentary Bomb It.

His name was inspired by a brand of surfboards and skateboards. Many of his most popular pieces have been done by simply redesigning his trademark name "Zeph" or "Zephyr". Sharp contrast in the edges of the letters are also featured throughout his artwork.

Watch this video by Walrus TV:


REVOLT

(New York, US)

Dr. Revolt began his practice in 1977 as an original member of the historic New York City graffiti crew, The Rolling Thunder Writers (RTW). Known for doing both tags & elaborate & colorful pieces, he developed his reputation by taking over the Broadway #1 line with his colorful psychedelic & comic art influenced stylings & later, taking it "all-city". With his contributions to the seminal classic hip-hop films "Wild Style & "Style Wars", various music videos & his tour of duty in Baltimore where he, like a "messenger of style" single handedly kick-started a graff-scene that still feels his influence today, his place in the history of graff-dom is secure. 

Today, Dr. Revolt's accomplishments far surpass his early NYC beginnings. In addition to designing several t-shirts, album covers, & logo work for various artists including: THE FUN LOVIN' CRIMINALS, THE BLACK CROWS, CAMP LOW, GRANDMASTER FLASH, SLY-n-ROBIE'S TAXI DJ. LINK, SKARhead, etc. & creating the classic "YO! MTV Raps' logo, his work has been, & continues to be seen in various publications & art galleries globally.

Watch this video of Revolt and Zephyr: