The 25 Greatest Chicago Graffiti Writers
By Nick Schonberger | Dec 12, 2011 | 10:12 am | Permalink
Next up in our ongoing series of city-centric graffiti lists is Chicago. The Windy City has produced some of America's finest writers. We enlisted Wdata, contributor Roger Gastman's massive The History of American Graffiti book, and he selected the greatest painters of the last 30 years.
It would be easy to pick 25 writers from the early 80’s alone. If thats what your looking for; just pick up a history book my friend. This list was made with all personal issues and agendas aside, and it was made from the birds eye view of a longtime fan.
I know this list of my opinions will bring plenty of hate, but I gotta say it was fun. It took way too much time, and major emphasis was put on being honest and realistic.
Style, quantity, originality, fame, and longevity were all considered while determining the all-time 25 greatest graffiti writers from Chicago. In no particular order...
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nocoast December 12th, 2011 at 02:07 PM
OK that list blows. Temper without jacks? No men? Cta? 312? Vegan? Aom? Y Not to mention Eden is all city and 17. What about 1up/post. Dr.Nerd? Do some fucking research before you make a bogus passed list like that...
g.p. December 12th, 2011 at 02:33 PM
haha above^ do your research the list is pretty complete, would have traded omens and kc with were and koname, and to add two more to the list true and gem. vegan? and i think you mean edem not eden.
nseng December 12th, 2011 at 03:14 PM
yo.. i just wanna know where to go when im visiting the Chi City. best places to eat, shop. all that shit. help?! pleace..
Nigel December 13th, 2011 at 12:14 AM
Are you for real?? What new jack names are you talking about? Jack and Vegan? haha Im not on that list and Im fucking dope as hell... and there is like mad people that are not even on that list that are ahead of me.Also mad people with ill street not even mentioned.So no your wrong and who ever mad this this list is not fully versed in whos who and or who does what. RIP AFRO KISE DARE AROE SOLE!!!!!!!!TRUE KINGS NEVER DIE!!!!
... December 13th, 2011 at 12:51 AM
I dont even want talk shit but i would Def ix at least 2 of the new jack lames and add Raven and True! OHHHHSHIT!!!
... December 13th, 2011 at 02:36 AM
in regards to nigels post.... true true
cornhustlah December 12th, 2011 at 04:22 PM
did you even research this shit? where is Denz? Koname? BEL!!?!! and fuck this whole crew shit.. individuals ONLY yo! DISK?! nope. Kiser? nope. Erie? nope. Ism? nope. man, this list is terrible. you fuckers need your head checked. @nocaost and EVERYONE: if you werent on the scene before 2000, then you dont deserve to go on the list. and that even excludes one of the greatest youngbloods the city has seen- Afroe42 (RIP). i'll be back with a REAL list.
gp December 12th, 2011 at 04:31 PM
skol and bel. otherwise decent list. down/werm with the cab list. afroe def dope! ism did his thing but quit. disk was fresh too for a hood ninja!
cornhustlah December 12th, 2011 at 04:33 PM
oh and Egor! still killin them insides to this day!
1985 December 12th, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Damn, well Cornhustlah thank you for the Honorable Mention my brotha,! "Denz" Even though I'm happy for each and every person to get his shine on. That's great! They mention 2000 A lot on the photo's and i remember all of these. speaking of 2000 i remember coming back from Germany with over 75 cans of Montana, and 50 cans of Belton that packed in my bag, when i got back know one had even painted with Montana, and i gave some to Page,Sivel,Trixter, and the painted in the Xmen Cave, By the Green Dolphine! Next production on the West side Division & Karlov, again with Montana, Page Chosen,Hek & Raven had never used it at all.I remember everything like Cooked soul food on a Sunday, Now don't get me wrong Dzine went to Europe a few years before me. But i can at least say i was the second person to Bring Montana & Belton to Chicago, and keep it on the map by representing every crew that was involved in Chicago, even if the were not around anymore. I still gave shout outs in Paris,Amsterdamn,Germany & the list goes on...etc, lmfao! but for the ones that made it here Great they deserve it and many more. (Triple) R.I.P was over looked! but hey! everyone has their times and moments. I hope all have a good xmas and prosperous New Years as well!
Three Hearts Club December 12th, 2011 at 04:50 PM
Thank you for the recognition.
95.247 December 12th, 2011 at 06:04 PM
Syfer? Thoze? Ark? Omens has steez but no street cred..
Frank December 12th, 2011 at 06:06 PM
So many people got left off that list, GTEK!! C3PO, ZEB, CMW, WERE, KONAME, J4F, UAC (c'mon) SIPS, MENS, STEPH, ONI29, MAYA, ESP, Anybody in UEMF, COVE, DEPT RIP, TRANE FEDS, TDS, KORL, SEGE, MSK, FB Crew, COMIE, RGS, MELON, EGS, FONZO, BEL, EGOR, STN, KMD, JASH DIRTY30 (WTF?) The list could go on, Classic Chicago Rockerz. Well Deserved Props though to those that did get mentioned.
East December 30th, 2011 at 11:58 PM
Feds did get mentioned... individually. ;)
Frank December 12th, 2011 at 06:21 PM
I just saw they mentioned JASH under DC5 and I'm assuming SKOL and ZEB just fall under CMDUBB. Chicago Got's so much soul, you can't narrow that shit down to just 25. Don't forget ELOTER$!!
1988 December 12th, 2011 at 07:53 PM
I think its a great list, plus it clearly says in no particular order