10 Graffiti Artists To Watch In 2012

Image via Complex Original

With the help of WDATA, we're dipping below the radar to highlight up-and-coming graffiti artists for 2012. Many of these guys haven't yet cracked the blog mainstream. As such, this list is a true selection of American writers who are likely to enter your conscious for the first time this year.

WDATA wrote our 25 Greatest Chicago Graffiti Writers feature. He's also a contributor to The History of American Graffiti book.

10 Graffiti Writers To Watch In 2012.

10. BANDIT

WDATA says, "irst Bandit completely destroyed some of the most high profile street spots done in Chicago. Since mid-2011 its been Oakland/San Fran's turn and he doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon."

9. GASM

WDATA says, "Gasm, from Detroit, seems to be getting better with every new piece, wall, and freight train that pops up. But most importantly, this dude crushes Detroit and flicks are popping up very frequently in early 2012."

8. PEAR

WDATA says, "Pear has been getting it in with a classic style for the past few years and his work is rapidly building up all over America and abroad, and it will only continue in 2012."

7. SOVIET

WDATA says, "Pittsburg NSF crew member Soviet has been doing his thing for years now, but we are expecting to see even more advancement of his unique letter styles in the year 2012."

6. ENRON

WDATA says, "Enron is pulling crazy pieces in the Bay in even crazier spots. From fill-ins to semi wild pieces; its getting better and better from this slept-on bomber."

5. RAPES

WDATA says, "Longtime DF/ATT member Rapes has really progressed his traditional wall styles in the past few years and started off 2012 with a gang of new pieces and some new videos in the works.

4. GREVE

WDATA says, "Cant wait to see what Greve does in 2012. He flew under the radar for years painting subway trains across America, and recently he began releasing some rad footage in his GxOxS video series."

3. CHAOS

WDATA says, "Chaos MSK owned 2011 and the new year has not slowed him down one bit. This mysterious Detroit writer literally came out of nowhere with ridiculous street pieces..."

2. CENO

WDATA says, "When we say 'expect big things from Ceno in 2012' it is not an exaggeration. This Dallas native got up heavy and did fire extinguishers fill-ins throughout the mid-west in 2011 and he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon.

1. Omens

WDATA says, "Chicago writer Omens keeps on getting better and faster at painting his clean, highly stylized pieces. Expect more traveling and even more people taking notice of how good this guy really is."