Jean-Michel Basquiat's popularity extends well beyond the art world these days. Thanks to rappers like Jay-Z and Swizz Beatz (who Jeffrey Deitch compared to Basquiat last year), more people are at least aware of the artist and have maybe Googled him once or twice.

Those who were familiar with his work prior to 2011 know Basquiat as a prolific artist during the 1970s and 80s, before his unfortunate death at the young age of 27; however, many still don't know everything there is to know about the enigma that was Jean-Michel.

In an attempt to change that, we have compiled this list of 20 Things You Didn't Know About Jean-Michel Basquiat.

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