Image via Complex Original
London has one of the strongest histories of graffiti in the world outside of New York. But until recently it has had a very closed scene, with very little known about from the outside world . The emergence of DDS in the early 1990s, who boast 12 names in this list had a profound effect on the style of the city,
A rich train scene has always been at the core of the graffiti activity in city, with old school names such as Kast, Cazbee, Cherish, Fuel, Prime among the most memorable on the underground system- while others such as Drax, Eine, PIC, 10 Foot and Oker have achieved all city on the streets in stints over the past 25 years.
This list takes in to account the most influential of the past 10-15 years. An old school list will appear soon.
Written by @hurtyoubad, @crackandshine, & @topsafelondon.
The 25 Greatest London Graffiti Writers
RELATED: Green Label - A Look at the Best Graffiti Spots in the World
Vamp
Vamp
Went all city many times over. His high up tracksides have lasted the mass buff and will probably continue to be there for a long time.
Neas
Neas
Came from a strong generation of South London writers including Mood, Anie,Vamp & Ensa. He and his fellow DPM crew members were given jail sentences in 2009 in a very public court case. One of the best train writers in the UK in the last 15 years.
Akt
Akt
North London king, big influence on future generations of local writers. The Buff Fails.
10 Foot
10 Foot
Absolutely killed London more than anyone in recent history. A lot of personality in his style, he was the most vocal in the dislike of the growing street art movement in London.
Regret
Regret
Has had one of the most consistently amazing handstyles in London for 20 years. Still active today.
Eine
Eine
Went all city in the early 1990s with his "S" throw-up, when he was part of the Bad Naughton Brotherss with Dreph & Abel. He later went on to paint dozens of wholecars with the likes of Nema and Oker. Retired from graffiti in 2000, and started writing his now unviversally known typeface. One of the few people to make the move from graffiti to street art successfully and still remain hugely respected in the scene.
Take
Take
One of these writers that you can see in the most unexpected places in the city. Has been getting up all city for over 15 years.
Steas
Steas
During the mid 2000's he was one of the most active writers in the city. His style wasn't bettered in that period. King of insides as well.
Pic
Pic
A street bomber in the 1980s, he soon graduated to tubes- and made an impact with partners Prime & Robbo. His "PIC up the trash" sticker campaign has lasted for over a decade.
ATG Crew
ATG Crew
North London based crew going strong since 2000. A young group of writers who wanted to do something different from the getgo. From colour tracksides, to Rest going all city, then Panik becoming rooftop king, they have always pushed the boundaries. Numerous other members such as Aset, Snore, Elmo, Grose, Asure, Hit have made a big impact in their own way. In recent years they have diversified in to music, clothing and art- but always remain rooted in graffiti culture.
Nema
Nema
The founder of Trains, Pills, Girls. Nema has probably left the biggest mark on the city than other other outsider in the past decade. One of the most significant train writers in the past 20 years in Europe, if not the world.
Oker
Oker
Brought his own twist New York bombing style to London in a massive way. He and his crew GSD waged war on numerous crews in London throughout the 2000s.
2Kold
2Kold
His interview in Bomb Alert was an early eye opener in to the life of DDS.
Diet
Diet
An early member of DDS, along with Faum 72, he was a huge influence on the slightly younger members of the crew. Some say he founded what is known as DDS style. Still paints regularly now.
Zonk
Zonk
Al City Rudeboy. Never did a bad piece. Yellow outlines and white fill included. Was King along with Cosa between 1997-2000. Has disappeared but still remains one of everybody's favourite writers.
Fuel
Fuel
Painted tubes relentlessly for a long period. A real style innovator in London. Has a huge amount of respect from his peers.
Elk
Elk
Founding member of PFB crew. Another who put 25 years in to painting in London. He was one of the early interrailers, along with the likes of Egs & Diet. He was also the organiser of the infamous Unity Jams in the 1990s.
Shu2 & Sub.One
Shu2 & Sub.One
Sub & Shuto started Diabolical Dubstars in 1991. The formation of the crew has been the most significant thing to happen in graffiti in London. Two very different writers, Shuto's pieces handstyles aren't bettered by anyone in London, while Sub is an out and out bomber. But both legends in their own rights.
Teach
Teach
A younger member of the core team of DDS who took over from the mid 1990s to early 2000s. HisTYLE, just as much as his long term partner Zomby, influenced 1000s of younger writers.
Robbo
Robbo
Robbo, along with Drax defined the tube scene of the early 1990s. in 2010 he gained a lot of publicity through an ongoing feud with street artist, Banksy. This feud culminated in the Channel 4 documentary "Graffiti Wars" which aired in August 2011. Currently in a coma following an accident in 2011.
Fume
Fume
Along with Teach, Zomby, Cosa he is the one of the main members of the strongest era of DDS, and even London graffiti. His piece at Royal Oak is the London equivalent of the Saber piece on LA river. Probably the most recognisable name to the general public along with Robbo & Tox.
Drax
Drax
Drax - World Domination. A real spokesperson for the culture, he was the King of the city for many years, as he stated in the documentary, Kings & Toys- he would get night buses to all corners of London and just walk home bombing. In later years he travelled the world catching throwups and tags, and piecing on beautiful women. You can follow him here flickr.com/draxwd
Cosa
Cosa
Cosa - All City Bitch. Renowned for living the life of a true writer - he still to this day bombs central London with throw-ups more than anyone else...
Tox
Tox
For the period between 2001-2007 every single carriage of every single train on every single run had a Tox tag on it. Currently serving a 27 month sentence in prison for graffiti.
Zomby
Zomby
A true all rounder. Zomby has been painting tubes and maybe even trains longer than anyone in the history of graffiti. A hugely respected style writer as well, his simple, hard letters have been copied by thousands over the country in the past 20 years.