Where would we "pioneers" be
without the present?
I'll tell you where, in the past!
— P.H.A.S.E. 2 (Aelle magazine)
Phase 2 is universally recognized as one of the founding fathers of style writing. His countless aesthetic innovations have helped transform writing from a local phenomenon into a global artistic movement.
Present from the time Hip Hop was taking the shape we all know today, Phase 2 has been active as a DJ, dancer, and MC. His dance crew, Electrified Movement, introduced key moves like uprocking. In 1982, he released memorable singles such as "The Roxy" and "Beach Boy," featuring an innovative flow that blended rap with sung parts. That same year, he participated in the first Hip Hop tour sponsored by Europe1, "NYC RAP," contributing both as a writer and DJ/MC, and designing the logos for the event poster. He elevated the aesthetics of Hip Hop flyers with his often-imitated "funky nous deco" style: geometric shapes, original ink drawings, photographic collages, silhouettes, and creative slogans were part of his distinctive look. In 1975, he joined the United Graffiti Artists, a professional collective of writers established by Hugo Martinez, which held the first New York show entirely dedicated to Writing. In 1986, he began a collaboration as an Art Director and author with IGTimes, the first international publication dedicated to writing, founded by David Schimdlapp. This collaboration reached its peak in 1996 with the publication of the book "Style: Writing from the Underground," a crucial document on the origins of the movement.
In 1994, Phase 2 was honored with the "Source Award" in recognition of his significant contribution to Hip Hop culture. Phase 2 chose to remain an "underground artist"; the authenticity and dedication that characterized his artistic vision are the same qualities he has used to preserve and promote the roots and values of the culture he witnessed emerging.
Gallery
⚠ — All photographs in the following sections have been sourced from public internet sources. Therefore, copyright and intellectual property rights remain with the respective photographers and rights holders. If you are the photographer or rights holder of any of the images here and would like to request credit or have the image removed from the gallery, please contact us.
Appears on
— 14K Magazine 6, 1989
— The Original Videograf Series 1, 1989
— On The Run, Special double 1, 1993
— Vibe, 1994
— Represent 8, 1995
— Rap Pages Special: Graff Page, 1996
— Graphotism 7, 1997
— Backjumps 11, 1997
— Backjumps 12, 1997
— Backjumps 15, 1998
— Backjump Sketchbook, 1999
— Aerosol Kingdom: Subway Painters of New York City, 2002
— Wax Poetics 12, 2005
— Classic Hits: New York’s Pioneering Subway Graffiti Writers, 2012
Kill tha G word — The italian year of P.H.A.S.E. 2
"Kill Tha G Word - The Italian Years of P.H.A.S.E. 2” pays tribute to Phase 2's battle to abolish the term Graffiti, a label imposed by the media in the '70s on the emerging writing movement, of which he was a founding father and innovator.
The book takes us on a journey through major Italian cities, showcasing photos, drawings, graphics, and notes from the artist, spanning from 1984 to his last appearance in 2012. This valuable material has been made available thanks to contributions from key figures in the Italian Hip Hop scene, who have shared their memories and testimonies.
Curated by Maurizio D'Apollo
Dimensions: 24x30 cm
Pages: 412
Cover: Hardcover with silver foil printing and screen printing on front.
Paper: 140 gr natural paper
Photos: About 300, all in full color
Languages: Italian and English
First edition november 2024. Limited to 1000 copies
©2023.All rights reserved — See you in NeoTokyo™
⚠ — Tutte le fotografie presenti inelle seguenti sezioni sono state reperite da fonti pubbliche su internet. Pertanto, i diritti d'autore e di proprietà intellettuale rimangono dei rispettivi fotografi e detentori dei diritti. Se siete il fotografo o detentore dei diritti di una qualsiasi delle immagini qui presenti e desiderate che venga aggiunto il credito o che l'immagine venga rimossa dalla gallery, vi preghiamo di contattarci.
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