Before we move onto our 3rd issue, I’d like to touch on some of the responses — or lack of — from our last newsletter. Out of 4, 700 people that read it, we received only ten direct responses! Two I received personally from PJAY UA and TERROR 161. Interestingly, though, a majority of responses were left on other sites. The writers who responded, with the exception of a half dozen or so of our own members, refused to use their real names! If this was 1980 I could understand. But it’s not; It’s 2009 —29 years later. Come on people!
I have to admit that the last MPC newsletter was triggered by my anger provoked by CAP’s disloyalty and infantile behavior. But it was an MPC newsletter, yes, for the entire world to see. But nonetheless, you won’t see that topic in any future publication. This brings me to my next point.
I was surprised that out of 4, 700 people, only a handful had come to CAP’s defense. You might find this strange, but that bothers me because these are the same people — with an exception of a few — that acted like they had CAP’s back. Robbie, if you’re reading this you might want to take a look at that fact. They act like they’re in MPC, but really they used him for their own protection and benefit while he was in his prime. Today, those same people haven’t done shit for him. I spoke to a lot of people on the phone who said things like, “Slip, MPC means a lot to me!” “Slip, a lot of people called me about that newsletter!” Well, what did they say? I would like to know because none of them have the balls to say it publicly or privately! Over 4, 700 people read the newsletter, but no comments?
I’m especially disappointed in all the crews that are our peers – the same ones that run many graffiti sites and publish books today but haven’t documented MPC history accurately and honestly. At best they have some bullshit blurb about CAP going over people, at worst that we’re a bunch of racists. But nothing about being one of the largest graff crews in New York and now in existence for over 30 years? Are you people fucking kidding me?
Then there are people (not all, but most) who say, “I’m in MPC.” But they’re full of shit! Through the years, and even now, they use CAP’s actions (you know the one’s I’m talking about) and reputation from back in the day to benefit themselves when it’s convenient by saying I was down with CAP and MPC. But you’ll never see those same people put MPC up when they’re piecing with other people or crews! But they’ll pump MPC proud on my MySpace page or in a personal email to me. You know who I’m talking about. And, of course, they rep the crew when they’re posing with CAP for a pretty pic to post on the internet — or, my personnel favorite, when they go over someone! Yo, if you’re down with MPC, then put it up – or shut up. Stop being the fucking phony you are!
In closing, I’d like to say that I don’t have time to dispute all the internet bullshit and concocted stories of some people, writers. But, hopefully, we’re one step closer to not only telling MPC history, but also the late ’70s-early-’80s New York City graff scene from our unique experiences and cultural perspectives. As some of you know, I don’t bullshit. I don’t need to. I say this because I’m fortunate enough and proud of the fact to have lived with TRACY 168 and BILLY 167; I bombed trains with BLADE and COMET; I knew SEEN UA before he became “The God Father of Graffiti”; and I started Morris Park Crew — yes, the crew that CAP 1 from Style Wars asked to be in. So to those of you who embellish your history to the point of embarrassment, and say you started writing in so and so year, and you did such and such: stop that shit!
The intention of the newsletter was to get people involved. But, considering the last topic, I understand the lack of participation. Some of the future topic’s we’ll cover on the blog will be things like:
- Who do you think are the most influential pioneer writers of all time and why? Examples: CORNBREAD, TAKI 183, PHASE 2, CLIFF 159, TRACY 168, SUPERKOOL 223, FLINT 707, etc.
- What pioneer writer was one of the 1st to do murals with aerosol for money?
- What writer or crew has taken the art form to new levels? How?
- Who produced the best whole cars? Why? Examples: LEE, DONDI, SEEN, BLADE, etc.
- Who had the best style of lettering? Why? Examples: TKID 170, DUSTER UA, PART TDS, SKEME TMT, SHY 147, DONDI CIA, etc.
- Who are some of the most overlooked writers in history and why?
- Who were the best partners? Examples: TEAN and KADE TMT, BLADE and COMET TC5, DONDI and DURO CIA, REVOLT and ZEPHYR RTW, etc.
Peace,
SLIP 3
