Des MPC Interview @149st

DES MPC INTERVIEW

©2002, 2003 @149st Do not republish without permission.

Where and what year did you start writing on trains?
The first bombing took place at Esplanade stick-outs in the winter of '84. It was an eye opening experience with the lay-ups all lit up and walking up to those trains. That smell of the tracks hit me and I was addicted immediately.

What inspired you to become involved in writing?
The area where I grew up was close to the 2,5 and 6 lines. Seeing the productions that the early pioneer writers were doing caught my eye. There were the bombers and the burners. Both doing damage their own way. The group of writers I hung out with were split. Some wanted quantity and others wanted quality. I guess I was split between the two. Artists like CAP MPC showed me that fame could be attained with more on the lines and SEEN UA showed me that a piece with colors and designs could rock the show too.

Did you have a mentor?
I guess the first person who showed me any graffiti styles was SICK from the Castle Hill area in the Bronx. We went to grammar school together and used to bomb using the old El Markos around the neighborhood. He actually took graffiti into a new direction doing murals for money before it was considered and his Nome de plume "FISCHETTI" is known throughout the graf world.

Who influenced your style?
Honestly, I have had some people throughout my graf stage who influenced me. Early on was CAP MPC, who showed me that a quick throw-up would get me known and on the map. Through the developmental piecing stage was SENT ONE and SEEN. They opened my eyes on different styles, outlines, colors and designs. Towards the end, I always liked SHAME125th TAT, which was somewhat of a taboo since MPC and TAT weren't getting along much. The influence I saw in his designs was a combination of the previous styles. Simple outlines with colors and quantity.

How did you get your name?
My first name was JADE 161. I couldn't get the letters flowing just right. Sometimes the J and A would go then I would mind block on the D and E. so I came up with DES after fiddling with my last name.

List all the other names under which you have painted?
I bombed with DES, JADE 161, and KASA mainly. I did some solo shots with PUNK, VIC, JUMPS, OMENS and ALONE.

What borough are you originally from?
Boogie Down Bronx.

What lines have you hit?
Mainly 2, 5 and 6. I also did some letters like the D, CC's with some throw-ups.

Who were your most successful partners?
In the beginning it was SICK. Later I bombed with ELF, CAVS, MKAY. During the end of my graf life it was mainly DOSE and MANNY MPC.

What crews have you written for?
Kings Taking Control (KTC), Down to Party (DTP), Morris Park Crew (MPC), Graffiti Unlimited (GU), All Out Kings (AOK), TNB (The Nasty Boyz), Subway Vandals (SV), Masters Burning Together (MBT), The Mob (TM), Stormtroopers of Death (SOD), Too Much Paint (TMP)

How did you join MPC?
I was introduced to them through SMILEY DTP. I had already met AD MPC when he wrote Band 3 prior to that and then everything started from there.

Did you have any memorable conflicts with other crews on the subway?
We used to chase people from Esplanade and then get chased, nothing too memorable.

Any good raid stories?
One night there was a bunch of us at the Esplanade stick-outs, some piecing some doing throw-ups and some just hanging. We hear the click on the tracks and went into stealth mode noticing the train coming was moving really slow, lights off. Next thing we know, all the doors on the lay-ups open, lights on someone screams "RAID" and we all scatter. Some run the tracks, some run the station, others jumped off the ROOK 2 trestle. Not this time Officer Vincent Nitti and your Vandal Squad.

Who were the best writers of your era?
I left New York in 1988 to join the Navy. I did some pieces every now and then when I came back home on leave. But it didn't feel the same as the days on the trains.

Do you have any closing words?
Even though I am no longer in New York, I still try to keep up with the graf world as much as I can. New writers are doing things with paint that are amazing but it isn't the same as seeing your name rolling on a 80 foot steel canvas. I respect that they are keeping the art alive. The first chance that I do get to return back to New York, I wouldn't mind getting nostalgic and piecing for old times sake. Shout outs to my boys and copartners in crime back in time DOSE, MANNY RIP, ELF, ED, CAVS, MKAY, BEM, PAWS RIP, BRACE, CAP, AD, ROOK RIP, TUNE, SENT, SANE, AID and all the others I painted with.

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