FDT 56 Aliases: RATED X I & 2 Started: 1971 Primary affiliations: Wanted, Salsa, 3YB Local origin: Brooklyn Main lines: All City but lived in the South Bronx during the majority of his writing career. He started his career in the late 1960s before writing had defined itself as a cohesive cultural movement. He and friends like HOY tagged their names on the streets of the Bronx. FDT was actively tagging as informal street tagging evolved into the methodical strategy that defines "Getting up". He selected his tag name from the initials of his birth name F.D.T. In the early 1970s many writers of the era began to write their street number after their names, FDT followed suit, but choose to eliminate the numeral one from 156th street in order to keep the location of his home a secret. FDT 56's subway career took off during the tag era of the early 1970s. In the following years, tags evolved into pieces and though FDT did do pieces, he would become most well known for his prolific tagging. His name was seen on streets, busses, in parks, train stations and on almost every subway line. His efforts were so significant that his social status and street credibility overshadowed many of the most artistic writers in the city. He wrote with famous crews such as The 3 Yard Boys, Salsa and Wanted. FDT had many famous partners such as HOY 56, TINE I, CLYDE, LSD and The Salsa boys among others. FDT was the first member of what was informally known as "The 56 Boys". It was not an actual crew, but more of a close knit group of family and friends bombing with the numeral 56 after their names. HOY 56, YAZ 56 tagged along with FDT in the early days. The 56 boys became a dynasty of sorts. FDT's younger brother KID 56, a legend in his own right followed in FDT's footsteps. FDT's cousin MOUSEY 56 also upheld the tradition. Longevity is a distinguishing aspect of FDT's writing career. The majority of writers who started in the early 1970s terminated their careers by the mid 1970s, while FDT 56 remained on the scene on and off up until the early 1980s. FDT's aggressive approach to writing was admired by many writers. FDT 56 unquestionably falls within the top tier of writers in New York City history. FDT 56 interview conducted January 31, 2003 by ERIC aka DEAL Back to Salsa crew page. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Copyright © 2003 @149st. All rights reserved. | Home |  Artists |  Crews |  History |  Links |  E mail | Glossary |