Rek - Graffiti Artist Interview
February 2009
Interview with Rek, a UK graffiti artist who has just been released fom serving a jail sentence for graffiti related crimes but is planning on making a comeback. Rek, who paints with the YBS Crew and TU Crew, speaks about how he was caught and what affect being prosecuted will have on his graffiti in the future.
Graffiti piece by Rek - Southbank Centre, London
How old are you?
20.
Where are you based?
London baby.
How long have you been painting / writing?
5 years.
How did you get into graffiti and what made you start painting?
It was the influence of other real graffers. I used to see a clean wall and not pay no attention to it and then the next day some crazy piece would be up on the wall, I wanted to be apart of it and so that's were it pretty much kicked off for me. I then started seeing trains with dubs on and it became a hobby/addiction for me.
Where did you paint your first piece?
Camden Football Pitch back in the day.
How would you describe your style?
My own!
How did you choose the name Rek?
I always had a problem with people telling me what to do as a child… people said I was uncontrollable, wild and 'REK'less. People started callin me Rek and it just stuck with me.
Do you write under any other names?
Nah.
Do you write with any crews and if so which ones?
- YBS Crew
- TU Crew (The Untouchables)
The Untouchables is a crew that started in 1987 and was formed by Steam, it is still on going today and has gained a lot of respect over the years.
I'll have to get straight to the big burning question… you have recently been released from jail for graffiti related offences, what happened, how were you caught, what were you charged with and how long did you end up having to serve at Her Majesty's pleasure?
Police put out a surveillance team to catch "REK", they put cameras up everywhere I had painted. One night I went graffin', to hit a recent spot that had been buffed and I had a mask on the bottom half of my face but it was not enough to hide my identity. Two days later 14 police officers raided my house, they took my blackbook, photos, camera and laptops but they coud only prove what was on the cctv. I got charged with a large number of criminal damage offences and so I was sent to jail.
I believe your case made it into a few newspapers, is this true?
Yeah, it's true, it made two papers.
Had you ever been caught before for graffiti related offences?
Yeah, but I got a caution because I was a younger.
Now that you have been released are you under any conditions which may affect your ability to create graffiti going forward?
I've been given a 5 year asbo and my conditions are that I'm not aloud to carry any graffiti related equipment… even down to a biro pen or a pencil.
Rek
Yeah, I've been given a 5 year asbo and my conditions are that I'm not aloud to carry any graffiti related equipment… even down to a biro pen or a pencil. I've also been banned from many areas in London and I'm on license which means I can't leave the country for a number of months.
Will the term in jail you have recently served combined with the fact getting caught again will land you straight back inside change your outlook on graffiti and where and how you paint? Will you be concentrating more on painting legal spots in the future?
It ain't really changed my outlook at all… apart from not to get caught again! As for legals, it kinda kills the main buzz I get in the first place but taht said I'm sure you would catch me at a legal on a nice hot sunny day with a few of my boys, a few beverages and a portable stereo banging out some Choice FM or BBC 1 Xtra.
I guess going forward you will be doing your best to keep your identity anonymous when doing illegals?
Yeah, 100 percent! Police are on it these days so I will be going stealth mode from now on.
There is a very fine line between those who see graffiti as art and those who see it as vandalism, what are your views on this?
To be fair, graffiti is a form of vandalism to an extent… what with people going round tagging their names everywhere. Personally I mostly only do pieces so I see that as art but either way I see myself as a artist and a vandal.
What are you feelings about the graffiti scene in the UK at present and has much changed while you have been away?
To be honest, it seems a bit slow. I blame the rubbish weather because nobody is feeling this coldness when they could be in their warm yards, I also blame the buff… but still it's no excuse. Since I've been out the goverment have been buffing pretty much everything which is making it harder for writers to get up and so some have just seemed to give up if you ask me.
Have you done many collaborations with artists overseas or travelled abroad for your art and if so then where is the most exciting or interesting place you have painted?
I've been on licence meaning I'm not aloud out the country for a certain amount of time, however I have made plans to go France once my licence has expired.
Graffiti piece by Rek, Zomby and Teach (2005)
Have you ever done any commercial work and if so what would you say was your most well known piece?
I wouldn't say it was well known but I did some commercial work in a local youth center and the piece's were pretty impressive.
If you have ever done any commercial work have you ever put any hidden messages in the pieces you have produced for clients?
Nah, not really, I'm sure one day I will!
Has graffiti ever provided a full-time career for you at any point or would you ever consider trying to make a full-time career from graffiti?
Not at the moment, but who knows what the future has instore? If you were paying me as much as Banksy then I would be a happy man.
Is there any one point in your career as a writer you would class as 'your big break'?
I think I'm still young and I don't feel I have reached my full potential as a artist/vandal but I'm sure my 'big break' will one day come.
What do you see as your greatest achievement to date?
My biggest achivement is making a name for myself. I started out as nothing, just like everyone else, but I think it's pretty good how after getting up people started to recognise Rek where as before I just wasn't known at all in the graffiti scene.
What are your thoughts on graffiti being just a likely to be found in a gallery as on the streets these days?
I think it's good but personally I'm more of a undeground graffer, I'm not really in to all this legal gallery stuff going on at the moment but if you were to pay me as much as Banksy then I would be happy to comply.
Have you ever had your work displayed in a gallery and if so is there any one exhibition that stands out from all the rest?
To me the world is an art gallery and my gallery is London. I feel the whole of London is an exhibition itself.
Rek
To me the world is an art gallery and my gallery is London. I feel the whole of London is an exhibition itself.
There seems to have been a sudden surge of interest in graffiti and street art recently, why do you think this is?
There's always going to be a surge in graffiti because there's always a new era of youngsters growing up who at some stage in their life will write or spray on a wall, it's just a part of growin up. As for most street art, well it's legal. People are worried about the consequences if they get caught and so prefer to stick to legal street art… but it's all good.
Do you see yourself as an artist or a graffiti writer?
I see myself as an artist, graffiti writer and vandal.
Which other artists work do you admire?
- Teach
- Zomby
- Dasone
- Cantwo
- Elk
- Steam
- Shek
- Zonk
- Cosa
- Ganja
- Bond
- Chop
- Diet
- Fume
- Sub
- Bosh
- Cope2
- Seen
- Stax
- Korsa
I could sit here all day and name so many! It's all about the people who have repped from day and are still reppin'!
Which other graffiti artists would you most like to work with if given the chance?
Anyone who can relate to the way I feel about graffiti, from good to bad, everyone starts somewhere.
What is your preferred medium for making marks with?
Any.
What is your colour of choice?
My favourtie is baby blue… but I love blending all colours, being imaginative and going crazy.
What is your favourite surface to paint on?
Any surface! I like trains a lot (top to bottom) but as long as it's a nice space and in good view then it's fine with me.
Do you have a favourite piece of all time?
Of my own, no. Of other graffers, yeah, there's a few.
What kind of music are you into?
- Grime
- Old skool garage
- Funky house
- Bashment
- R&B
- Hip-hop
- A few golden oldies!
What is the last album you bought?
I ain't bought an album in time, I download my tunes these days.
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue graffing for as long as I can and not to get caught again! I just want to get up as much as I can and let the future run its own course.
Anything else you would like to add?
STOP SLACKIN', START GRAFFIN', FUCK THE BUFF AND GET UP!
Comments
A THROW-UP is a more complex version of a tag.as you well kno ASET While many see graffiti to be the Wild West of art, there actually are some strict guidelines which all graffiti artists follow. As Wimsatt says in Bomb the Suburbs, every city has its own rules for graffiti, but some are universal. They are as follows: 1. Never go over any work done by dead artists unless you are a close friend and are doing it to memorialize the work. 2. YOU MAY PIECE OVER TAGS AND THROW-UPS, BUT NEVER TAG OVER A PIECE.
Posted by REK on Friday, 13th February 2009 at 05:29:34
haha.. id standardly take out an aset peice wiv a reach or throwy..nnot long.. ;) ... all the gays
sum plots on jubileee line 4 me 2 take ;)
Posted by bob da builder on Friday, 13th February 2009 at 09:42:49
That's a laughable comeback, he's the godfather of graff. Anyway what's done is done its a shame but whatever. I've always had time for ybs, see you man round the high st soon. And Bob you want to write your tag or what :)
Posted by Aset on Friday, 13th February 2009 at 17:18:28
laughable come bak! get real!.this happend about 2 years ago now and ive seen u a good few times since den and u aint sed shit!? den u wona jump on this interview with sum negative vibe about shame claim to fame bullshit talk. u shud no me better than that real talk, den u wona talk about uve always had time for ybs reh teh teh. after u jus try mock me and my crew stop acting up u fool.
Posted by REK on Friday, 13th February 2009 at 18:09:54
I told you when I saw you and tens on road. You should have just put your hands up and said it was a mistake. Now its out there.
Posted by Aset on Friday, 13th February 2009 at 20:44:43
i dont remember that and neither does tens!? mistake!? now im baffled? and i dont need to put my hands up coz i aint denieing anyfink!!!!!! i took out a his fro-up wid my piece big deal do your self a favour build a bridge and get over it. coz its been nearly 3years. blessss
Posted by REK on Saturday, 14th February 2009 at 12:40:48
Aset sounds like a total toy. And a dick for bringing down party. But yeah. Throw-ups are cool, pieces are cool. But when one can mix the two it's amazing.
Posted by SUB3 on Monday, 16th February 2009 at 06:39:47
nah nah aset aint toy hes got mad talent trust. i jus dont like the way he cums with his negative vibe after nearly 3 years. buts its not even a big deal i kno him personaly so its not like its sum random dude talkin shit but yeah nice one for the comment brudda peaceee
Posted by REK on Monday, 16th February 2009 at 16:39:17
BIG UP REK HES BEEN KILLIN IT LATELY
Posted by THE BRIXTON BOMBER on Saturday, 21st February 2009 at 17:28:24
check u out giving interviews,think you som celeb up in here lol..
REK is still out there doing his thing after jail time and an ASBO lol a true bomber so big up yourself bro..
The Untouchables 1987-2009 and still going...Big up STEAM,GANGA,SAE,HOPA,RIME,ALEKS,AVEA,REK,AVEK,HELL,CHICO,SKY,MANE,KREM,TEAM, RECKER,DIET,PIES and RIP RASE TU and EVIL TU..
Posted by EKSIT TU....The Untouchables.... on Friday, 27th February 2009 at 13:04:43
ahahahahhahhahahahh..... rek u must be joking son ...thatz a lose move .
Posted by ? on Monday, 9th March 2009 at 01:38:42
rek is a toy blood .. what the fuck u guyz on....
Posted by big pimp on Monday, 9th March 2009 at 10:48:29
cumin from the guy who rites BIG PIMP, get real, at least state ur tag and den we will c wot ur sayin den init
Posted by REK on Monday, 9th March 2009 at 17:55:40
nice style man
Posted by skate on Tuesday, 10th March 2009 at 15:56:33
How would someone go about learning to dub, Rek?
Posted by ER. on Tuesday, 10th March 2009 at 22:00:22
desgin a sketch ur happy with on paper.. get a mdf wooden board or sutin u can re-paint, over and over again, or even go to a legal spot, den copy ur design from the paper to wot ever ur paintin on, use a lite colour for ur first outline until it looks jus like it did on the paper. den fill it in with witch ever colours u like, den after u have filled it in. get a black and re-outline it, add shadin etc, and jus practise practise as much as u can, until u no longer need 2 look at the paper, unless ur design is to complex to memorize, but ur get got good hand/can control and speed, den go paint a train! any more qwestions lemmie kno. bless
Posted by REK on Wednesday, 11th March 2009 at 15:01:19
Sub3 would a toy be taking Seen and PJ out painting... "Bringing down the party" ill bring your mums face down to my dick party.
Posted by Aset on Tuesday, 24th March 2009 at 15:51:26
Don't personally know any of the characters involved in this little argument here, but I think it was a disrespectful move to take out Seen and PJ (two legends who blessed London with their presence) - and it can't justified as being within the 'rules'. Basically, Rek just took out two superior writers out of jealousy or a quick way to get people talking. Oh yeah, Sub3 you don't know what the fuck you're talking about and I suggest you get a new tag as London already has a Sub.
Posted by Shek on Wednesday, 25th March 2009 at 14:39:05
do u kno wot it was a disrespectful move! but wots dun is dun its been about 3 years now and the wall did get buffed after a while. and shek it wernt coz i was jelouse or wonted people talkin. at the time i jus didnt care as it was a fro-up. and i did not take out no pj.
Posted by REK on Wednesday, 25th March 2009 at 21:49:48
Thanks for puttin me straight fella.....keep on gettin up!
Posted by Shek on Thursday, 26th March 2009 at 08:41:47
YH REK BEEN HURTIN IT STILL BUT ATG DO BETTER SHIT BUT DAY AINT ON DIS FINK ANYMORE DER DIEIN OUT MANS ON DIS TING ME OFER AND RUDE INIT
Posted by MILZ/ MEDO UGA on Friday, 27th March 2009 at 00:08:26
im sure seen went over legends at one time to try and get his name up...
Posted by Fetus on Wednesday, 1st April 2009 at 23:28:00
Even if seen did take out legends way back when, he still would have got stick for doing it.
Posted by Jon5 on Sunday, 5th April 2009 at 19:30:37
cool
Posted by dc on Tuesday, 7th April 2009 at 15:51:17
REK GREAT GRAFFER...HOW COULD I GET IN YOUR CREW???
I SAW YOUR NEW DUB IN KENSAL GREEN STATION SICKKKK REK,FUTAR
PEACEE
Posted by ... on Thursday, 7th May 2009 at 20:29:00
nice interview rek. biggup ybs tu.
Posted by PHEWZION on Saturday, 23rd May 2009 at 12:23:51
im just a small time graffer but i wanna be big and known like you lots but ive already been nicked and im not on paying them big fines. graffiti is my favorite thing but people dont have enough respect for it and people take the mic to much about being toy. i have the respect for graff.
Posted by CLOK GOOF FLT OA on Saturday, 30th May 2009 at 22:20:27
This is what got taken out im guessing, found on ATG-
DUMB
Also see: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ba1yi9jfipi/sikhul0piki/aaaaaaaaawu/-vro4unhpk8/s1600-h/img_2467.jpg
Posted by Ol W-london Grafboy on Monday, 1st June 2009 at 01:17:09
the link didnt work check the atg blog
Posted by same on Monday, 1st June 2009 at 01:19:17
your fuckin people are on drugs or something shut the fuck up and go do some damage
Posted by foe on Saturday, 13th June 2009 at 21:03:21
word to youe mother ,,,, bitches....
Posted by ? on Wednesday, 8th July 2009 at 21:52:06
some clueless toy interview anyone wanna learn how not to do things got a encylopedia here as wel as alot of bait unnecesary shit talk biggin urself up aint gettin up YUNGUN
Posted by TOYS on Tuesday, 4th August 2009 at 22:42:47
REPLY TO Posted by TOYS on Tuesday, 4th August 2009 at 22:42:47
YOUR HATIN STRAGHT UP AND DOWN SAY NO MORE!
Posted by ... on Friday, 7th August 2009 at 04:58:47
haha fuck it aint seen any new plots of u rek lately ur shit got buffed on da kb high road
Posted by medo on Saturday, 22nd August 2009 at 01:25:36
LOl why the fuck did anyone do an interview with this toy LOL look at the main picture some dry 3 colour messy dub done with scraps at southbank LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL and hes been taking out Seen NY! HAHAHAHAHA This is a joke, surely.
Posted by Canned goods your mad! on Monday, 7th September 2009 at 17:10:32
REK- i want to be in your crew man, e-mail me if u wanna see some of my blackbook work as i have not taken any pics of my spraying but i can if u want them, my e-mail is peter_griffin_545@hotmail.com. thnks
Posted by toxic on Monday, 14th September 2009 at 17:42:22
yo i dont want u to think im taken ur name but i go by rak to i stay in chicago,il on 35th and rockwell.the reason im rek is because im also reckless jut want to say i admire youre work
Posted by ReK1 on Thursday, 24th September 2009 at 16:41:15
oi toxic i seen ur stuff. im sorry but no ur shit and u cont be in ybs but u can b in tu
Posted by rek1 on Sunday, 11th October 2009 at 23:45:46
anyone seen putting up TU will pay...trust...as for all the hate on REK YBS TU you should ease it up a bit,he does his thing unlike a lot of you talking on here......
The Untouchables....
STEAM
RIME
GANGA
SAE
SKY
SIR BEAU
ALEKS
TEAM
SEISE
AVEA
SOZ
HOPA
EKSIT
KREM
REK
LEET
FIGA
PIES
RIP RASE
RIP ZERO
RIP HELL
RIP EVIL
TU 1987..2009
Posted by FEANER TU on Thursday, 29th October 2009 at 22:21:38
toxic sorry fam but start ur own crew. rek1 rak wot ever u call urself, stop gassin, ..... about,,,,
''oi toxic i seen ur stuff. im sorry but no ur shit and u cont be in ybs but u can b in tu'''
Posted by rek1 on Sunday, 11th October 2009 at 23:45:46
AND ALL THESE HATERS CAN SUCK MY DICK, MEDO UR PISSED SAY NO MORE.!
wots goood FEANER TU BLESS FOR THE COMMENT FAM!
Posted by REK YBS TU on Monday, 9th November 2009 at 16:39:19
WAT U ON ABOUT WHOS HATEIN BRUV
Posted by MEDO UGAAAA on Sunday, 20th December 2009 at 19:54:16
2 many haters out der boi, big up rek,smashed norf west.
Posted by STOPA on Friday, 5th March 2010 at 15:18:25
Yo Rek, you add Seen as one of your most respected writers, only when he came to this country and I took him out painting you later covered him and him with a rek dub, the PJ next to it was also taken out ( i have the photos). Probably one of the best bits of graff history in this country. The whole thing is clean now but what a shame claim to fame.
Posted by Aset ATG on Friday, 13th February 2009 at 01:17:24