Ed Koch’s War On Graffiti

Former New York City mayor Ed Koch died today of congestive heart failure. He was 88 years old. During his incumbency, Koch witnessed the birth of hip-hop and death of graffiti—well, at least on the subway. eskay reminded me of his appearance in the film, Style Wars. He launched an anti-graffiti campaign, built a fortress, and ushered in a herd of “white elephants”. Even up to his death, he remained steadfast on his position. In an ironic twist, the documentary Koch premieres in theaters today.

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  1. LIQUORSTOREMAN says:

    WOW…….YOU HAD TO BE REMINDED ABOUT HIS PART IN STYLEWARS, B? REALLY, THO? THIS IS A HIPHOP SITE……SMH.

    1. B.Dot says:

      @LIQUORSTOREMAN
      ^
      uh, its called a reminder. It’s an obvious hip-hop tie in, so why not post.

  2. 90's hip hop was wack too.. don't front says:

    Though I hated Koch as a mayor overall, his stance on grafitti was right. You cannot deface property that does not belong to you just because YOU think your work looks good. I use to hate goin on the subways back in the day on the C train, seeing it bombed up and filthy. I went to Art & Design High School with most of the legends… but still.. a peice can be dope and worth enjoing… but not at the expense of someone elses property…

  3. abrooklyn says:

    rip koch!! NYC SHIT!!

  4. hilly says:

    ^liquor….I thought b dot lived and breathes this culture¿

  5. Chummuk Chalo says:

    Who really owns what?

  6. LIQUORSTOREMAN says:

    What Im saying is: HOW DO U NOT KNOW STYLEWARS ENUFF TO NOT HAVE TO BE REMINDED THAT ED KOCH WAS IN IT? THATS WHAT IM SAYING.

    You seem to know a lot about the culture in yer posts, so it puzzles me that a friend had to nudge yer shoulder on who was in the flick.

    ANY NYC cat who claims to breathe this “hiphop” culture must, at least, know the classics IN AND OUT.

    If not, you cant look down on anyone else or claim to be an authority in the genre.

    Uh, it’s called KNOWING YER SHIT, SO WHY NOT KNOW YER SHIT?

    Im from the era where you had to know the classics to even be able to speak. You had to know Wildstyle, you had to know Stylewars, New York Hot Trax was poppin, Snapbacks were just called CAPS, Chris Thomas and Prince Dejour were hosting Rap City, mixtapes were really on fuckin tapes.

    Im just an elder rap ngga who tends to smack a young rap mgga’s hand here and there.

    Carry on tho.

    1. B.Dot says:

      Hence the word: reminder. I own the DVD. Even had Kay Slay signed my copy.

  7. Phil says:

    ^ The people who pay for it and are subsequently entitled to that property by way of the Constitution of the United States.

    Learn to read.

  8. Gtothefo says:

    Lmao at any supposed fan of hiphop culture saying graffiti violates property. When McDonalds forks over millions then its ok to cover NY with billboards but when an artist puts their time and talent into a piece it’s vandalism? You’ve got it backwards bro, capitalism has rotted your mind.

  9. ARTOXICATION says:

    Much respect to Ed Koch and his family. Rest In Power. All sides of the graffiti world are equally important. Death is no positive for any community.

  10. mac DIESEL says:

    I REMEMBER SEEIN’ THIS DUDE ON A FIELD TRIP AT CITY HALL WHEN I WAS IN THE 4TH GRADE!!!! P.S. 19 UP IN THIS BITCH!!!! HA!!!!

    DON’T HATE ON MY OPINION!!!!

  11. Bleeding Frogs says:

    Elder Rap Nigga= unemployable

  12. LIQUORSTOREMAN says:

    Elder Rap Nigga = YN?

  13. ZZZzzzZZZ says:

    “BITCH DISS AINT NO STYLE WAR.. THIS RIGHT HERE !s SHOTTA”

  14. Yeezus Christ says:

    i love penis

  15. GreenBeitz says:

    Oh word..I dont fucks wit him

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