Graffiti as we know it today was born in the streets and subway tunnels of New York City. What began as simple tags scribbled by teenagers evolved into a powerful visual language—one that shaped global street culture and continues to influence art, fashion and design.
The Origins: Late 1960s to Early 1970s
Modern graffiti first emerged in the late 1960s, when young people began writing their nicknames—or “tags”—across buildings and public spaces. TAKI 183 is widely recognised as one of the first to gain citywide fame, tagging his name across subway lines and streets, turning his alias into a phenomenon.
Another early figure, Julio 204, is often credited as one of the original writers, inspiring others to adopt the format of name + street number.
At this stage, graffiti was about one thing: getting up—having your name seen everywhere. The subway system became the ultimate canvas, carrying tags across the entire city.
The Explosion: 1970s to Early 1980s
By the mid-to-late 1970s, graffiti had evolved from simple tags into more complex styles. Artists began experimenting with colour, scale and lettering. “Bubble letters” gave way to the intricate and hard-to-read wildstyle, a defining feature of New York graffiti.
This era introduced legendary writers such as:
• Tracy 168 – credited with coining “wildstyle”
• Dondi – known for iconic subway pieces
• Lady Pink – one of the most prominent female writers
• PHASE 2 – pioneer of lettering styles
• Stay High 149 – recognisable for his signature figure
Graffiti became deeply connected to the rise of hip-hop culture, alongside DJing, MCing and breakdancing. It was more than vandalism—it was identity, rebellion and visibility for marginalised youth.
The Golden Era: The 1980s
The 1980s are widely considered the peak of old school graffiti. Subway trains were covered end-to-end in vibrant murals, and competition between crews pushed creativity to new levels.
Artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat (who tagged under SAMO), Keith Haring, and Futura 2000 helped bridge the gap between street art and the fine art world.
Meanwhile, writers like Zephyr and others were defining styles still used today, turning graffiti into a recognised art form rather than just a street activity.
However, this era also saw heavy crackdowns. By the late 1980s, New York authorities declared the subway system “graffiti-free”, pushing artists off trains and into galleries or other spaces.
Style and Culture: What Defined “New York Style”?
Old school New York graffiti had a few defining traits:
• Tags: Quick, repeatable signatures
MotherJ is my tag. I am beginning a new career as a graffiti artist at age 50.
• Throw-ups: Larger, bubble-letter pieces done quickly
• Wildstyle: Complex, interlocking letters
• Subway art: Moving canvases seen across boroughs
It was competitive, fast-paced, and rooted in visibility. If your name wasn’t seen, you didn’t exist.
The Scene Today
Graffiti hasn’t disappeared—it’s evolved. Today’s scene is a mix of:
• Street art and murals (often legal or commissioned)
• Gallery exhibitions featuring former writers
• Global influence, from London to Tokyo
While traditional “bombing” still exists, many artists now balance illegal tagging with commercial work. The rebellious spirit remains, but the platform has expanded.
Importantly, the legacy of old school New York graffiti still shapes everything from graphic design to fashion branding. The DNA of those early subway writers is everywhere.
Final Thoughts
Old school graffiti wasn’t just about paint on walls—it was about presence, identity and voice. From the early tags of TAKI 183 to the full-colour subway masterpieces of the 1980s, New York created a culture that spread across the globe.
Today, whether on a gallery wall or a back alley, graffiti still carries that same message:
“I was here.”
Here are five popular ways artists fill in letters in graffiti text art, each giving a very different look and energy to a piece:
1. Solid Fill (Flat Colour)
The simplest approach—letters are filled with one bold, flat colour.
This style is clean, highly visible, and often used for throw-ups or quick pieces where speed matters.
2. Fade / Gradient Fill
Colours blend smoothly from one to another (e.g. red to orange, or blue to purple).
This creates depth and movement, making the letters feel more dynamic and eye-catching.
3. Chrome Fill
A classic old school technique where letters are filled with silver or grey tones to mimic a metallic shine.
Often paired with highlights and reflections, it gives that iconic “subway-era” look.
4. Pattern Fill
Letters are filled with repeating designs such as stripes, dots, checkerboards, flames, or even textures like bricks or clouds.
This adds personality and can make a piece stand out from a distance.
5. 3D / Shadow Fill
Instead of a flat fill, artists add depth by shading inside the letters or extending them into 3D blocks.
This gives a sculpted, almost architectural feel, making the text appear to pop off the wall.
