Mike Giant: 1996 interview: "If it doesn't have letters, it's not graffiti."

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8 жыл бұрын

I spent a lot of time with pre-tattooed Mike Giant in the late 90's working on a graffiti documentary, which was never widely released.This was filmed in San Francisco, San Diego and Los Angeles. It features stills, doodles, stickers from Mike's sketchbooks, some classic skateboard graphics, live painting with Persue in SD, collabs with Felon and Sope in SF. And a couple shots of Giant's beef with Kept. The main interview was filmed during a wander through SF Chinatown, after a long night hallucinating at a rave. SF was a graffiti wonderland at the time and there are background pieces from legends like Twist, KR, Rem, Bles and a bunch more if you keep your eyes peeled.

Пікірлер: 199

@shamm249 7 жыл бұрын

So many styles. Holy shit, dude is nice

@jt______ 7 жыл бұрын

Got to meet Mike Giant when he toured to Australia with the Rebel 8 crew, he blessed my blackbook with the 'Gi' throw and also signed his 'Eternal' book of his that i racked the year previous to meeting him. True graff fashion, no diss, peace to King GIANT!

@John-mf6ky 5 жыл бұрын

Probably one of my most favorite writers. Always loved how dude showed love to Chicano culture as well.

@jaysonstinson9458 3 ай бұрын

unfortunately my people show way too much love to non-Whites, it never ever goes both ways.

@Randomizer92mx 6 жыл бұрын

"If it doesn't have letters, it's not graffiti" - nobody should forget that

@ItsMuddles 6 жыл бұрын

nah thats not true you telling me the reader skull isnt fuckin graffiti?

@whinipooh8021 6 жыл бұрын

Dillon Jacobson no its not

@woahitstheillusion9749 6 жыл бұрын

hobo monikers aren't necessarily graffiti my guy

@joshbarth9469 4 жыл бұрын

Just because it has letters, doesn't mean it's graffiti.

@thomaswombat4182 4 жыл бұрын

Toys

@dariuspavlich6575 7 жыл бұрын

this is one of the most interesting I and personally believe one of the most important things about graff......the dude looks like he'd work at a fucken vacuum repair shop or put together computers. But guarantee back in the day I'd I said "yo let's go bombing" he'd be right there

@thomaswombat4182 4 жыл бұрын

Big call

@Nick-ny1zq 3 жыл бұрын

vacuum repair shop😂

@Seamo57 5 жыл бұрын

"Flaming Heterosexual" HA! Classic!! Damn, I feel old now!! I remember that beef w/ Kept! He burned him hard! So dope to see these old flicks! Brings back memories. I'm also from Albuquerque, it's such a dope & extremely rough city, but SF, (especially during the 90's), really had some of the best writers at that time. Many of which were also transplants but, brought so much flavor to SF. FELON, JASE, TWIST, KR, & so many others! Phenomenal time period! Great video!! Mike is such a talented, laid back dude. He's still rockin' letters... maybe less in the streets these days but, incorporating many elements into his work & really having a unique style. He's been doing such sick black-work for years! He should be sponsored by Sharpie yo! I'm not sure if he's still tattooing much these days, but his work translated perfectly to that medium. I think he was really inspired by it & Cholo fonts... they were impossible to miss in "The Burque!" He was a huge inspiration back in the day. The work he did for THINK, etc., & of course in the streets! Honestly, looking back, I think TWIST & GIANT probably had the largest impact on me in the 90's, I loved letters, but I was in love with character art too.

@freddymarcel-marcum6831 4 жыл бұрын

I'm not a graffiti guy but I'm pretty good friends with FELON, he's having some rough times but he's still up.

@SuperDonez 3 жыл бұрын

what was the beef about?

@sb-qw9mb 4 жыл бұрын

Best graff interview ever made

@CaidanceDubstep 5 жыл бұрын

Please release the full documentary! Like traveling back in time watching this...

@air142009 5 ай бұрын

What’s the name of this doc ?

@boblazar9720 3 жыл бұрын

And not a horseshit Banksy piece in sight, ah the good 'ol days....

@dalazo Жыл бұрын

Stencils aren't pieces but I get what you mean fuck Wanksy the RAT.

@Seamo57 6 жыл бұрын

RIP SOPE!!! Mike has been a phenominal artist for a long FVCKING time! Dayum.. He had mad beef w/ Kept. He ragged that piece hard. Love seeing all this mid 90's SF graff.. TWIST, FELON... mmm mmm good!

@bryantvaldez1430 8 жыл бұрын

the twisto in the background at 4:28

@SethHesio 8 жыл бұрын

Who's Twisto?

@blakedixon6775 7 жыл бұрын

The fuck mate

@TrainOp213 7 жыл бұрын

Not to mention kr and bles

@whoizyou2047 6 жыл бұрын

wasabi flavored i

@rust-0hspray156 3 жыл бұрын

@@TrainOp213 yup but giant burned that wall compared to the other guys right next to the bank of America tower wooo

@sergioduenas2583 Жыл бұрын

Wen I was 16 I usto see he's murals in San-Francisco I really like he's art. He's one my favorite writer's of all time I bought he's clothing rebel8!!!

@cam4617 7 жыл бұрын

seems like a chill dude

@gutierrezp49 7 жыл бұрын

Cam I love dirty rotten imbeciles

@rubenlopez6656 Ай бұрын

Seen alot of Giant pieces he's fresh and dope!!much respect 👍👍🔥🔥

@Oldf0x Жыл бұрын

I hung and painted with Giant the following year (I think) in London. Such a flashback!

@dillwill1813 3 жыл бұрын

always on of my favorite writers.

@airsofter2247 5 жыл бұрын

Awesome rare video, nice work

@Rockmanz_Worldz 7 жыл бұрын

Mike is an old homie from Albuquerque..... GIANT 4 LIFE!!! Hells yeah, this is great.

@millhouseforever 3 жыл бұрын

This dude in San Diego now. Real cool cat

@BLAZENYCBLACKOPS Жыл бұрын

Absolute beast, mad love from NYC.

@denoske5776 7 жыл бұрын

yo this guy seems so chill and big nerd I love it I want him as a partner

@headcold7250 6 жыл бұрын

I started writing in Albuquerque. Funny how now a "writer" who just posts videos on social media gets worshipped and this guy was just talking about dope photos and jobs he earned. Graffiti used to be so esoteric and personal pride was shown merely through skill and ups, now it's just subscribers and bullshit.

@attentionwarrior3632 6 жыл бұрын

headcoLd 7 lol its only subscribers and bullshit if you hang out on youtube and social media, your fault?

@WalterWhite-qp2iq 5 жыл бұрын

What you writee

@thomaswombat4182 4 жыл бұрын

@@attentionwarrior3632 lol he's that dumb he's complaining about how dumb he is.

@ashlong3855 5 жыл бұрын

Mad to see what this guys like now

@BucksawBoushh 2 жыл бұрын

He’s a funny dude. Mad personality.

@BlackThoughtsTV 6 жыл бұрын

I wish i was old enough during this time i missed out.

@r.dylanevans59 7 жыл бұрын

Dope video.

@braksuper 8 жыл бұрын

cool archives

@Tyrone1dotcom 4 жыл бұрын

Nice Work

@anthonydavis1894 4 жыл бұрын

Big ups Giant... Writers Worldwide

@hugo7762 2 жыл бұрын

very inspiring style

@cristianleon2452 6 жыл бұрын

Always on top

@jamesnavarrete2039 4 жыл бұрын

TheeLegendaryPenis aaaaaa

@jessiedocdor9790 Жыл бұрын

skillz with the letters and style🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

@neildelacruz5729 6 жыл бұрын

Mike's mannerisms and looks remind me a lot of David Cross. Is the original documentary up anywhere online in it's entirety?

@tonysegal288 5 жыл бұрын

I remember those skateboard decks.

@CursetheVandal 6 жыл бұрын

This guys demeanour is awesome ahaha

@mastaroshi23 Жыл бұрын

Nakey jakey as a writter Just jokes, Giants a living legend 🔥

@doobtubes 4 жыл бұрын

Raw af hella dope

@zew1414 2 жыл бұрын

Man yo back in those days I fucking hated that prototypical West Coast style that almost everyone seemed to copy and paste (and that was a big problem in graffiti then) but dudes like Giant and Twister always just rose above. They def had more of a NJ, especially Jersey City NJ flare to their styles. And I think that was one of the main reason he was universally respected! He never ever painted like anyone else but many tried and failed to paint like him that's for fucking sure! Zew1 FR/OUT/CTYC/666 Newark, NJ ✌️

@novelaego2404 Жыл бұрын

whats the nj style?

@persue1919 8 жыл бұрын

WOW!

@gavinbalke9139 5 жыл бұрын

Andrea the giant right in the beginning

@joaopaulovieirachu6022 4 жыл бұрын

did not know much liked the style showed talent ... Does anyone know when this recording is?

@mikebe9919 3 жыл бұрын

Very nice.

@mickeydiesel 8 жыл бұрын

Rip Sope

@TrainOp213 7 жыл бұрын

I miss this SF

@jonalvy9126 4 жыл бұрын

Ur a very talented graffiti artist/vandal great pieces love the giantone block letter love to see west coast doing easy coast CEO1 BXNYC ☠️

@oldlongjahnsen5884 8 жыл бұрын

this is so awesome. any way to get a copy of that documentary?

@mediaexplosion 7 жыл бұрын

August Williams Sorry for the late reply. You can download it on Vimeo or use a video converter (youtuberipper). Thank you for your interest.

@mediaexplosion 7 жыл бұрын

August Williams The full video was never released or finished. The majority of the segments are on my YT or Vimeo, a couple were pulled for music violations.

@strayanvoyager1373 6 жыл бұрын

get the full shit done maneee

@John-mf6ky 5 жыл бұрын

Giant has some of the sickest hands and throws

@andrewbellavie795 8 жыл бұрын

I am also fond of muff Giant

@romerockrok-boi5563 7 жыл бұрын

Graffity artist make the hood look buetiful

@mrjoe6257 4 жыл бұрын

respect

@justinsalum 6 жыл бұрын

who woulda' thought Ryan Phillippe would grow up to be Mike Giant

@robserrano8971 Жыл бұрын

Hahahahahahaha

@michal_hajduk 7 жыл бұрын

May I ask what camera did you use it this time? Thank you!

@mediaexplosion 7 жыл бұрын

Hahahahaha. Why do you want to know? The interview was shot in San Francisco on a consumer level Sony Hi-8 camera with a cheap fisheye. The opening scene and the closer were shot in San Diego on a Canon Elura Mini-DV with a better fisheye. Some of the the pieces were shot in SF, LA, SD, Denver, etc. Eventually I had a PD-150 with a Century Optics deathlens. I did a lot of work in FCP to make it widescreen, and enhance the color, frame rate, etc. Tech talk over.

@michal_hajduk 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you :D I was just curious because love the looks of that era graffiti and skate vidoes and such, and I do my own little camera research :D hope there will be some more materials from you here

@jessecockrum5273 Жыл бұрын

Look at his 90s skater pants

@Bafangool_Fool 6 жыл бұрын

Frisco shit hella dope

@express375 Жыл бұрын

dope

@evilskwerl 4 жыл бұрын

Mikey got tired of selling those encyclopedia brittanicas. True legend right here

@biosfearmag Жыл бұрын

Towards the end of SF's golden era. Would love to see Reminisce get more attention.

@zjygkmatt 7 жыл бұрын

pretty dope song -from America.

@brandobee3932 5 жыл бұрын

90s shit is the best shit

@obeekrow7295 8 жыл бұрын

ALBUQUERQUE, NM!!!!!!!!!!!

@brettnaegele158 4 ай бұрын

I know Giant from Albuquerque back in the day

@thefishisraw117 4 жыл бұрын

4:29 TWISTO

@elijahmiller6187 4 жыл бұрын

How did the beef with kept start

@quinnfishburne1992 3 жыл бұрын

Kept went over his tags

@qb8799 3 жыл бұрын

Back when you were actually required to have skill to do graffiti

@natethekidd9355 2 жыл бұрын

Frfr

@kadeenmadeit1069 2 жыл бұрын

still do

@Respect13874 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t understand? Not much has changed

@Gretathunbergsfart 4 жыл бұрын

My shit is a character, fight me if you don’t like it.

@dalazo Жыл бұрын

Do whatever but don't get salty when writers go over it. Characters are fine its just not Graff.

@coopsone5509 6 жыл бұрын

💯

@gypsytears1785 Жыл бұрын

Love Giant …. Big ups Burque 505 ;)

@ieprince 7 жыл бұрын

can control on point

@illagen1 7 жыл бұрын

Top legend Giant !!

@domnickjoe505t4 6 жыл бұрын

Albuquerque nm s/o to the giant one!

@LSDEM0N 2 жыл бұрын

Yooo so this is one of the guys painting in the first baker video

@mediaexplosion 2 жыл бұрын

I don’t remember that, but Strickland and I are tight and he sampled some footage. I don’t recall which clips anymore.

@unratedtidepods5901 6 жыл бұрын

Clean

@brandobee2264 4 жыл бұрын

Shepard Fairy crying in the corner somewhere 😂😂

@sirzippy3043 4 жыл бұрын

Did Shepard fairy steal giant?

@air142009 5 ай бұрын

What’s the name of this doc ?

@theicebergs1 8 жыл бұрын

Rad!!!!

@dontcomply5008 4 жыл бұрын

Dudes fresh yo.

@weace8466 3 жыл бұрын

"i am uhh qquite fond of muff" lol

@graffaholics198 2 жыл бұрын

Bay Area Legend Giant!

@diegopadilla5623 7 жыл бұрын

he has dope peacing styles

@rust-0hspray156 3 жыл бұрын

I wouldn't mind having some k mart paint haha

@potrebitelskoime8286 5 жыл бұрын

What is that documentary

@mickeyshuman723 7 жыл бұрын

Music??

@mediaexplosion 7 жыл бұрын

Latryx "Burnt Pride" Check out Shazam sometime.

@3Sblood 5 жыл бұрын

whato movie is this

@leftysouthpawofdetttth7340 3 жыл бұрын

👑👑👑👑👑

@docmobster618 8 жыл бұрын

is there any way you put it on a usb and sell it to me?

@mediaexplosion 7 жыл бұрын

Burqueno gangsteR Sorry for the late reply. You can download it on Vimeo.

@lowbrow_industriez 10 ай бұрын

💯🔥🖌️🤘💀😎

@BIGgamez78 3 ай бұрын

lol he was battling Kept. He went over one of Kept’s pieces early in the video then wrote f*ck Kept. Then around the 7:20 mark in the video he capped another Kept piece and wrote I’m done when you are. lol