Writer’s Block is a bimonthly column that takes a low-brow approach to profiling various street bombers and modern-day vandals with a mixture of stories, off-the-cuff interviews, and never-before-seen pictures.
TRAP, not to be confused with his Style Wars counterpart, is one of the most significant writers in the history of New York graffiti. His signature mark, a hybrid of the classic throw-up and straight letter usually filled with Rusto and outlined by Kilz, can be seen throughout the five boroughs of New York City—a feat that earns you the proverbial “all city” title.
TRAP has been writing graffiti ever since he was a kid, playfully tagging stuff in his neighborhood. In the 80s, as he became more ambitious, he started painting trains and eventually found his niche as a full-fledged street bomber. Still active today, he paints in streaks. Active streaks are commonplace for many dedicated writers and serve a dual-purpose: avoiding new heat and allowing any existing heat to simmer. And since TRAP’s never seen handcuffs during his 30-year career, it’s clear that this method has worked to his advantage.
I linked up with TRAP through photographer Disco Bryso, a friend of mine who specializes in documenting graffiti. Disco, who just wrapped up a retrospective-zines series with TRAP called Ikonik Figure, let me sit in on a formal interview he conducted with TRAP for the purpose of this installment. The following conversation—TRAP’s first-ever interview—contains several historical highlights and details that have never been publicly addressed, like the time he shattered his ankle while doing roller pieces with DART and all the times when normal everyday things like friends, jobs, clothing, and even relationships have taken a backseat to graffiti—a common denominator among career writers.
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Art & Design Magazine
