GRAFFITI ARTIST GIGA ONE

interview by David Paul

Bomb: How and when did you first get into hip-hop?

Giga One: When I saw some graffiti in L.A., in 1988. Then I started 
to do it myself after I met Hex at the "Hip-Hop Shop" in L.A.

Bomb: You say that you started to do graffiti after meeting Hex. How 
did you learn? Does the books Subway Art and Spraycan Art exist out 
there?

Giga One: I had just been taking photos of graffiti as a fan until I 
met Hex at the Hip-Hop Shop. I already knew about him before he 
opened the shop because he is a very talented artist. I liked his 
personality and when he showed me his drawings I decided to be a 
writer. So when I gave him my hand-made "Spray Can Shaped" pendant I 
remembered that he really liked it. He also took some to sell in the 
shop. He always feels that "hand-made is the best." When I met Krush 
(the graffiti artist, not the dj) in S.F. I felt the same way about 
him. Both of them are very artistic. They don`t think or care about 
vandalism or disrespecting other people. They are just beyond those 
things. So these two gentlemen I would call my teachers of graffiti. 
I also have had many good ideas from Spraycan Art and Subway Art. 
Not only technique, but how graffiti has grown from that time.



Bomb: When you were first starting out which rap groups were popular 
in Japan?

Giga One: Run DMC, Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Biz Markie, EPMD, 
BDP, Eric B & Rakim...

Bomb: Which rap groups are popular out there now?

Giga One: Cypress Hill, Pharcyde, Nas, Jeru...

Bomb: Does Japan have alot of local rappers?

Giga One: Not many. Microphone Pager is most appreciated. Also 
Kimidori and Gus Boys.

Bomb: What is the breakdance scene like out there?  

Giga One: There are some members of the Rocksteady Crew in Tokyo who 
work very hard. But it is still underground.

Bomb: Where do kids hear new hip-hop? Clubs, radio, stores...

Giga One: Mosty clubs or at home by watching MTV USA, CATV.

Bomb: When American rappers come out there to perform where are the 
shows held?

Giga One: In large live clubs or nightclubs, not it the large halls 
yet.

Bomb: What is the best hip-hop show that you have been to?

Giga One: RUN DMC and Onyx. I didn`t like Onyx much before that but 
they had a very powerful stage act.

Bomb: How much do records cost out there?

Giga One: $12 for twelve inch singles and $18 for albums.

Bomb: How is the graffiti scene out there, do a lot of kids piece?

Giga One: I remember there were a few crews a couple of years ago 
but now we can not count the number of crews that piece in Japan. 
Sometimes they`ll fight each other.



Bomb: Is there a lot of tagging out there?

Giga One: In Tokyo, it has been multipling. Also Vandal Squad is 
starting to move.

Bomb: What kind of punishment is there for writers that get caught 
out there?

Giga One: If they catch us they ask the owner of the wall or 
building how much it will cost to repair and then we have to pay for 
it. For example, bridges and pillars are owned by the Highway so 
they would be paid. If you write on a train and get caught the Train 
Company will be paid by you. I know a writer that has to pay a $2,
500 fine after he stayed in jail. 

Bomb: Have you ever been chased or caught by the police?

Giga One: I`ve been taken by the police twice. One time when I was 
bombing the wall of a pillar underneath the highway a neighbor 
called the police. Four police cars came with eight policemen and 
they took me to the police station. The police took my paint and 
photos. I was lucky that time though, the highway company said that 
it would be fine if I repaint the wall with gray paint. 

Bomb: What kind of paint do you use out there?

Giga One: Asahi Paint Aspen (S).

Bomb: What is popular out there, letters or characters?

Giga One: Both.

Bomb: What kind of clothes do the hip-hop kids wear out there? What 
label names are popular?

Giga One:  Conart, Third Rail, and Tribal.