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James Top, Graffiti Artist

Jen Carlson

Published Feb 18, 2008

Modified Mar 7, 2008

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Jen Carlson

Published Feb 18, 2008

Modified Mar 7, 2008

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Train muralist James Top (aka JEE 2) was part of the legendary Odd Partners in the 1970s. The Brooklyn crew bombed with throw ups and block letters; they were highly regarded and had a strong presence in the city. These days Top has taken his art indoors -- teaching a graffiti class in the Bronx and, this weekend, opening his first New York exhibit.

Afrology opens this Friday and includes the debut of seventeen variations of "the 1970’s Afro hairstyle that illustrate humorous and serious messages about being an African American within the United States and in New York City." We recently asked him about the early days of graffiti writing as well as his latest endeavours.

How, and when, did you get into writing graffiti? Everyone around the neighborhood was doing it. I was about 12 years old...

Do you recall your first experience using a train as your canvas? Please tell us about it, and the early years of graffiti in the city. My first experience was in the train yards--- really for the first year and a half I began writing my names on the building walls of my projects. I graduated up to trains and became the King. Mickey729, Hurst and In1 and myself formed the legendary crew: The Odd Partners. We worked central Brooklyn and became legendary.

Early graffiti in the city was really fun. All the kids were doing graffiti at the time, every block had a writer. We wrote our names more than anybody. Our energy was different and it was a lot stronger than other local writers. With every train line we took over, we eventually became the kings of that train line— IRT, BMT, IND it didn’t matter. We went where other people didn’t go. Even though each line had it’s respective King, we would writer over their tag and dominate that line. Even those Kings had to bow down to us and there wasn’t really any major beef behind that— we were well received. There wasn’t really competition. It was really “us” vs. the MTA who often tried to clean up our tags. Everyone tried to find a new style but ours became the best style to mimic: the “throw up”. It’s close to a tag but takes more skills to execute with one fill-in color and one outline. We used a lot of silver and black. Mostly “high heat silver” from automotive stores— very luminous stuff.

Did you have any favorite spots back then? I grew up in the projects right next to the Euclid Avenue// A train local train yards. It was very comfortable for me to go out into that massive yard and write. It was the A, AA, E, F and sometimes the G. From that one spot, I hit up 5 trains and became an “all city kid.” We also liked the “lay-up” at the Atlantic Avenue yard where coincidentally, we were up nearly 10 stories high and watched the city go black—hence, the blackout of 1977. Down the block from me was another yard called the New Lots Yard where the 2 & 3 trains were parked.

If you could hit any New York train/building/wall today, which would it be? It would be the A line, that’s my home line and it would run through areas where my friends currently reside.

Do you have a most memorable run-in with the law? (laughs) No comment. (laughs again)

What do you think of street art? Some people consider graffiti art to be street art but unfortunately that’s not true. I don’t classify my artwork as street art. I never use the term street art, not even when my art is in the gallery.

Who do you like that's still writing today? I’ve worked with the very best in this art form. However, I don’t comment about vandalism as I don’t attach myself to random acts of vandalism. But the best writers I know are Mickey729, Hurst, and Dondi, (RIP to them all) and let’s not forget Knock167 who is still alive today.

You currently teach a somewhat controversial graffiti class at Hostos College; what do you teach your students in this class, and what are they most interested in taking away from it? I teach the history of graffiti art forms, how they started and evolved from trains to everywhere all over the world. I try to also have people come in and explain their experiences being graffiti artists. I also show movies and documentaries about graffiti in an effort to showcase different styles. We take trips to see legal graffiti murals. I feel as though I am best to teach this class because I was there when graffiti began and I was in it— I was there. I continue to find information on this art form on a variety of levels and I share it with the students so that they can see how to transform their own style writing into different ways. The students get to learn that hip hop was born in the same borough where the college is— they live where hip hop was born. And with graffiti being associated with Hip-Hop, it means that there is a rich culture right under their noses. Through the class, they learn the illustrious history behind the culture and the people in graffiti arts especially in the south Bronx Community

Your first solo show opens this month, how long have you been preparing for it, and can you tell us a little about what to expect? It’s really my first solo NYC show, but I’ve been preparing for this my whole life. Corrupt systems are an important factor in my artwork. I get to express my anger, concern, and frustration with drugs infiltrated in our neighborhood. On the upside, a black man running for president is a representation of positive changes in our community. These few issues are what my canvases address. It’s New York City! The best city in the world! I couldn’t miss out on not having my show here. This is my home and it won’t be my last solo show either.

Which New Yorker do you most admire? Adam Clayton Powell Jr. He was someone that stood up for his community and even though he was looked down upon for it, he remained consistent.

Given the opportunity, how would you change New York? I would have a program that involves the youth of New York City where we get them to legally paint murals throughout the summer in order to beautify the city and integrate graffiti into our neighborhoods. With the help of the youth expressing varying styles and messages regarding the community, it can bring about self-esteem to see how one has helped beautify their communities through personal artwork. I would definitely get rid of those pesky graffiti laws. I would want to have more art based programs in and after schools for graffiti based art.

What's your current soundtrack to the city? Love Train, by the O’Jays.

What's the best subway line? The A line, no doubt.

Best cheap eat in the city. Mine would be MY corner Chinese spot, Support your local Chinese spot!

Best venue to see music. I still like BB Kings in Time Square.

Tagged

a train

african american

art exhibit

atlantic avenue

bronx

brooklyn

city

graffiti

graffiti writer

interview

James Top

Jee 2

kings

MTA

new york

new york city

The Brooklyn

the city

united states

Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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