OBIE

1:What do you write ,  how long have you been writing for (year started), and why did you get involved in it?

Good morning, My name is OBIE. I’ve been in this culture since about 2004ish, maybe a bit earlier. One of my good friends and I sorta just fell into it, he discovered it first, then brought it to my attention. Bboy, skaters, hip hop, the 4 elements were the introduction while we were in high school. Then we branched off into graffiti from there. That took our interest mostly amongst the other elements. 

2:How did you get your name?

I listened to a lot of rap/hiphop growing up. Obie Trice from Shady Records hit the scene around 2007ish. I fucked with his first album alot. And his first name stuck out to me. I ran with that. I liked the way it sounded and I liked the idea of writing a real name instead of a word like people usually do. I’ve been OBIE since 2007. 

3: Who were your biggest influences and why?

Biggest influences growing up till now are close friends and a handful of other writers..Slob, Fareal, Dear, Cmoan, Jkat, GusAlen, Voices, Yesm, Buket, Hindue, NovYork.. to name a few strong influences. 

4: What's  your Favorite type of graffiti? 

I’ve experienced every type of graffiti but the one I’ve always stuck to was tagging. Having a dope hand style felt the most important to me. Unique hand styles are dope as well, even sloppy ones. Slaps have been a huge part of my career nowadays. Permanence and longevity are my top goals. So I aim for the shit people usually look past or don’t pay attention to. The bombing was my early stages. The objective is numbers now. I definitely don’t take it as serious as I used to. Some days I’m over it, some days I’m about it. As I grow older, those same interests don’t take priority over my life and responsibilities. Handle your business first. That shit will always be there later. 

5: Do you consider graffiti Hip Hop? and if not where did you pick it up from and what group do you think it falls in?

That’s how it was introduced to me.. But as I grew older, and met new people, I learned that it comes from all walks of life. I think hip hop adopted it. But it’s punk as well. It’s against the rules. We also thought it was a form of Anarchy. Fuck the government and the law type mentality. Before we even knew what it meant, We were drawing Anarchy symbols next to our names. So no, I think it’s for everyone. You don’t have to be one type of person. That’s what makes it interesting. 

6: What's your favorite type of music?

All types, I was raised on rap/hiphop. Now I listen to a wide variety of music, from Hardcore to old New York Jazz. Riding in a car with me you might hear some Mobb Deep, Then some Sade or I might switch it to a Journey song.. music plays a huge part of my life. It all depends on the mood. Even the weather plays part. If I’m working out I’ll have Maya Over Eyes in my airpods. But if I’m mobbing thru the city I will probably be listening to Blockhead or some thing along those lines. Griselda has some dope shit, ( Benny The Butcher, Conway The Machine ) Growing up, I was on East Coast hip hop heavy. West Coast rap wasn’t in my ears as much. 

7: What's the difference between Graffiti and Gang graffiti to you?

Just different lifestyle types adopting the medium. I never gravitated towards the gangs, I knew a lot of people who were in the lifestyle but always chose the opposite direction. 

8: Fruity pebbles or coco pebbles? 

Damn, haha… I love them both. But if I had to choose, I’d say Fruity Pebbles all day. I could eat a whole box of that shit in one sitting lol. 

9: Are you in your prime as of right now? And if not, when do you think your prime was? 

As a person, As I grow older, I’d say my prime still hasn’t been reached yet. I keep gaining value as I grow. That’s what I work towards. But graffiti wise? I don’t know. I don’t think I ever reached a prime. As far as numbers and just being around for this long, I’d say I’m just hanging around, for now. I’d like to reach a level where all I need is one tag once every so often for the ones involved to notice and just nod to themselves. 

10: What's your favorite city that you have painted and why is it your favorite?

SF was always my favorite. As the people and city evolve, Things change. Places I used to love to paint become less enjoyable. The vibes have changed a lot to me out there from how it used to be. Yesm showed me the real SF. Back when it was real SF. Oakland is dope. Visited New York a few times, just being in that city is beautiful. I love that place. I need to travel more though honestly.  

11: What do you think of people getting jail time for graffiti ?

I think it’s apart of the game. Is what it is. 

12: Do you still drink 40’s and if so what's your favorite brand to drink?

I’ve never drank a 40, With that being said, I’ve never been drunk haha. Wasn’t my thing. I’ll drink a good beer at a brewery tho. Oakland has good breweries. I smoked alot of weed back in the day and experimented with psychedelics more. Never painted under the influence, was always sober. When all the homies were drunk, I was stoned. 

13: How do you feel about the graffiti trend and as well as being used for everything now a days (clothing,lunch boxes , hats , etc…..)

it’s cool. If I see a shirt or hat that catches my attention graffiti related, I might wear it. 

14: Do you have a chase story that people would like to hear one that you almost shit your self during?

I have a few from the past. One that always trips me out when I reminisce on it; Is a rooftop, myself and a few friends hit years ago. It was in the evening so the sun was still up, And it was a grocery store still open, Haha. To make a long story short, We were treating that roof like it was a legal, cops surrounded the building, climbed up top, chased us, pointed a gun at the back of my head and told me to freeze before he blew my fucking head off. (in his words.) We ended up handcuffed and brought down by the fire department. The gun pointed at me by a cop was the serious part of that memory. We were basically kids back then. I’ve even tried to act insane once after being arrested in the back of a squad car,

I slammed my head against the car window a number of times. Cop opened his door and told me he was going to take me to jail after the hospital. Haha. That idea didn’t work. Hiding in random backyards for hours waiting cops to leave an area. Getting chased by fuzz in Hawaii while being on vacation with family. Laying flat on top of holy rollers in a yard while cops walk near with flashlights looking for me…

15: Any last Shout outs?

I’d like to thank TBIS for the interview. And the small group of people who support me. My child first and foremost.  Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am as a man today. I owe you everything. I don’t fuck with many writers anymore.. GusAlen for the knowledge and influence. Voices, Cmoan, Wolfe, G-Green, Menace, Miles High, Gunna, G, Unc, Yola, Pops. Rip Yesm, Rip Yuck-SF/SJ pioneers. Serious Business Magazine That’s all.