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

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  • čas přidán 8. 01. 2016
  • 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.
  • Komedie

Komentáře • 200

  • @shamm249
    @shamm249 Před 7 lety +122

    So many styles. Holy shit, dude is nice

  • @jt______
    @jt______ Před 7 lety +55

    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
    @John-mf6ky Před 5 lety +36

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

    • @jaysonstinson9458
      @jaysonstinson9458 Před 2 měsíci +1

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

  • @Randomizer92mx
    @Randomizer92mx Před 6 lety +251

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

  • @dariuspavlich6575
    @dariuspavlich6575 Před 7 lety +72

    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

  • @CaidanceDubstep
    @CaidanceDubstep Před 5 lety +14

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

    • @air142009
      @air142009 Před 4 měsíci

      What’s the name of this doc ?

  • @Seamo57
    @Seamo57 Před 5 lety +28

    "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
      @freddymarcel-marcum6831 Před 4 lety

      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
      @SuperDonez Před 3 lety +3

      what was the beef about?

    • @az.tek.00
      @az.tek.00 Před 15 dny

      Thx to underground graf mags. These artist stylez came to AZ. F'n legends. 🔥💯😎🏴‍☠️ Wish some of these catz would teach the new gen how to improve their skillz on Utube.

  • @boblazar9720
    @boblazar9720 Před 3 lety +17

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

    • @dalazo
      @dalazo Před rokem

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

  • @sb-qw9mb
    @sb-qw9mb Před 4 lety +7

    Best graff interview ever made

  • @Seamo57
    @Seamo57 Před 5 lety +8

    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!

  • @sergioduenas2583
    @sergioduenas2583 Před rokem +2

    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
    @cam4617 Před 7 lety +20

    seems like a chill dude

  • @rubenlopez6656
    @rubenlopez6656 Před 21 dnem

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

  • @bryantvaldez1430
    @bryantvaldez1430 Před 8 lety +53

    the twisto in the background at 4:28

    • @SethHesio
      @SethHesio Před 8 lety

      Who's Twisto?

    • @blakedixon6775
      @blakedixon6775 Před 7 lety +7

      The fuck mate

    • @TrainOp213
      @TrainOp213 Před 7 lety +5

      Not to mention kr and bles

    • @whoizyou2047
      @whoizyou2047 Před 6 lety

      wasabi flavored i

    • @rust-0hspray156
      @rust-0hspray156 Před 2 lety

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

  • @Oldf0x
    @Oldf0x Před rokem +2

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

  • @dillwill1813
    @dillwill1813 Před 3 lety +1

    always on of my favorite writers.

  • @millhouseforever
    @millhouseforever Před 3 lety +4

    This dude in San Diego now. Real cool cat

  • @rockschouman2364
    @rockschouman2364 Před 7 lety +5

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

  • @BLAZENYCBLACKOPS
    @BLAZENYCBLACKOPS Před rokem

    Absolute beast, mad love from NYC.

  • @headcold7250
    @headcold7250 Před 6 lety +67

    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
      @attentionwarrior3632 Před 6 lety +11

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

    • @WalterWhite-qp2iq
      @WalterWhite-qp2iq Před 5 lety

      What you writee

    • @thomaswombat4182
      @thomaswombat4182 Před 4 lety

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

  • @BucksawBoushh
    @BucksawBoushh Před 2 lety +3

    He’s a funny dude. Mad personality.

  • @airsofter2247
    @airsofter2247 Před 5 lety +1

    Awesome rare video, nice work

  • @ashlong3855
    @ashlong3855 Před 5 lety +2

    Mad to see what this guys like now

  • @denoske5776
    @denoske5776 Před 7 lety +23

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

  • @anthonydavis1894
    @anthonydavis1894 Před 4 lety

    Big ups Giant... Writers Worldwide

  • @cristianleon2452
    @cristianleon2452 Před 6 lety +3

    Always on top

  • @neildelacruz5729
    @neildelacruz5729 Před 6 lety +1

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

  • @braksuper
    @braksuper Před 8 lety +2

    cool archives

  • @r.dylanevans59
    @r.dylanevans59 Před 7 lety

    Dope video.

  • @persue1919
    @persue1919 Před 8 lety +1

    WOW!

  • @BlackThoughtsTV
    @BlackThoughtsTV Před 5 lety +2

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

  • @Tyrone1dotcom
    @Tyrone1dotcom Před 4 lety +1

    Nice Work

  • @zew1414
    @zew1414 Před 2 lety +7

    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 ✌️

  • @joaopaulovieirachu6022

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

  • @hugo7762
    @hugo7762 Před 2 lety

    very inspiring style

  • @jessiedocdor9790
    @jessiedocdor9790 Před rokem

    skillz with the letters and style🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

  • @mastaroshi23
    @mastaroshi23 Před rokem +2

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

  • @tonysegal288
    @tonysegal288 Před 5 lety +1

    I remember those skateboard decks.

  • @romerockrok-boi5563
    @romerockrok-boi5563 Před 7 lety +33

    Graffity artist make the hood look buetiful

  • @express375
    @express375 Před rokem

    dope

  • @mrjoe6257
    @mrjoe6257 Před 4 lety

    respect

  • @gavinbalke9139
    @gavinbalke9139 Před 5 lety +7

    Andrea the giant right in the beginning

  • @CursetheVandal
    @CursetheVandal Před 6 lety +2

    This guys demeanour is awesome ahaha

  • @air142009
    @air142009 Před 4 měsíci

    What’s the name of this doc ?

  • @doobtubes
    @doobtubes Před 4 lety

    Raw af hella dope

  • @mikebe9919
    @mikebe9919 Před 3 lety

    Very nice.

  • @potrebitelskoime8286
    @potrebitelskoime8286 Před 4 lety

    What is that documentary

  • @jessecockrum5273
    @jessecockrum5273 Před rokem +1

    Look at his 90s skater pants

  • @oldlongjahnsen5884
    @oldlongjahnsen5884 Před 8 lety +3

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

    • @mediaexplosion
      @mediaexplosion  Před 7 lety +3

      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
      @mediaexplosion  Před 7 lety +4

      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
      @strayanvoyager1373 Před 6 lety +1

      get the full shit done maneee

  • @qb8799
    @qb8799 Před 3 lety +32

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

  • @michal_hajduk
    @michal_hajduk Před 7 lety +2

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

    • @mediaexplosion
      @mediaexplosion  Před 7 lety +14

      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
      @michal_hajduk Před 7 lety +2

      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

  • @mickeydiesel
    @mickeydiesel Před 8 lety +4

    Rip Sope

  • @TrainOp213
    @TrainOp213 Před 7 lety +4

    I miss this SF

  • @thefishisraw117
    @thefishisraw117 Před 3 lety +4

    4:29 TWISTO

  • @3Sblood
    @3Sblood Před 5 lety

    whato movie is this

  • @obeekrow7295
    @obeekrow7295 Před 8 lety +4

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

  • @zjygkmatt
    @zjygkmatt Před 6 lety

    pretty dope song -from America.

  • @brandobee3932
    @brandobee3932 Před 5 lety +1

    90s shit is the best shit

  • @John-mf6ky
    @John-mf6ky Před 5 lety

    Giant has some of the sickest hands and throws

  • @biosfearmag
    @biosfearmag Před rokem

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

  • @Bafangool_Fool
    @Bafangool_Fool Před 5 lety +2

    Frisco shit hella dope

  • @andrewbellavie795
    @andrewbellavie795 Před 8 lety +6

    I am also fond of muff Giant

  • @gypsytears1785
    @gypsytears1785 Před rokem

    Love Giant …. Big ups Burque 505 ;)

  • @jonalvy9126
    @jonalvy9126 Před 4 lety

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

  • @brettnaegele158
    @brettnaegele158 Před 3 měsíci

    I know Giant from Albuquerque back in the day

  • @coopsone5509
    @coopsone5509 Před 6 lety

    💯

  • @theicebergs1
    @theicebergs1 Před 8 lety +1

    Rad!!!!

  • @elijahmiller6187
    @elijahmiller6187 Před 4 lety +4

    How did the beef with kept start

  • @evilskwerl
    @evilskwerl Před 4 lety

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

  • @justinsalum
    @justinsalum Před 6 lety +4

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

  • @unratedtidepods5901
    @unratedtidepods5901 Před 6 lety

    Clean

  • @docmobster618
    @docmobster618 Před 8 lety

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

    • @mediaexplosion
      @mediaexplosion  Před 7 lety

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

  • @mickeyshuman723
    @mickeyshuman723 Před 7 lety +2

    Music??

    • @mediaexplosion
      @mediaexplosion  Před 7 lety +3

      Latryx "Burnt Pride" Check out Shazam sometime.

  • @Gretathunbergsfart
    @Gretathunbergsfart Před 3 lety +1

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

    • @dalazo
      @dalazo Před rokem

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

  • @ieprince
    @ieprince Před 6 lety

    can control on point

  • @tupacrealhiphopshakur4497

    you ever gonna release the full documentary?

  • @illagen1
    @illagen1 Před 7 lety +1

    Top legend Giant !!

  • @domnickjoe505t4
    @domnickjoe505t4 Před 6 lety +1

    Albuquerque nm s/o to the giant one!

  • @brandobee2264
    @brandobee2264 Před 4 lety +10

    Shepard Fairy crying in the corner somewhere 😂😂

  • @LSDEM0N
    @LSDEM0N Před 2 lety +1

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

    • @mediaexplosion
      @mediaexplosion  Před 2 lety

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

  • @graffaholics198
    @graffaholics198 Před 2 lety

    Bay Area Legend Giant!

  • @dontcomply5008
    @dontcomply5008 Před 4 lety

    Dudes fresh yo.

  • @dtbkanji
    @dtbkanji Před 11 měsíci

    He has beef with Kepts?

  • @leftysouthpawofdetttth7340

    👑👑👑👑👑

  • @weace8466
    @weace8466 Před 3 lety

    "i am uhh qquite fond of muff" lol

  • @lowbrow_industriez
    @lowbrow_industriez Před 9 měsíci

    💯🔥🖌️🤘💀😎

  • @diegopadilla5623
    @diegopadilla5623 Před 7 lety +3

    he has dope peacing styles

  • @mattmatthew
    @mattmatthew Před 7 měsíci

    sounds like asia born on the soundtrack there

  • @Jack-nn6gn
    @Jack-nn6gn Před 4 lety +2

    why he look like freddie dredd

  • @BIGgamez78
    @BIGgamez78 Před 2 měsíci

    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

  • @harrynoonan8291
    @harrynoonan8291 Před 4 lety +3

    Who here in 2020

  • @rust-0hspray156
    @rust-0hspray156 Před 2 lety

    I wouldn't mind having some k mart paint haha

  • @blasta1218
    @blasta1218 Před 6 lety +1

    @revok

  • @NaSamymDnie16400
    @NaSamymDnie16400 Před 8 lety +2

    Damn son StrVIII vp^ #ZHG

  • @NineteenEighty8
    @NineteenEighty8 Před rokem

    He's not wrong.

  • @asabrailz
    @asabrailz Před 8 lety +2

    rip sope ihateyou

  • @tristanarcelona
    @tristanarcelona Před rokem

    Aqua

  • @michaelkeeley9392
    @michaelkeeley9392 Před 5 lety

    Looks like he's tripping nuts

  • @CANControlGRAFFITI
    @CANControlGRAFFITI Před 8 lety +24

    Graffwriters are such dorks

    • @yarno777
      @yarno777 Před 7 lety +1

      ^ this is the thruth haha in my area there are more psychopaths than actual chilled out people to paint with

    • @thellama6252
      @thellama6252 Před 6 lety +1

      billy joe Yep it's usually one or the other I have never met one that is a balanced person they are either asleep or will punch u for looking at them however I'm sure giant will fight.

    • @Samizsm23
      @Samizsm23 Před 6 lety

      True look at Jeffrey dahmer he was a pretty calm Guy

  • @Ish4MyIggans
    @Ish4MyIggans Před 3 lety

    Huffington.