The Forthcoming ‘Racing for Thunder’ Chronicles Rammellzee’s Vibrant and Multi-Hyphenate Artistic Career

 Art Books History #graffiti #New York City #performance #Rammellzee #street art July 23, 2024 Kate Mothes All images © Rammellzee, courtesy of Rizzoli, shared with permission In the 1970s and 1980s, a ride on the New York City subway looked a lot different than it does today, famously coated in graffiti inside and out. One figure who has gained posthumous attention during the past few years is the creative polymath Rammellzee (1960-2010), whose paintings, sculptures, and performances deployed and deconstructed language at a time when novel digital technologies were just beginning to emerge. Growing up in Queens, the artist frequented the A Train and often tagged the cars and stations along the route. He was also a major figure in the hip hop community, reaching new audiences in the iconic cult documentary Wild Style, completed in 1982. Created by Charlie Ahearn, the film highlighted hip hop on the big screen for the first time and propelled Rammellzee into the spotlight alongside seminal performers like Fab Five Freddy, Grandmaster Flash, Lady Pink, and more. Rammellzze’s career was catalyzed by his seemingly limitless forays into visual art, design, performance, and philosophy, rising to prominence alongside visual artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat (previously),...