Graffiti is probably one of the most neglected aspects of hip-hop. It straight up gets overlooked by Mcing, B-boying and DJing. Lee Quinones is one of the few surviving figures from the 70s and 80s New York Graffiti scene (he’s up there up with Haring and Baquiat). He bombed trains and put up murals all over the city, but Lee always tried to incorporate a message in his art. His most famous quote reads: “Graffiti is art and if art is a crime, please God, forgive me.” In reality, Lee had more influence on rap than you think (2:16).

Check out this quick clip of LQ speaking on the evolution of his art and the graffiti scene. (Spotted at HypeBeast)