R E K O
So today I dropped in on Reko for an interview, caught him in the act of re-painting his garden outbuilding. A good afternoon was had, Reko even stuck the BBQ on as the sun was out and to be fair we both had munchies ;)
The interview:
Graffography: At what age did you get your passion for graffiti writing?
Reko: 13, I started noticing graffiti around St Neots at 12, through my love of hip hop. I started noticing the graff in the videos and started to notice it more on the streets. I originally started writing chalk on pavements at 11 or 12, the word force as Star Wars was just out.
Graffography: Who were your early inspirations?
Reko: St Neots writers Jade, Atone, Frz, Hash, Hra. International legends Dondi, Kast, Seen & Futura.
Graffography: Has there been a particular piece that's memorable to you?
Reko: Yes, a piece painted by Jade (From st ives) in st neots in 1985. A judge dread style piece.
Graffography: Has graffiti got you into trouble?
Reko: I was expelled from 2 schools for bombing them and tagging all the text books.
Graffography: What's your first memorable piece?
Reko: A Piece called “Perfect” in blues and yellows with the help of 2 local writers who proceeded to pretend the police were en route and whilst I took cover they stole all my paint and tools, not only did they pull this stunt once, but twice..!
Graffography: Who did you do your first Collaboration with?
Reko: Wow, now I'm going to have to think back a few years. I think it was with Real, Soul & Hope.
Graffography: Favourite style of writing?
Reko: Freestyle mainly but also inspired by tradional New York semi wild styles, big bold clean productions & the 3 F’s Funk, Form & Flow.
Graffography: With the styles in mind, who in todays scene has what you call the 3 F’s?
Reko: Romeo & Beast from Holland are poppin the scene right now. I’ve always admired Shadow & Mist from France.
Geser & Kemr (3A) from the USA have always done the dopest whole cars & rock the cleanest letter forms in the Mid west.
Ekto, Ster & Bekos are creating some nice heat in the south east of England, with that said the UK has some very high standards of work being produced at the moment, legal or not.
Graffography: Have you painted outside the uk, if so where?
Reko: I've painted in France, Belgium, Holland, Norway & Majorca. Future plans are to goto Denver and hook up with Zeros, East, Emit, Beast & Taste (Currently poppin on the scene worldwide).
Graffography: With all the different paints available, what's your favourite brand to use?
Reko: It’s a difficult one as all the paint brands are improving their quality. Along with competition driving prices down as well it doesn’t always mean better quality. My personal preferences are the German brands Montana & Molotow. I find the colours are more vibrant with these brands.
Graffography: Do you paint in a crew?
Reko: Yes, I represent 2 crews, S.O.I (Statement of intent) & S.N.K (Standards not known/Soldiers not kings)
S.O.I Is formed of close local friends who I paint with regularly, Mig29, Mono & Fidget.
S.N.K Is a crew formed of worldwide writers who I paint with occasionally, formed of Knibs, Tens, Bero, Lyns, Shunk & many more.
Graffography: If someone wanted a commission would this be something you would be willing to do?
Reko: Of Course, if anybody is interested in any work being done they can always contact me.
Graffography: Do you feel the publics perception of graffiti has changed?
Reko: Yes, absolutely. Mainly down to the sheer amount of talented graffiti artists around the world which is being brought to light via the internet. Although its getting labelled “Street art” more these days it’s an ever evolving beast that will not be, nor should it be stopped, for if you try to stop it you supress the artistic free will of mankind. As mankind evolves, so do the arts and all aspects to it. I believe though to be a real graffiti artist your work has to be both legal and illegal, other wise you’re a street artist. Which isn’t a knock, as you gotta earn bread to survive.
Graffography: Have you got any shout outs?
Reko: Yea big shout outs to SOI, SNK, BTK, FYS, WSR, ATS, SD, NFA, ILW, PWS, HA, H2i, RT, ILC, ER2, BMS & OVC.
Graffography: Finally, what are your thoughts on Banksy?
Reko: Thats it, get the f*@k out of my house, interview over...!