Interview with NYC Pioneer Subway writer Dome

Where you from and where is home?

I was born in Green Point Brooklyn, currently I live in New Jersey.

When did you start writing?

I started writing on trains in 1985. I was first introduced to writing in 1975 from my cousin who wrote Mean 1 From East Harlem, where I spent a lot of time growing up.

Did you start out tagging Dome??

At the time my cousin was hitting the 6 train and that’s when it caught my attention. My first tag was MEAN then MCO and I settle into the name ZOO.. but I was getting influenced by the hall of fame and I liked the idea of more letters from watching legends like Skeme, Daze so, at the time the movie Mad Max Thunder Dome was out and I like the name Dome.

Name one hip hop song that was hot back in the day when you was writing on trains?

When I started writing on trains the song that was out was KRS ‘South Bronx’, it was a big song and I was going up to the Bronx to write so, it was a good feeling to play that on my way to the trains.

Favorite place(s) to paint?

My Favorite place to paint was Esplanade, Hall Of Fame, Harlem tunnels.

Favorite color(s) or color skeme?

As far as colors, I like clashing colors.

Craziest moment you ever experience while getting up??

One of the standout moments that I had.. was when I was painting my ‘Slave To Style’ whole car in the Esplanade tunnels.. when I was getting close to finishing I noticed a lot more writers came through the tunnel and they all stopped and watched me finish my car and I was flattered.. at that point I realized I did something great.

Side note: this car ran all the way until the end untouched, I found it one day in the scrap yard untouched and I’m grateful for that.

Thoughts about the word graffiti vs. aerosol art or street art??

As far as the graffiti word, I don’t use it. Me having relationships with 70’s writers I’ve learned that was a name that was used by people that were from outside the culture degrading it. Similar to Christopher Columbus discovering the Americas and colonizing it..

Most writers are in state of cognitive dissonance when they use that word for example, when you first meet a writer you ask them: what you write? Not what you graffiti? I prefer writer/artist /painter. I wouldn’t entertain that word.

How long have you been producing music?

I’ve been producing music close to twenty years.

Favorite hip hop crew or Dj/rapper(s)?

My favorite hip hop groups are the Furious Five, Cold Crush Brothers, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest, Jay Z, Drake and Lil Wayne.

Last words or shout outs?

Shout out to P.H.A.S.E. 2, Riff 170, Vulcan and La Mont!