RIP: Tony Silver, ace film-maker dies

One of the dopest graffiti documentary film makers, Tony Silver, died today. I saw the LA-based film-maker speak on a panel at MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in August 2005 for the screening of his films, "Style Wars" and "Style Wars: ReVisited".

The original Style Wars captured by Tony Silver and Henry Chalfont in 80s New York and is the essence of *real* hip hop. Silver's film takes you back to a golden age of hip hop before G4 jets, "Jacob The Jeweler" bling watches and quick strike Nikes. This was a New York City that was governed by Major Koch, where the Guardian Angels patrolled the subways and where graffiti artists (aka vandals) painted "whole cars" (top to bottom) and transformed the New York subway system into an rolling art gallery that would fetch millions now. Style Wars: ReVisited was Silver's addendum project that fast-forwarded us 20 years on to see the lives of the artists through personal interviews and outtakes never seen before.

Thanks Tony for bringing Seen, Dondi (RIP) and Case (legendary graffiti artist with his "Computer Rock" style), Ramellzee (artist and MC) and Crazy Legs (Rock Steady Crew, b-boy) and many, many more to my TV set!