Interview: REX 2

Interview by Ratchet c2002 southeasthiphop.com

I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with REX2. For those of you who don't know, REX2 is a king of TN's graffiti scene. He has taught mural design in a local high school, bombed all over the world, and has painted with some of Graff's big names. He is also the force behind Show and Prove magazine, and the new magazine Frieghts.

Ratchet: So how did you get into graffiti? When did you start?

REX2:I always liked to draw, even at an early age. Then the whole b-boy thing of the eighties blew up and I got into that. I saw movies with it, and tried to mimic what I saw from memory. Not good, but I was only drawing not painting yet. Then when I was 16 I went to summer school, and some kids there had some books, "Subway Art" and "Spray Can Art". From those I copied/bit, but started painting. There was no one around though to show me how to do any techniques so I was blind for a long time.

Ratchet: Where did you get the name "REX2", what does it stand for?

REX2:I was in between names writing stupid shit, really looking for a good name. I was writing Roy at the time, only because I thought it was funny to be writing a real persons name (I'm like 17 at this point). The way I was tagging it made come out looking kinda like rex. I thought that was a good name, so I tweeked the Roy tag to Rex. It stayed just Rex for like a year. Then I was in a crew and we would sometime just bomb the crew TDK. We decided to all take numbers to hit next to the crew so we'd all know who hit that spot. I took 2 because when I was a little kid playing ball, I was the little guy and the small uniforms all had lower numbers. I always took 2. Soon it was just my lucky number, since I was like 9 years old. So I just kept it on the end of Rex because I also knew that there was a Rex 167 from New York, the original. So, the 2 has 2 meanings. The Rex is just bull shit. I didn't know the latin meaning when I started writing it. I'm not that smart.

Ratchet: Where are you from?

REX2: I'm from Nashville, which has a decent scene right now, but when I first started there weren't many of us. The ones that were writing, but still really had no clue, ended up being Tackz-AM7, Beno-MSG(rip), Masevo (Atlanta DJ/writer) and me. I'm from Nashville.

Ratchet: Why are you in Knoxville?

R2:For school, and to get a scene going here. There is a scene, and it's getting really nice. Now I want to get some permission spots so folks can really harness their skills. And to get some fresh out-of-town writers coming through to show different styles and techniques.

Ratchet: What different states/countrys have you painted in?

R2:In the good ol' U.S. of A. I painted in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Atlanta(many times), Kansas City, St. Louis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Boston (several times), Connecticut, Huntsville, Birmingham. Outside the U.s I hit a European Vacation with my friends Kem5, Ges and Totem2. We painted in Amsterdam, Basel, Swirzerland and twice in Nuess, Germany.

Ratchet: Could you compare Knoxville's graff scene to others citys?

R2:It's small, but It has a few writers here that could go to most cities and hold their own. Jeka being from here did a lot for putting Knoxville on the map. Kids are coming up quick here. They're learning the ropes, and tying some ill ass nots with it. Everyone just needs to keep painting and perfecting their skills.

Ratchet: If you had permission to paint any one place or building in Knoxville, what would you do?

R2:I'd like to get some of that equipment that window washers use. Then I'd get on that building that says"Philco" and rock a giant burner. Go all out!

Ratchet: Where are some places people can go see your work?

R2:We just rocked a production at 937 N. Central. It was me Scar 1.0, Mesko-BW, and Pako-TM(suprise visit). Sometimes on whatever and Tint Masters. On Fisher Tire on Kingston Pike, but it's better described as just past West KNox News on the road it's on. Every one knows where West Knox News is. I can't give away underground spots, but do be on the look out for Rex2 propaganda (like this interview.)

Ratchet: What is the best thing for you about doing graff?

R2:Definatley the friends I've made and the people I've had a chance to meet. That, and the trips I've taken strickly for graffiti. You get the best tour of a city when a graf. writer gives it to you, cause they've been in every crook and nanny of their city.

Ratchet: How would you describe your style?

R2:I would just say my style. People have said it is getting more evil looking, besides the colors. Scar thought I'd be real into Heavy Metal, because of the way my pieces look. That's fine, I guess I've got an Iron Maiden style!

Ratchet: You've started doing alot of 3-D pieces these days, what's that about?

R2:I asked Seak and Neck (CNS crew some of the best in Germany) that same question. Why did 3-d style emerge. They both said the obvious, "It was the next logical step in style." The Germans really started that off early. Daim, Loomit mainly. I had friends like Totem trying it, I tried, then AudRoc-TM and PAko-TM both got real into, and basically demanded I give it a real effort. Now I really try to work on it. I still suck though.

Ratchet: What are the ideas behind your work?

R2:To go all out each and every time. Nice backgrounds/productions, that's what I'm about. I still try too develop my style, take it new directions, learn new techniques. Basically, I want to always be evolving. Some of that comes slow at times, fast at others.

Ratchet: Any advice for kids coming up?

R2:Get some magazines. Order them from this web site or countless others selling them. Bite hard! But in a sketch book that you will show no one. Once your style has emerged start to paint. Remember this when first painting, "Simple done right is fresh! And wild-style done poorly is Wack!" From there it's sketch a lot to progress your style, paint a lot to perfect your skills.

Ratchet: Shout Outs?

R2:Definately my crew THOUGHTS MANIFESTED: Audroc, Pako, Jeka, Codak, Zoom and NutSaK. And all the cool folks I've been kicking it with here in Knoxville. Let's keep united, no little bull-shit beefs that ruin a small scene.


				*South East Graffiti* *Interview: REX 2*



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		Thoughts Manifested: An Interview with REX2



		Interview by Ratchet c2002 southeasthiphop.com I recently had the opportunity to sit down and talk with REX2. For those of you who don't know, REX2 is a king of TN's graffiti scene. He has taught mural design in a local high school, bombed all over the world, and has painted with some of Graff's big names. He is also the force behind Show and Prove magazine, and the new magazine Frieghts. Ratchet: So how did you get into graffiti? When did you start? REX2:I always liked to draw, even at an early age. Then the whole b-boy thing of the eighties blew up and I got into that. I saw movies with it, and tried to mimic what I saw from memory. Not good, but I was only drawing not painting yet. Then when I was 16 I went to summer school, and some kids there had some books, "Subway Art" and "Spray Can Art". From those I copied/bit, but started painting. There was no one around though to show me how to do any techniques so I was blind for a long time. Ratchet: Where did you get the name "REX2", what does it stand for? REX2:I was in between names writing stupid shit, really looking for a good name. I was writing Roy at the time, only because I thought it was funny to be writing a real persons name (I'm like 17 at this point). The way I was tagging it made come out looking kinda like rex. I thought that was a good name, so I tweeked the Roy tag to Rex. It stayed just Rex for like a year. Then I was in a crew and we would sometime just bomb the crew TDK. We decided to all take numbers to hit next to the crew so we'd all know who hit that spot. I took 2 because when I was a little kid playing ball, I was the little guy and the small uniforms all had lower numbers. I always took 2. Soon it was just my lucky number, since I was like 9 years old. So I just kept it on the end of Rex because I also knew that there was a Rex 167 from New York, the original. So, the 2 has 2 meanings. The Rex is just bull shit. I didn't know the latin meaning when I started writing it. I'm not that smart. Ratchet: Where are you from? REX2: I'm from Nashville, which has a decent scene right now, but when I first started there weren't many of us. The ones that were writing, but still really had no clue, ended up being Tackz-AM7, Beno-MSG(rip), Masevo (Atlanta DJ/writer) and me. I'm from Nashville. Ratchet: Why are you in Knoxville? R2:For school, and to get a scene going here. There is a scene, and it's getting really nice. Now I want to get some permission spots so folks can really harness their skills. And to get some fresh out-of-town writers coming through to show different styles and techniques. Ratchet: What different states/countrys have you painted in? R2:In the good ol' U.S. of A. I painted in Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, Atlanta(many times), Kansas City, St. Louis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City, Boston (several times), Connecticut, Huntsville, Birmingham. Outside the U.s I hit a European Vacation with my friends Kem5, Ges and Totem2. We painted in Amsterdam, Basel, Swirzerland and twice in Nuess, Germany. Ratchet: Could you compare Knoxville's graff scene to others citys? R2:It's small, but It has a few writers here that could go to most cities and hold their own. Jeka being from here did a lot for putting Knoxville on the map. Kids are coming up quick here. They're learning the ropes, and tying some ill ass nots with it. Everyone just needs to keep painting and perfecting their skills. Ratchet: If you had permission to paint any one place or building in Knoxville, what would you do? R2:I'd like to get some of that equipment that window washers use. Then I'd get on that building that says"Philco" and rock a giant burner. Go all out! Ratchet: Where are some places people can go see your work? R2:We just rocked a production at 937 N. Central. It was me Scar 1.0, Mesko-BW, and Pako-TM(suprise visit). Sometimes on whatever and Tint Masters. On Fisher Tire on Kingston Pike, but it's better described as just past West KNox News on the road it's on. Every one knows where West Knox News is. I can't give away underground spots, but do be on the look out for Rex2 propaganda (like this interview.) Ratchet: What is the best thing for you about doing graff? R2:Definatley the friends I've made and the people I've had a chance to meet. That, and the trips I've taken strickly for graffiti. You get the best tour of a city when a graf. writer gives it to you, cause they've been in every crook and nanny of their city. Ratchet: How would you describe your style? R2:I would just say my style. People have said it is getting more evil looking, besides the colors. Scar thought I'd be real into Heavy Metal, because of the way my pieces look. That's fine, I guess I've got an Iron Maiden style! Ratchet: You've started doing alot of 3-D pieces these days, what's that about? R2:I asked Seak and Neck (CNS crew some of the best in Germany) that same question. Why did 3-d style emerge. They both said the obvious, "It was the next logical step in style." The Germans really started that off early. Daim, Loomit mainly. I had friends like Totem trying it, I tried, then AudRoc-TM and PAko-TM both got real into, and basically demanded I give it a real effort. Now I really try to work on it. I still suck though. Ratchet: What are the ideas behind your work? R2:To go all out each and every time. Nice backgrounds/productions, that's what I'm about. I still try too develop my style, take it new directions, learn new techniques. Basically, I want to always be evolving. Some of that comes slow at times, fast at others. Ratchet: Any advice for kids coming up? R2:Get some magazines. Order them from this web site or countless others selling them. Bite hard! But in a sketch book that you will show no one. Once your style has emerged start to paint. Remember this when first painting, "Simple done right is fresh! And wild-style done poorly is Wack!" From there it's sketch a lot to progress your style, paint a lot to perfect your skills. Ratchet: Shout Outs? R2:Definately my crew THOUGHTS MANIFESTED: Audroc, Pako, Jeka, Codak, Zoom and NutSaK. And all the cool folks I've been kicking it with here in Knoxville. Let's keep united, no little bull-shit beefs that ruin a small scene.