Interview by: Jason “BROKE YA NECK”
Superchief Contributer
KR is the man behind KRINK, a company that makes paint, markers and tools used for graffiti. From the KRINK website:
To tell the story of Krink, the world’s quickest growing art supply line, you need to hear the story of KR: a terrible art student, a semi-successful vandal, and an entrepreneur who learned everything the hard way.
KR grew up in Queens in the ‘80s surrounded by graffiti writers, skaters, punks and B-boys. Graf was a part of the attitude as much as it was the landscape. Everything was very DIY: steal paint, illegal spots, make markers, emphasize your style, experiment with multiple tools and methods. A lot of it was also based in economy (or lack thereof): sharing and stealing were simply a necessary part of the creative process.
Superchief Contributor Jason “BROKE YA NECK” sat down with KR awhile ago and asked him questions about graffiti, people who bite his ideas, and his favorite stories from writing on the streets.
BROKE YA NECK TALKS TO: KR of KRINK
Jason: How is Krink?
Krink is great! Thanks for asking.
When, how and where did Krink get started?
Krink started in San Francisco, California in 1993. We started by experimenting to find the best way to get nice ink tags on the streets.
What got you into graffiti?
Being a bad kid that doesn’t care. Punk rock, hip hop, bad kid friends, skating, NYC.
Can u tell us some graffiti stories?
I’m not good at telling stories via email. I prefer campfires.
Got anther crazy story?
I once did a fill in on a truck while a prostitute was giving a crack head a blowjob right next to me. I was filling in and outlining. I could hear her sucking his dick! I caught a flick too. If you look close you can see the chicks arm. That fool is cracked out, getting his dick sucked!
How do you feel about people who bootleg your products?
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Would you like to say anything to them?
Stop biting! Jesus Christ! Get your own styles.
I recently saw some stuff online of this guy in Europe biting some of my stuff really hard. The thing that’s crazy is, he’s done a lot of really unique and interesting work. There is no reason he needs to jack my shit. It’s so frustrating.
Credibility’s stock price has plummeted over the years.
What makes for good graffiti?
Difficult to say. When you know, you know. It’s weird.
What makes graffiti toy?
Again, sometimes it’s totally obvious, other times, regular people think someone is good or bad and the opposite is true. Hard to describe.
FILL IN THE BLANKS:
A life is…
Friends and family. A creative force that you can’t fuck with.
My girl is…
Your girl? I never met your girl. My girl is the shit! She got mad game on so many levels. She’s big time making paper.
Irak crew is…
Doing it real big and lots of fools jock.
Scrap yard mark is…
His personal jihad is his daily grind, he told me so. He knows all kinds of gossip about writers, it’s too funny. I don’t know what he’s talking about. I like to ask him questions about Islamic radicals and then accuse him of visiting Pakistani training camps. Before he hangs up the phone he says, “Peace”, like he’s some hip hop dude.
Graffiti these days is…
I’m so out of touch. I like graffiti when I experience it in real life. Most of the writers I know are creative people who happen to write graffiti. They are not really involved in the “culture” or scene.
Graffiti in NYC is dying, but at the same time is spreading all over the world and getting bigger and bigger.
Krink is…
Bigger and Deffer. Follow the leader!
Other graffiti writers…
Write your graffiti, see if I care.
Broke Ya Neck is…
Very amusing.
Would u vote Hairley Clinton?
Yes, who else? Gouliani? Imagine that.
Hillary is tight ass wasp, To be honest, I’m not sure if she’s right for the job. I think she is a politician type who’s always shucking and jiving and has power and financial interests at heart.
America is in a really tight spot, we need someone who is down to make shit happen. Democrats are such pussies, it’s crazy.
The Republicans may be evil, but at least they are focused and push their agenda.
The Democrats are bumbling idiots. They should be ashamed.
This country needs a third party or more political parties/choices.
True democracy! Power to the people! No one cares.
What do you think of political art? For example Ron English or Banksy?
It’s cool. I’m not mad. I really like Banksy, I bought his book, I wasn’t even up on his shit until I came across it in a book store.
I like his sense of humor.
How come your paintings are so clean?
They’re not all clean. You know that. My new shit is really loose.
I noticed in your book, Photography and Art, you seem like you’re in love with lines. Can you tell us why?
I can’t. That’s my problem.
What’s the secret behind clean, clean, clean rollers?
Practice and patience. Let the first coat dry as long as you can. Also develop styles where stuff doesn’t really have to overlap. Every color is it’s own shape. Only use heavy nap rollers and exterior quality paint. Don’t do your first roller piece in the most booming spot you can find. Practice in a discreet location first.
It’s hard to tell in this flick, the wall is like 20 feet tall.
How come Krink is the best ink out there?
We make everything we do from the heart, and with love. Krink got it’s name and style from the streets, not from online message boards, hype, and hip hop graffiti stores. We didn’t make our products by following trends.
What makes you satisfied?
I am not satisfied. But a beach house, happy, healthy, friends and family, and good food is all I really want.
Do you have other interests other than graffiti?
Graffiti and hip hop are my life. Just kidding.
I really like to cook, eat, and drink. I like swimming in the ocean. I will swim all day way out in the waves. My girl hates it, and thinks I will drown. She tries to yell at me from the beach to come back. I just smile and wave back at her. I like art, music, and books. I’m a nerd.
What’s a usual day for KR?
Get up, ice coffee, go to office, try to hold it down so that I can keep the cable TV on. I work to pay my landlords. It’s really crazy. Pack boxes, move units. Hope to make something creative. Go home eat, drink fine wine, chill with my girl, sleep. I’m really domestic.
What kind of sneakers are you wearing now? Do you think they make you run fast?
Alife/Rite foot slip-ons. It’s funny that you mention it, because I actually do run faster and jump higher in these shoes. I can only dunk a basketball wearing these shoes.
How did you meet Espo?
We met through my old friend. DJ Shok La Rock aka Howie Dewitt.
How did you meet Twister?
We met in San Francisco, I’m not even sure anymore. Long time ago.
If you had to change your name what it would be?
Graffiti name? BOBO 6000
Who was your favorite person to go out with?
Writing? In SF, Twist and Reminisce. We did a lot of stuff. I used to catch tags in the street with Guess and Wise. We always had a good time and were never too serious. Good times.
What’s your favorite movie?
Apocalypse now.
What’s your favorite tool?
Krink markers
What’s your favorite color?
Silver
Who’s your favorite god?
Jesus Christ, he chilled with hookers, made sure there was nuff wine at the party, got wild on the dudes pushing up on his game at the temple, and said, Do onto others as you would have them do onto you. Can’t front on that! Obviously, I was raised a good Catholic boy. Allah and Yahweh are not as nice. Will there now be riots in Pakistan? Will I be sued?
Who’s your favorite artist?
I like a a lot of people. Richard Serra, Chris Burden, Rachel Whiteread, Ed Ruscha, Bill Burke, Christopher Wool.
What’s your favorite spot?
Krink on Mailboxes and doorways. When I was younger, Rooftops, I always enjoyed the view.
What’s your favorite font?
Helvetica
What’s your favorite beer?
I’m not the biggest beer drinker, I like light beers like Stella and Corona.
What’s your favorite girl?
My girl!
What’s your favorite drug?
Wine is the drug of choice these days. No weed, no coke, no pills, no heroin.
Just some fine wines. Reds or Whites, and of course, a nice Rose in the summer. Delicious! I think I’ll go get me some right now.
What’s your favorite place to be?
It’s really about the beach and the ocean. I really like nature, out west is amazingly beautiful.
What’s your favorite type of graffiti?
The good kind. I like good tags. I like pieces in illegal spots. Sento had a lot of illegal pieces in good spots here in Nyc awhile back. So dope! He was all city with pieces. I also like old simple Seen pieces on trains. Fire!
Quality or quantity?
Both. It depends on the person.
Bush or Saddam?
That’s a tough one. Since Bush exists in the “free” world, I have to pick him. He wants to be like Sadham, but he can’t because the Constitution is not completely eroded. Sadham would cut my balls off first chance he got and then gas them. AHHHhhhhh!
Fire extinguisher or roller?
Right now, fire extinguishers. It’s a lot looser. Good times.
Who is your hero?
My mother. She came here from a third world country and made an exceptional life here in the US. Plus she had to raise two difficult boys by herself.
What do you think of bootlegged bloodsucking vampire biters again?
A pox on their eyes! How dare they!
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I will be famous and in US weekly on a regular basis dodging the paparazzi.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I was not the most ambitious kid.
What you think of bootlegging bloodsucking vampire biters again?
May their first born be trampled by goats!
