GRAFFTV

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he reflects on the recent passing of two iconic members, BOKE and 47ER. TOOMER shares how BOKE's passing hit him deeply, highlighting the strong bond they shared over years of collaboration. He also recounts a poignant moment with 47ER, when he tried to help him seek medical attention before his untimely passing.

In addition to these losses, TOOMER looks back on the rise of young talents like ZERK, recalling the moment when he realized they no longer needed help on walls.

These reflections capture both the highs and the heartache of life in the underworld.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he recalls his first encounter with the groundbreaking figure, TRIBE TKO. It was a chance meeting on the Vermont bus heading toward Olympic Boulevard, where two female writers noticed Toomer's tags and struck up a conversation. What followed was a day of mischief and graffiti, beginning with Toomer’s introduction to Korean food.

Toomer paints a vivid picture of Tribe’s rise to fame, not just as a graffiti pioneer but as one of the first women to reach legendary status in the male-dominated underworld. Tribe’s influence didn’t stop there—Toomer reflects on her groundbreaking role as a celebrity DJ long before the social media era, headlining events where the DJ was the star, something that’s now commonplace.

Watch the clip to hear Toomer’s full story about how two legends met on a bus and went on to shape two iconic cultures—graffiti and DJing.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he opens up about stepping away from the graffiti scene to embrace a quieter life. The legendary vandal reveals that for the first time, his vacations were not centered around graffiti, as he married and took a break from the adrenaline-fueled world of criminal vandalism.

Toomer also reflects on no longer being the leader of TKO, saying the crew now governs itself, a sign of its strength and evolution. He shares how he once assembled what many would call the “Avengers of Graffiti,” as every member in TKO went on to become an All-Star and legend in their own right.

Toomer's insights paint a picture of a man who has lived multiple lives—both in and out of the spotlight.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he opens up about the gritty realities of the 1990s graffiti scene, a time when tagging crews faced mounting pressure to join gangs. Toomer, in his characteristic candidness, shares how his crew, TKO, skillfully navigated the era's gang politics, refusing to affiliate with any neighborhood.

The legend speaks passionately about the fate of many young writers who ended up behind bars during this turbulent period, missing half their lives over kid decisions.

Tension spikes when Toomer becomes visibly agitated after the host refers to the tag-banging era as a "dark age" for graffiti. The veteran vandal is quick to correct the misconception, delivering an impassioned defense of the culture and its evolution.

This raw and unfiltered exchange sheds light on a time when graffiti was more than fun, it was a fight for survival. Tune in for an insider's perspective from one of L.A.’s most revered legends.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he reflects on the perilous "tag-banging" era that gripped L.A. in the mid-to-late '90s. Toomer recalls how Fox 11 News seized the moment, coining the term "tag-banging" and fueling a media narrative that painted the graffiti community as public enemies.

With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics looming, Toomer warns of an impending crackdown. As the city gears up for the global stage, he predicts a new wave of beautification projects aimed at scrubbing graffiti from the streets—along with harsh legal consequences for those caught in the act. Fines, felonies, and prison time could be the price vandals pay as L.A. seeks to reinvent itself before the big games.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he delves into the adrenaline-charged world of the Bus Mobbing Era in Los Angeles Graffiti. He recounts when vandals tagged buses with markers, scribers, and even spray cans—turning city transit into moving blackbooks.

Toomer shares stories of distracting bus drivers during late-night rides while stealthily tagging the bus interiors. He also mentions the names of several other writers who became legends of that bus-mobbing era, their tags well-known and recognized throughout the city's transit system.

In a twist, Toomer also sheds light on the Ghost Team (Graffiti Habitual Offenders Suppression Team), a unit dedicated to tracking and building cases against the most notorious vandals across Los Angeles.

The interview closes with Toomer’s vivid memories of his favorite bus lines, the rush of the streets, and how the Ghost Team sought to bring this criminal era to a halt.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he breaks down what it really takes to earn his respect in the world of graffiti. The legendary writer shares that no one truly proves themselves until they’ve been raided, battled a legal case, or served jail time—only to return to the streets.

TOOMER speaks candidly about survival, noting that writers who continue to write even after being shot at or gaining enemies have earned his respect.

He also addresses one of the central decisions every graffiti writer must make: whether to join an established crew or create their own. TOOMER dives into the risks and rewards of both paths, urging writers to consider their long-term impact on the scene. He also uncovers a hidden layer of the graffiti world—a global game that many writers are unaware of.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, the well-known leader of the infamous TKO crew shares his most valuable advice for anyone leading a crew.

Toomer reveals rarely heard wisdom from his journey, showing how he elevated TKO to legendary status—not just in Los Angeles but around the world. He dives into what it takes to recruit new members, revealing whether 'heart' is the number one quality he looks for.

The vandal also discusses a critical decision every leader faces: is it more important to make your crew well-known or to make a name for yourself? Don’t miss these powerful insights from a true icon of Los Angeles.

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he details the origins of the iconic TKO crew and how he chose those three powerful letters that would soon dominate the streets.

The vandal goes on to detail how struggles in school led to him getting kicked out several times, which surprisingly turned into a blessing in disguise. These experiences brought him into contact with some of the best graffiti vandals across Los Angeles, who would go on to become part of his new crew.

Don't miss this inside look at the creation of one of LA’s most notorious graffiti crews and the unexpected twists that helped shape its rise to fame!

In the next clip of our exclusive sit-down interview with Los Angeles graffiti legend TOOMER TKO, he takes us back to the gritty streets of downtown LA, where gangs ruled the blocks and danger was around every corner. As he rose to fame, Toomer navigated this intense landscape with caution, sharing how he skillfully avoided conflicts with gang members while painting his name across the city.

He also opens up about a pivotal moment in his journey—the first time he picked up a copy of the iconic Teen Angel magazine. This magazine, filled with prison art and stories from LA's street gangs, became an early source of inspiration that fueled his drive to become a Los Angeles legend.