Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
KEO-XMEN is a graffiti writer from Brooklyn, who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and innovators of the New York City subway graffiti movement in the 1980s. He is also a creative director and illustrator, who has worked with some of the most influential hip-hop artists and groups of all time, such as MF DOOM, De La Soul, and Beastie Boys. He is a multifaceted and versatile artist, who blends and transcends the boundaries of graffiti, art, and music.
In this article, we will explore the life and work of KEO-XMEN, based on the research and findings of art critics, historians, and journalists. We will also look at how he challenges and inspires the graffiti, art, and music worlds with his original and rebellious approach.
The Early Years and Influences of KEO-XMEN
KEO-XMEN was born in 1971 in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a rural area, where he developed a love for nature and comics. He was always artistic, and started drawing on the walls with crayons at a young age. He was fascinated by the graffiti he saw on the subway trains and the streets, and viewed the writers as mysterious and heroic figures. He says: “I was obsessed with graffiti as a very young child. I was always artistic; some kids draw on the walls with crayons; I just never stopped.”
He started writing graffiti in 1983, at the age of 12, under the name KEO. He was inspired by the works of the graffiti legends of the 1970s and early 1980s, such as DONDI, LEE, SEEN, and ZEPHYR. He also admired the works of the comic artists, such as Jack Kirby, Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko. He says: “I was influenced by the ones who came before me, and I embraced the tradition to hone my aesthetic.”
He joined the X-MEN crew, one of the most prolific and respected graffiti crews in New York, in 1985. He became friends and partners with other members of the crew, such as REAS, CHINO, and WEST. He also wrote under other names, such as Lord Scotch or Scotch 79. He became known for his distinctive style, which combined elements of pop culture, comics, and classic animation. He says: “My style is a tribute to the preservation of traditional New York City subway graffiti, effortlessly blending influences from pop culture, comics, and classic animation characters.”
He painted hundreds of subway trains, walls, and rooftops, and became a legend in the graffiti scene. He also travelled to other cities and countries, such as London, Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney, and painted with other graffiti writers from around the world. He says: “Graffiti gave me the opportunity to travel and meet people from different cultures and backgrounds. It was a great learning experience and a lot of fun.”
The Creative Direction and Illustration of KEO-XMEN
KEO-XMEN was not only a graffiti writer, but also a creative director and illustrator, who had a significant impact on the hip-hop culture and industry. He started working with hip-hop artists and groups in the mid-1980s, when he was still a teenager. He says: “I was always into hip-hop, and I was lucky enough to meet and work with some of the artists I admired. It was a natural progression from graffiti to music.”
He worked with some of the most influential hip-hop artists and groups of all time, such as MF DOOM, De La Soul, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, and Wu-Tang Clan. He created logos, album covers, posters, flyers, and merchandise for them. He also designed the iconic metal mask for MF DOOM, the legendary rapper and producer, who passed away in 2020. He says: “MF DOOM was a genius and a friend. We had a great creative chemistry and a mutual respect. He trusted me with his vision and his identity.”
He also worked with other genres and mediums, such as rock, jazz, reggae, and film. He collaborated with artists and celebrities, such as Madonna, Elton John, The Rolling Stones, and Spike Lee. He also created his own comic books, such as The Adventures of Scotch 79 and The X-MEN Chronicles. He says: “I like to experiment and explore different forms and genres of art and music. I don’t like to limit myself or be pigeonholed. I like to challenge myself and the audience.”
He also founded his own creative agency, called Scotch79, which offers a range of services, such as branding, graphic design, web design, animation, and video production. He works with clients from various industries and sectors, such as fashion, entertainment, sports, and education. He says: “I enjoy working with different clients and projects, and helping them achieve their goals and dreams. I like to bring my experience and expertise to the table, and create something unique and memorable.”
The Current and Future Projects of KEO-XMEN
KEO-XMEN is still active and involved in the graffiti, art, and music worlds, and has many current and future projects in the works. He is currently exhibiting his works at All Is Joy Studios in London, in collaboration with Love Watts, a digital platform that showcases contemporary art, culture, and lifestyle. The exhibition, called Love Watts Presents KEO XMEN, runs from 7 September to 7 October 2023, and features a selection of his paintings, sculptures, and installations. He says: “I’m very excited and grateful to be working with Love Watts, who are doing amazing things in the art world. They have a great vision and a great network, and they have given me a lot of creative freedom and support.”
He is also working on a book, called KEO-XMEN: The Art and Life of a Graffiti Legend, which will be published by Rizzoli in 2024. The book will be a comprehensive and retrospective look at his career and achievements, featuring hundreds of images and stories from his personal archive. He says: “I’m very happy and proud to be working on this book, which will be a celebration and a documentation of my journey and my legacy. It will be a gift and a tribute to my fans and my peers, who have supported me and inspired me throughout the years.”
He is also working on new music, under his alias Trouble Andrew, which he adopted in the early 2000s, when he started producing and recording his own songs. He has released several albums and singles, and has collaborated with artists, such as Santigold, M.I.A., and Diplo. He is also working on a new project, called Dreamland, which will be a fusion of hip-hop, rock, and electronic music. He says: “I love making music, and I always have new ideas and sounds in my head. I like to experiment and mix different genres and influences, and create something fresh and original.”
KEO-XMEN is a graffiti writer, a creative director, and an illustrator, who has shaped and influenced the graffiti, art, and music worlds with his original and rebellious approach. He is a legend and an innovator, who blends and transcends the boundaries of graffiti, art, and music. He is KEO-XMEN, the graffiti legend who shaped hip-hop and collaborated with MF DOOM.
