Frankie Palmeri interviews Korn One

FPBS :First off state your name and what you do?

I’m Jeffrey V. Korn and I’m a gamblero.

FPBS : We are only day’s away from 2009 , with graffiti being such a major outlet for
most business’s , and such a mainstream art form , what is your take on the graffit
movement now as oppose to 15 years ago?

KORN1 : When it comes to graffiti in mainstream culture I really don’t know much. I know it has it’s part in the fashion scene but that’s about all I know.

The one thing that’s definitely different about the NYC graff scene now than 15 years ago is that there aren’t as many New Yorkers bombing anymore. I would estimate at least 75% of the work being done in Manhattan and Brooklyn is done by writers who aren’t from here. Queens and the Bronx are mostly done by locals because most writers don’t give a shit about getting up in Queens and they’re too shook to go to the Bronx. Smart crew is one of the only native New York crews that still paints all boroughs. There are a few others but not many.

FPBS : I remember a classic audio interview you had done years ago , where you say something
to the effect of “If your doing this for a year and you still dont get it just quit”.
Do you still feel that way now? With so many writers having so many
avenue’s at there disposal , seems like everyone is chasing internet
fame and there seems to be little or no care how your shit looks now a days as long as your
out there destroying shit. What is more important to you , style or fame?

KORN1 :I never sought out graff internet ups. I’m sure it exists but it’s not the best way to go in my opinion. Graffiti is for surfaces not for pixels.

As far as the style or fame aspect goes, there is a quality and quantity ratio that exists. I feel the 2 are pretty equal. Others may tell you different. I give more respect to someone who can rate a 6 quality and 6 quantity, than 10 qualtity and 2 quantity or vice versa. If you’re killing shit and it looks wack, why bother? Come correct or don’t come at all.

The problem is unless you have true friends people aren’t going to tell you your stuff is garbage. If I have a booger hanging out of my nose please tell me, and if my throwie is toy please tell me that too. Sometimes the truth hurts but it’s necessary. In the Smart Crew we have definitely had interventions of sorts when someone was rocking a bad throwie. We worked it out and helped them develop something fresh.

FPBS : On the SMARTCREW blog spot , I notice there have been a lot of photo’s cataloged
from many places around the world. I am currently in Europe right now and it seems
like most of it has become a graffiti paradise. Have you visited anywhere that
caught you off guard in regards to graffiti and its popularity?

KORN1 :Europe is awesome for graffiti. They love it out there. We try to get around as much as possible. I was blown away when I was in Amsterdam chilling in my hotel and I watched a 5-7 minute segment about SEEN UA on fucking MTV. They were interviewing him like he was a rock star or something.

FPBS : There is a KORN tag right near SMART ST in Flushing , Coincidence?

KORN1 :I didn’t even know there was a SMART ST. in Flushing. I’m born and raised in Flushing too. Shame on me.

FPBS : Have you ever thought of entering the fashion world? Or have you already?

KORN1 :I studied graphic design among other things in college. I did work for a clothing company for a couple years that shall remain nameless. I didn’t enjoy it very much. It seemed all they wanted me to do was bite other designs and styles and put our name on them. Since then I’ve realized there is almost nothing original in the urban fashion industry. If I ever get back into that field I would have to be running my own company or working for some real ‘thinking outside the box’ types.

FPBS : So you run a blog about gambling , is it safe to say this is your new addiction?

KORN1 :These days, all my time is split between being with family and friends and trying to stack chips. I love my family and friends and I am addicted to playing poker.

FPBS : Correct me if I’m wrong but you have put some serious time into the graff game
but it seems by the following statement ” I am so out of the loop in the graffiti scene.
I live under a rock named poker. Its a nice rock. I like it” that you now have a very different outlook and medium in which
to feel the next up. I have a feeling you do this for more than the money.
Explain if you could where you are when you are folding the next hand.

KORN1 :My personality type is very compulsive. When I did graffiti it consumed my entire life. I spent all day racking paint and all night decorating our city. Sometimes this compulsive behavior is harmful to me because I neglect other aspects of my life. This is something I’m working on in myself. I never would have stopped writing if it wasn’t for the NYPD. I still love graffiti so much. At least I can live vicariously through my friends.

I love graffiti as a sport more than an art form. I’m very competitive in nature. When I was painting my goal was to get to the top of the graff game. I wanted to be up more than anyone else. At the time I was painting I did that, and it felt amazing.

The same goes for poker. I want to get to the top of this game. Money in poker is just a way to keep score. So far I’m on a good path in the right direction but I’m still in the trenches. ‘Paying my dues’ as they say. This is a brutal, frustrating game. I don’t mind the grind though. It will make getting to the top taste that much sweeter when I get there.

I’m leaving for London (Grovesnor UK Poker Tour) and Dublin (paddypoker.com Irish Poker Open) soon to play a handful of tournaments.

FPBS : The name KORN , who ever cant put two and two together doesnt deserve to be reading this interview.
So where is music in your life today? Are you still inspired by musicians and
what are you bumping now?

KORN1 :The music that inspires me now is written by my wife, Moxie Block. I won’t go on raving about her because that’s what you would expect me to do. I’ll let you guys listen and decide if you like it. She just created her first full length album ‘When You Were In Jail’ Check it out here:

http://www.myspace.com/jennyisblock

And yes the title track was written while yours truly was laid up on Rikers Island for a couple months. No worries, it was just the 6 building.

Music is also important when I play poker. A lot of the other players can be annoying at times so I play with headphones on to drown them out so I can keep my focus. Currently I’m lovinghttp://pandora.com/ (personalized online radio stations commercial free…I use the Iphone app) The stations I’ve been rocking the most are Daft Punk, M.I.A, Eric B. and Rakim, KId Cudi and Metro Station.

I haven’t listened to the band Korn since the late 90’s. I loved the first 2 albums and that’s where it ended for me.

FPBS : You seem to have a knack for writing. Have you ever thought of writing a biography? Or do you feel what you have
contributed to graffiti speaks for itself?

KORN1 :I hope to one day write an autobiography. But I’m not even half way done with my life so I have a lot more subject material to live before I start writing it.

FPBS : Any shout outs?

KORN1 :All my family and friends. You know who you are.

(via)

 

• Frankie Palmeri
• korn
• QUEENS
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