An early video featuring Robert Del Naja has cast light on the early origins of Bristol Graffiti. Now better known for being a part of the music group Massive Attack. He was once just as well known for his graffiti. Many today still considering him to be a pioneer if not the UK’s first graffiti writer.
The video features Robert Del Naja speaking as 3D in the 80’s. It includes rare footage of the young artist creating work on the streets of Bristol. Painting on Lower Park Row he can be seen creating an image of Robert De Nero from Taxi Driver. An image that would go on to be featured in the ‘3D & the Art of Massive Attack’ book. It dates the piece and the interview to 1988, a time when Massive Attack themselves were being formed.
Interview with 3D on his Graffiti Art in 1980’s Bristol
Interview with 3D about Graffiti in Bristol
Roots of UK Graffiti
The interview provides a unique insight into the roots of UK graffiti. A scene that 3D states started in Bristol and in suburbs of cities like Birmingham. “We started before Wild Style and all those major influences came out” he says. It was a time before the seminal book ‘Subway Art‘ introduced the World to graffiti from the States. That was in 1984. After that, the London scene would really take off and “from that point on, everyone became a graffiti artist”.
Early Influences
Before then, graffiti was rarely seen in the media. He references some articles in Face Magazine and some music videos containing some elements of graffiti. Buffalo Gals from 1982 by Malcolm McLaren was one that stuck in the mind. New York writer Dondi can be seen in the video writing ‘Buffalo Gals’ in big yellow letters. Dondi would eventually go on to become known worldwide through the photographs of Martha Cooper and Subway Art.
Buffalo Gals Music Video with Early Graffiti
Buffalo Gals Video
If they don’t want me, I’ll do it somewhere else
Growing up in Bristol in the early 80’s. A young Del Naja had attempted to get into art school but was turned down twice. It was a big part of what led him to creating work on the street. “It’s just natural to think, well, if they don’t want me, I’ll do it somewhere else then”. His story echoes other graffiti writers of his generation. Not finding any sort of acceptance in the formal art world, the answer became the streets.
Selfish Things to Do
“It’s a very selfish thing to do, in a way, to go out and paint the streets” he says. “Because no one’s got any choice in looking at it. But then again, there’s so many things forced upon you in life, which you have no say in, no choices”. For 3D it became a way of putting himself out there. “I want to express myself, but I don’t want to be told when I can”. It’s something he says which is “just completely a free expression… an amazing feeling of achievement”.
Early Bristol Scene
In those early days, around 1983, what would become graffiti was really only just getting started. Del Naja shares how he would go out painting with a friend who would act as a ‘look out’. Another crew called the ‘Z Boys’ started soon after and for a while he says there was a little rivalry. Soon they joined up and eventually all started painting together. It was a time when Bristol was also becoming known for it’s ‘sound system’ scene. Music and art started to form separate parts of an exciting movement unique to the city.
John Nation and the Early Days of Bristol Graffiti
John Nation talks to Big Rat TV
The Wild Bunch
It was that blend of art and music that would provide the sweet spot. In 1984 a sound system group called the ‘Wild Bunch’ was formed. 3D joined and worked on their artwork, helping to give the collective a distinct look. He soon evolved and became known as a lyricist and a freestyle rapper. The Wild Bunch would start to be known across the city and other sound system collectives would form. It was a moment in time that helped to form a distinctive Bristol sound. What would ultimately become known as ‘Trip Hop‘.
What is the Wild Bunch?
A film about the Wild Bunch and its roots
Massive Attack
Fast forward to 1988 and the Wild Bunch is the basis on which Massive Attack would be formed. The Wild Bunch had split up in 1986. Some of it’s key influences going their separate ways. Former members Nellee Hooper and Miles Johnson aka DJ Milo both left. Hooper to work with Soul II Soul and Milo to move to America. Del Naja, Grant Marshall known as Daddy G and Andrew Vowles known as Mushroom would eventually form Massive Attack.
Early Days
Where Massive Attack are now is a far cry from those early days in 1983 painting on the street. Del Naja describes conditions that would be familiar to most graffiti writers trying to make their way. He talks about achieving his potential. About going out in the dark and in the winter months. Working with poor quality spray cans. Needing to do so without gloves as otherwise you don’t have control over the paint. This despite them being metal and feeling like a block of ice when using them. The pain and the sometimes terrible conditions. All made up for by the extreme buzz you get from painting on the street.
Graffiti Doesn’t Make Sense
“It doesn’t make sense, does it?” says Del Naja at the end of the video. “Graffiti doesn’t make sense… I don’t think anyone could make sense out of graffiti”. It’s got so many different values and aspects and it’s not plain and simple. “It’s crime and it’s art and that’s all that was. All it is. You can’t change that”.
Robert Del Naja aka 3D was interviewed by Morris Weeks and Philip Johnson in a film for Filton Technical College. The video is available to view on youtube here. This article is based on that video.
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