SONIC (BAD INC)

SANS TITRE (Untitled)
Marqueur sur plan de métro en vinyl de New York Signé
Marker on NYC vinyl subway map; signed
116 X 75,5 CM - 455/8 X 293/4 IN.

Jesse Rodriguez AKA “Sonic”

Born and raised in New York City and one of seven children, Jesse started developing his art at a very young age. He used this gift to his advantage from early on. It became a source of escape. A way to break away from poverty, as his expression goes,  “I was always rich…with talent!”

Being of Puerto Rican/Spanish decent, the lush, tropical island of Puerto Rico inspires him through its vibrant landscape and rich heritage, giving him a deep appreciation of colors and style. The political estrangement of the island is an important subject and continues to influence his life and art.

In the 1970's, during the time of Hip-Hop’s beginnings, when graffiti was relegated to tags and bubble letters, Sonic brought unique artistic elements to graffiti. Pioneering graffiti styles still used today. Sonic is regarded for his creation of the folding letters and his aptitude for transforming letters into characters and figures. In the early 1980’s he painted the infamous “Revolution” and “World War III” top to bottom on NYC subway cars. Such other noteworthy trains he painted were “Naked Lady”, “Sonic Boom’ and “Sonic/ Rammellzee/ Dondi” just to name a few. Sonic went on to be one of the most prolific muralists of his time. His graffiti has been photographed by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant and showcased in many art books, magazines, movies, video games, fashion, galleries, and walls throughout the last three decades.

Sonic has made an indelible mark on the Hip Hop Culture.

In 2002, Sonic took his art abroad. Exhibiting at Mix'Art Myrys and painting murals throughout Toulouse, France. This was the beginning of a significant and enduring relationship with Sonic, his crew BAD (Boys Are Down) and MAC crew- his French graffiti family.

Sonic is currently re-creating his graffiti history, by documenting some of his most notable trains, on canvas. He continues to travel internationally bringing his graffiti culture, full of bold colors and original hip hop style, to countries such as Germany, Amsterdam, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Belgium and throughout France, while still exhibiting in New York.