How Futura 2000 Went From Graffiti Pioneer To Culture And Streetwear Icon

In this episode of “The Masters“ with host Eli Morgan Gesner, we meet Futura 2000, the graffiti legend whose influence spans streetwear, music, and culture. Possibly the most famous living graffiti artist, Leonard McGurr got his start on the streets of New York in the seventies with his “Futura 2000” tag popping up on subway lines across the city and catching the eye of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michele Basquiat. He went on to launch what many consider to be the first streetwear brand, toured with the Clash, and recently popped up at Paris Fashion Week creating a live painting during Virgil Abloh’s Louis Vuitton show. His work is known worldwide and his footprint on our modern creative culture is undeniable. NOTABLE MOMENTS FROM THIS EPISODE: 1:06 -- Futura talks about his first experiences with tagging and seeing graffiti. 1:55 -- Futura explains the origins of his iconic “Futura 2000“ tag. 4:15 -- Futura talks about meeting Basquiat and his work with Fab