Downtown Manhattan Skate Culture, High-Speed Tags & Modern Art Icons
Born on the streets of the Lower East Side and SoHo in 1998, IRAK NYC bridged the gritty worlds of downtown skateboarding, shoplifting lore, high-octane tagging, and contemporary fine art. IRAK proved that raw street writers could dictate global fashion, skate deck culture, and museum exhibitions.
Founded by Earsnot with early members and longtime legends like Futura 2000, Dash Snow (SACE), Kunle Martins, and Cope2 moving through the circle, IRAK created iconic adidas collaborations, transformed SoHo roll-down gates, and cemented downtown skate-graffiti culture worldwide.
To prevent random visitors from claiming profiles or adding unverified members, every writer claiming a profile (e.g. @PHEVER, @ANGER, @MEAR ONE) or applying to join [IRAK] must submit their Official Email Address and Instagram Handle.
Kunle Martins (EARSNOT IRAK)
Lower East Side, NY • Active since 1997 • Specialty: Scribe Tags, Downtown Bombing & Stickers
“IRAK founder & downtown NYC rack-and-bombing legend.”
Leonard McGurr, known historically as FUTURA 2000, pioneered abstract aerosol art in 1980 when he painted the seminal subway car 'Break'—stripping traditional lettering entirely in favor of cosmic atmospheric fields. Collaborator with The Clash, mentor to downtown NYC skate culture, and creator of the iconic Pointman character, Futura is a living legend of global contemporary art.
Fernando Carlo Jr. (COPE2) is an internationally celebrated graffiti icon from Kingsbridge in the South Bronx. Painting subway lines throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Cope2 became the undisputed master of the New York bubble throw-up and aggressive wildstyle burners, maintaining a relentless street presence for over four decades.
The quintessential Bronx bubble throw-up by the master himself. Painted in classic white fill, bold crimson outline, and heavy black shadow underneath an active Kingsbridge elevated train station.
A three-deck skate triptych created by FUTURA 2000 featuring his iconic Pointman silhouette navigating spinning cosmic atomic rings and hand-applied aerosol splatters. Commissioned in downtown Manhattan.
COPE 2 SPEAKS #graffiti #graff #art — Official Graffiti Encyclopedia video documentation featuring Fernando Carlo Jr. (COPE2 KD) (IRAK).
GRAFFITI BEEF: COPE2 VS UTAH & ETHER — Official Graffiti Encyclopedia video documentation featuring Fernando Carlo Jr. (COPE2 KD) (IRAK).
👑 FROM THE 80s & STILL PUTTING IN WORK 👑 Love or hate him Cope2 never stops 💯 #graffiti #GmanGK — Official Graffiti Encyclopedia video documentation featuring Fernando Carlo Jr. (COPE2 KD) (IRAK).
Upfest unites more than 400 street artists from 70 nations across the walls of Bristol—the graffiti capital of the UK. From massive multi-story building murals to frantic 30-minute blackbook battles, Upfest draws over 50,000 global attendees.
Bedminster & Southville Street District — Bristol, UK / Global
Where skateboarding and street bombing collide. Writers from MSK, CBS, and IRAK paint the Venice Beach concrete skate bowl and custom 7-ply skate decks alongside live pro vert bowl jams right on the Pacific shoreline.
Venice Beach Boardwalk Skate Park — Venice Beach, CA
WALL\THERAPY is an inspiring art and community intervention project that brings world-class aerosol artists to paint towering exterior walls throughout Rochester, raising funds and awareness for global medical relief.
Public Market & South Wedge District — Rochester / NYC