WELCOME TO LOS ANGELES 2013 | Graffiti Journey

Welcome to Los Angeles 2013 – Discovering the Graffiti Culture of LA

In 2013, I had the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles with friends from my graffiti collective, the CBS Crew. For many graffiti artists around the world, Los Angeles represents a mythical destination, a city whose visual culture, murals, lettering styles and strong Latino influence have shaped generations of artists.

This journey was an opportunity to immerse myself in one of the most influential urban art scenes in the world and to meet artists whose work had inspired me for years from across the Atlantic.

Shortly after arriving in Los Angeles, I joined Drast to paint on Melrose Avenue, one of the city’s most iconic artistic and cultural districts. Known for its street art, creative energy and constantly evolving visual landscape, Melrose Avenue offered an ideal setting to begin this adventure.

Painting in Los Angeles was a unique experience. The city possesses a distinct visual language where murals, graffiti, tattoo culture, lowrider aesthetics and Latino influences coexist and shape the urban environment. Every neighborhood reveals a different facet of the city’s artistic identity.

The journey continued in Silver Lake, where I met Dytch66 and participated in the GFA International Graffiti House event. This project brought together artists from different countries in a unique indoor environment combining graffiti, exhibitions and gallery presentations.

Unlike traditional outdoor graffiti jams, the event created an intimate space where visitors could discover works in progress while interacting directly with the artists. The project highlighted the growing dialogue between graffiti culture and contemporary art spaces.

During this event, I had the chance to paint alongside artists such as Binho, Tewsr and Cale. These encounters reinforced one of the aspects I value most in graffiti culture: the ability to create connections between artists from different countries, backgrounds and visual traditions.

One of the highlights of the trip was undoubtedly the opportunity to paint with the legendary Tkid. Considered one of the pioneers of West Coast graffiti culture, Tkid has influenced countless artists through his innovative lettering and his contribution to the development of graffiti in Los Angeles.

Sharing a wall with an artist whose work had inspired generations of writers was both humbling and unforgettable.

For this mural, I painted a skull inspired by the visual culture of Latino communities in Los Angeles. For many years, this aesthetic had influenced my artistic vision in France through murals, tattoo art, lowrider culture and the iconography associated with Día de los Muertos traditions.

The piece was conceived as a tribute to this cultural heritage and to the visual richness that characterizes many neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Through this work, I wanted to acknowledge the influence that Latino culture had on my artistic development.

Another memorable experience was the opportunity to paint the vehicle of Trek, one of the producers involved in organizing the event. Transforming a vehicle into a moving artwork offered another perspective on urban artistic practice and demonstrated how graffiti can extend beyond traditional walls.

Beyond the murals themselves, this trip was above all a human adventure. Los Angeles is a city where cultures, influences and artistic disciplines intersect continuously. Every encounter brought new ideas, new perspectives and new friendships.

Looking back, this journey occupies a special place in my artistic path. It allowed me to discover firsthand many of the influences that had shaped my work for years while establishing connections with artists I deeply respected.

The city would continue to play an important role in my travels. Several years later, Los Angeles became one of the key stops during multiple editions of The Road Warriors projects in 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 and 2025, confirming the lasting relationship I developed with this unique urban environment.

Welcome to Los Angeles 2013 remains a testimony to the power of travel within graffiti culture. Beyond the walls and paintings, it represents the encounters, discoveries and shared experiences that continue to define the spirit of graffiti around the world.