The Golden Rules

ESPO’s Golden Rules of Graffiti: A Writers Wisdom

Introduction-
ESPO (Stephen Powers) laid down some of the realest guidelines for writers—rules that hold up even today, although not everyone follows them. Essential ethics to conducting yourself within this experience.

1. You Suck Until Further Notice
   It’s gonna take a long time before anyone even acknowledges your existence. To speed up the process, choose a name that looks good, sounds good, and carries weight. “ARGUE” (RIP) was a solid example—strong lettering, a tough attitude. On the other hand, a name like “ENEMA” (actual name, example provided by ESPO) sets you up for failure from the start.

2. “Can’t call yourself the best baseball player if all you do is pitch”-NM
   Permission walls, stickers, and dust tags are all part of the game, but if you’re not using paint and developing style variations for different situations, you’re falling behind. The best writers know their styles inside and out, they go bigger every time they go out, and can easily adapt their style to any surface or scenario.

3. Respect the Five Fingers of Graffiti
   These are the core rules:

• Don’t write on houses of worship or personal homes.

• Don’t write over another writer’s name.

• Don’t tag tombstones or memorial walls.

• Don’t hit cars—beef over that is next-level serious.

• Keep civilians out of your problems.

Know these like the back of your hand. They separate real culture from reckless destruction.

1. Bite Now, Innovate Later
   When you’re new, you’re a toy, it’s part of the process. Bite styles, steal color schemes, and mimic letterforms. The old heads will just laugh it off, knowing they influenced the next generation. However, once you start to understand why certain styles work, it’s time to evolve. True style isn’t copying, it’s reinventing.

2. If They Didn’t See You, It Didn’t Happen
   Cops love graffiti as much as you do—just in a different way. The more walls you wreck, the more they’ll pay attention. If you stay in misdemeanor territory and keep your mouth shut, they can’t build a case. The golden rule: if they didn’t see you do it, don’t admit to anything. Snitching will ruin you, period.

3. Stay Humble, Stay Hungry
   Thinking you’re the king? There are writers who have been getting up for 20+ years who will humble you real quick. If you stop pushing yourself, you fall off. Keep working, keep improving, and keep your ego in check.

4. Graffiti Is Free—Enjoy It
   Graffiti isn’t just about fame. It’s about fun, adventure, and making your mark. If it stops being fun, you’re doing it wrong. The streets are waiting, go get your name up.

Artwork by Steve “ESPO” Powers

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