Krylon Mystics- An Homage to Ghetto Hieroglyphics
“WRITERS”
NEW TRACK BY NAS AND DJ PREMIER.
This morning we woke up to a brand-new track from the legendary Nas and DJ Premier — and it’s already clear that “Writers” is a heartfelt tribute to the artists who helped shape hip-hop culture from the ground up. Nas pays homage to the graffiti pioneers and cultural architects who laid the foundation long before our genre saw mainstream acceptance. In his hands, writers and lyricists become two sides of the same coin, united by the urge to leave a lasting mark on the world.
The chorus: “Writers, writing my name in graffiti… I’m hard to read like graffiti” — repeats throughout the track, sampling Pharcyde’s “Passin’ Me By” and KRS-One’s “Out for Fame.” Nas draws a clear parallel between graffiti and lyricism: memorable bars are like memorable tags, bold, cryptic, unique.
Here, the mic becomes his marker for leaving his name on the metaphorical subway car of culture.
Nas continues by calling himself “a writer on a mission,” mirroring the way graffiti writers venture out at night to paint. He honors those who bomb trains and streets, portraying them as courageous, creative, and rebellious. He recalls seeing their work and wondering, “How did they get up there?” He’s clearly wanting to join in but ultimately channeling that energy into his lyricism.
This comparison strengthens the connection between graffiti and rap, highlighting the shared personality traits and grit needed to thrive in both subversive art forms.
Much like a “wholecar” — an entire train painted end to end — Nas covers massive ground as he rolls through a list of iconic graffiti contributers: Henry Chalfant, Lee Quiñones, Zephyr, Saint, Blade, Ink, Seen, Cave, Crash, Topaz, Taki 183, Cornbread, Phase 2, Quik, Fuzz, Case 2, Easy, Cap, Ghost, Germs, Cool Sphere, Charmin, Claw, Mad C, Lady Pink (never forgetting the queens), and West Coast legends like Slick, Dream, Chaka, and Hex.
He keeps the momentum going with another stream of shoutouts:
“TK, Cost and Revs, Bomb 5, Peek, Reese, V.E., Jesus Saves
2 Ills, Doze, PJ, Chino, Coco 144, Billy, Vinny, Flashbacks
J.A., XTC Crew… Baby 168, 1-Up, Can 2, Bates, Cal First…
Can Control, Futura, Estro, On The Run… Old Queens Boys…
Mad Style Kings, Most Talked About, Mob Rules… and more.”
These shoutouts highlight how deeply connected and international the graffiti community really is … one big family with a history worth celebrating.
Nas bridges lyricists and graffiti writers into one shared lineage, showing how both groups built the visual and sonic language that defines hip-hop today.
Addressing the risks graffiti writers face, Nas nods to the history of police confrontations and the stigma of “vandalism” that follows the art form. He even references Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat, underscoring the undeniable relationship between graffiti and fine art — and how both grew out of the same creative movement.
Nas ends the track on a motivational note, urging aspiring writers to get out, paint, and keep pushing. The message extends far beyond graffiti: it’s a reminder, echoing Mizta’s words, to “Do anything but stop.” Any creative pursuit demands dedication, resilience, and a mindset strong enough to keep going despite obstacles — and this is how culture continues to evolve.
Listen to the track below and stay tuned for the long awaited album “LIGHT-YEARS”
