Oral History Interview with Louie Diamondz

Material Information

Subjects / Keywords:: Graffiti -- Florida -- Miami
Graffiti artists -- Biography -- Florida -- Miami
Hip-Hop Scene -- South Florida
Genre:: Interview
Spatial Coverage:: United States -- Florida -- Miami
Coordinates:: 25.80122 x -80.20065

Abstract:: This oral history interview with Louie Diamondz, conducted on April 4, 2024, explores his journey into the world of graffiti and breakdancing. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in South Florida, he recounts how his early fascination with graffiti, sparked by observing throw-ups on highways, evolved into a deeper connection with hip-hop culture through breakdancing. He describes his experiences navigating the South Florida hip-hop scene, his involvement in breaking since the late 1990s, and how the two art forms—graffiti and breakdancing—are intertwined. He also discusses how these elements of hip-hop culture helped him forge relationships, both locally and beyond, as he traveled to events and jams in places like California. The interview provides insights into the artistic and cultural landscape of graffiti and breakdancing in Miami and its significance to Louie Diamondz personally and to the broader hip-hop community.
Funding:: This content is part of a Mellon Foundation-funded project coordinated by the Wolfsonian Public Humanities Lab (WPHL) at FIU and eight community partner institutions titled “Community Data Curation: Preserving, Creating, and Narrating Everyday Stories.”

Aggregations:: Museum of Graffiti
Community Data Curation - Preserving, Creating, and Narrating Everyday Stories