Fab 5 Freddy chronicles NYC graffiti and hip-hop origins

Hip-hop pioneer Fred Brathwaite, known as Fab 5 Freddy, is chronicling the origins of New York City's graffiti and hip-hop culture in his new autobiography, "Everybody’s Fly: A Life of Art, Music and Changing the Culture," co-authored with Mark Rozzo.

The book explores the 1970s Bronx scene, specifically the 149th Street/Grand Concourse station, which served as a central hub for graffiti artists to exchange information and view new works. Brathwaite details his connection to influential artists like Lee Quiñones, whose large-scale works transformed subway cars into moving galleries.

The narrative also highlights the cultural impact of the 1981 film "Wild Style," directed by Charlie Ahearn. Featuring both Fab 5 Freddy and Lee Quiñones, the film documented the early intersection of graffiti, DJing, breakdancing, and music before hip-hop became a global industry. A restored Blu-ray version of the film has also been released.