{"id":3361,"date":"2013-04-10T09:53:17","date_gmt":"2013-04-10T13:53:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smartsign.com\/blog\/?p=3361"},"modified":"2026-02-10T05:02:10","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T10:02:10","slug":"new-nyc-street-art-hip-hop-signs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smartsign.com/blog\/new-nyc-street-art-hip-hop-signs\/","title":{"rendered":"New NYC street art blends hip-hop and signage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Jay Shells pays homage to classic rap lyrics at the locations that inspired them (via @TheRapQuotes<\/a>).<\/p><\/div>\n

Artist and designer Jay Shells posted over\u00a030 street signs for a project that memorializes rap lyrics using\u00a0street art. \u00a0The\u00a0initiative\u00a0stems from a key component in hip-hop culture: when a lyricists represents where they came from in their music.<\/p>\n

“On a park bench on 12th St., my whole crew’s famous”<\/em><\/p>\n

– Prodigy<\/em><\/p>\n

Walking through New York, you can\u00a0unknowingly\u00a0cruise by corners made famous by mentions in raps by legends like Big Daddy Kane<\/a> or Mobb Deep<\/a>.\u00a0Fans of hip-hop would agree that this is a shame: these aren’t just street corners. They\u2019re birthplaces of a culture. If we preserve homes of famous poets, artists, and politicians, how do rappers fit into that mold? Jay Shells is answering that question with his street-side installations. These lyrical signs are a tribute to the places that inspired these artists.<\/p>\n

However, Shells recognizes the reality that these street signs are hardly permanent.\u00a0\u201cI think people will steal these. Within a week, I think they\u2019ll be gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s fitting that instead of an archival walk through living room filled with Mozart\u2019s dentures and pilgrim kitchen utensils, Shells’s street sign landmarks are portable, have humble origins and a brazen attitude.<\/p>\n

His signs aren’t just limited to the most famous rappers, either. If you’ve got a rap calling out your corner, tweet him, and he’ll put up a sign.<\/p>\n

Want to see the big picture? Below is a Google map of Shells’s signs: take a tour, and tell us if the signs are still up if you live in one of these neighborhoods:<\/b><\/p>\n

Where will Shells post next? He’s currently selling t-shirts to support his project. You can find them here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Follow him on Twitter @TheRapQuotes<\/a>. \u00a0Check out his video below by\u00a0animalnewyork.com:
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