Kill Tha G Word - The Italian Years of P.H.A.S.E. 2

SPECTRUM presents "Kill Tha G Word - The Italian Years of P.H.A.S.E. 2", a bilingual book that delves into P.H.A.S.E. 2's profound influence on the Italian hip hop movement from 1984 to 2012. This book celebrates P.H.A.S.E. 2's creative legacy with a collection of unreleased visuals and personal insights, curated to honor urban culture worldwide.

"Kill Tha G Word - The Italian Years of P.H.A.S.E. 2" offers a unique and comprehensive exploration of P.H.A.S.E. 2’s contribution to the Italian Hip Hop scene, covering his journey from 1984 to 2012. This book goes beyond typical documentation, combining unreleased photographs, drawings, and notes to give readers an intimate view of P.H.A.S.E. 2’s creative process and philosophy.

P.H.A.S.E. 2 was a pivotal figure in the evolution of graffiti, originating in the South Bronx in the early 1970s. Known for creating the iconic "softies" or "bubble letters," he revolutionized style writing, turning it into a visual language that continues to inspire artists today. His influence was not confined to New York; in 1984, P.H.A.S.E. 2 arrived in Italy for the Arte di Frontiera exhibition in Bologna, which marked a turning point for the Italian art scene, igniting a culture that would shape generations of urban artists.

With Maurizio D’Apollo's extensive knowledge and passion as curator, "Kill Tha G Word" highlights key moments in P.H.A.S.E. 2’s Italian years, including collaborations, conventions, and the groundbreaking publication of "Style: Writing from the Underground" in 1996. It captures the cultural exchanges between Italian creatives and P.H.A.S.E. 2, emphasizing his contribution to Hip Hop’s foundation in Italy.

The book also addresses P.H.A.S.E. 2’s ongoing battle against the reductive label “Graffiti,” a term imposed by mainstream media that failed to recognize the cultural value and artistic innovation of the Writing movement. The title "Kill Tha G Word" reflects this fight, standing as a symbol of his dedication to elevating Writing as a recognized and significant art form.

Kill Tha G Word features over 300 full-color photos across 412 pages, with contributions from influential figures in the Italian hip hop scene. Published by SPECTRUM, it serves as an essential reference for writers and urban culture enthusiasts. The book also embodies SPECTRUM's commitment to supporting projects that unveil underground perspectives often hidden from the broader audience.

The book will officially launch on Thursday, November 21, at SPECTRUM in Milan, Via Felice Casati 29, starting at 6:30 PM. The remaining copies will be available on spectrumstore.com starting November 22.