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RIP Iz the Wiz

Images + Post By: claudia | June 18, 200923 Comments

Last night one of Graffiti’s greats passed – the legendary IZ the WIZ. Michael Martin (his real name) a Queen’s native was found collapsed in his brother’s home in Florida and was rushed to the hospital and later died of heart failure. This is just days after his art show at Tuff City in the Bronx. More after the jump……

Iz was considered one of the forefathers of hip-hop culture and graffiti art. He had been involved with the movement since the late 70’s. His work has been exhibited all over the world including books, documentaries, magazines, and the New York subway… RIP you will be missed.

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23 Comments »

algreato said:

Salute one of the pioneers of one of NYC’s mavaricks of Subway Art!

- 18 June 2009

Kenji said:

IZ was especially well known for his work on the A train in the late 70′s and early 80′s. I was lucky enough to know him and piece with him. He will be missed. TMB brother, RIP.

- 18 June 2009

Eddie Z. said:

Good riddance destroying of public property.

- 18 June 2009

HUTCH BYI said:

Eddie Z you’re obviously just another misinformed idiot. It’s wrong for him to paint on trains but it is okay for a corporation to plaster their ads all over the place? He didn’t simply vandalize, he pioneered an art movement that goes way beyond your tiny understanding of art. Fuck you for disrespecting Iz’s passing. You’ll be lucky to make the obituary page when you go douche bag.

RIP “The Master Blaster” IZ HE WIZ – TMB

- 18 June 2009

SiGn said:

Eddie Z. is a sad man. Bah!

- 18 June 2009

miss bee said:

RIP IZ!!!!!!!!!!!

- 18 June 2009

Strictly Norrland said:

I remember him talking about his lung problems on the bonus disc of the Style Wars DVD some years ago, which according to him, was due to the vast amounts of spray paint he was exposed to back in the day. Anyway, very sad to hear, a true legend indeed! He seemed like a very pleasant man!

R.I.P. Iz the Wiz

- 18 June 2009

A.CE said:

It saddens me when anyone can speak harshly of the dead. I pity your shallow ignorance Eddie Z.
Why bother saying something so negative?
So sad to note that Iz the Wiz said himself he would have traded his past fames for full health again.
He will be remembered, he was a true legend and inspiration to a great many including me – His inspiration will live on, i hope a few will be motivated to use a mask.
R.I.P a true pioneer.

- 19 June 2009

strappazoot said:

Dear Eddie Z

I hope you die of cancer

- 19 June 2009

lenzie van dahl... said:

well eddie z, guess ur a wannabe… u kno someone who craves attention, even on the back of a death of a legend such as iz, shame on u…

from ur comment i guess ur either some proper toy man, who aint got no clue on the history of graff, and/or u have no respect from anyone or ur not in the game at all… again if u were shame on u…

so now back to the man, who deserves so much respect and from peoples reactions he has got it, it is a sad day for graffiti in general…

the IZ is dead, long live the IZ!

peace

- 19 June 2009

Oeresund said:

Sad to hear that the legend is dead.

- 19 June 2009

MJ said:

Dont make this thread about Eddie Z.

I didnt know the guy, but thanks to him i have a jobb 30 yrs later. RIP

- 19 June 2009

frank said:

Long live the King of the A’s and J’s. your 3yb brother Fade 5

- 19 June 2009

claudia (author) said:

iz was definitely one of the nicest and most prolific of all time. he will be greatly missed and a hole is now left, within my heart.

- 19 June 2009

Sis Evelyn said:

My brother Michael Martin was a man with so many talents; he was very caring, loving, gentleman to the scholar. He would want everyone to know that he loved everyone who knew him and didn’t, he will be missed always. I want to thank everyone for the kindness that you showed through you e-mails.Thank you very much his sister Evelyn Poston 35 Avon Court, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 if anybody would like to write.
I was lucky enough to be with my brother at his last show in the Bronx at Tuff City Tattoo. He did his last graffitti in the yard on the trains it was beauiful, it took alot out of him, He went out in style like the king, and the legned of graffitti

TO IZ THE WIZ TMB

LOVE, SIS

- 19 June 2009

BZ! PCK said:

DAMMMM,……I CANT BELIEVE MAYOR KOCH OUTLASTED YOU..(I KNOW YOU WOULD LAUGH @ THE ONE BRO)..YOU WILL GO DOWN AS A LEGEND,AND I WILL HELP KEEP YER MEMORY ALIVE…BZ!

- 19 June 2009

KERS 1 CTB.TPA said:

R.I.P. IZ THE WIZ T.M.B.
”The Master Blasters”

- 20 June 2009

Jesse James said:

IZ TMB was a master. No one, in my opinion, did more in early graffiti as far as conceptualizing than IZ. Maybe Blade TC5 – same category. He was fucking amazing.

- 22 June 2009

Jets said: