I've been a graffiti writer since 1998 when i was in junior high growing up in LA PUENTE CA SGV...when i started skating. I always been a fan of graff, art, and the culture. It has just always been apart of my life. It is not even a hobby, its life, so it was pretty automatic that I wanted graffiti to be apart of anything I did, and it plays a big role. because its part of the culture, I always wanted to throw shows or attend shows where we can actually paint and have permission, and with these events, it plays a big role, because it is the even. It is like having guest MCS OR DJS, we have guest GRAFFITI ARTIST, and i really want them to get shine, and be lifted up for what they do as part of the events, and for them to be the HEADLINERS ALSO OF THE SHOW. It's the culture, and that's what we represent, the people, and artist's, and graffiti writers in it. I don't want it to just be an after thought. IT IS THE SHOW AND A BIG PART OF IT. Bringing so many graff heads together as one to flex there skills, it's energy, it's freedom at it's best, especially when we are in a location we technically don't have permission for..its literally freedom, and occupying our territory, and space for a day. It's our fist in the air. and that's how I always looked at graffiti also.It feels like Rage Against The Machine type shit... haha punk
rock gangster shit..
How do you decide on who to invite? Where do people paint if the yard has no spots?
There are graffiti writers i have followed and respected for years..that I'm honored to say have been apart of our events, and those are the ones I invited first, but at first, I'd announce it and give an open invitation to all graffiti writers. It was always a first come first serve type of plan. It's like a free for all, but as the shows got bigger I would have more of a line up of graffiti writers. It is similar to curating a dj line up. The line up would get 1st pick on wall space. Any one after that coming to paint would have to find space if there is any, but as we continued to grow, I want to rotate the line up, and give all graffiti writers a chance to shine and not just come to paint, but be apart of the event, giving them a flyer to share, promoting them, lifting them up as graffiti artist. we want to showcase there work, and actually be apart of the event, rather than just random heads coming to paint, but we welcome that to haha.

What are some of the problems that have happened from past events?
Luckily, and blessed to say, we havent had any real problems or major problems.. the only problems we had I can say, is the cops showing up, and that happened only a few times in the past 5 years I been doing it. For the most part everyone shows respect, so over all it's been really great and smooth, but always lil problems like," I forgot some wire connections" or "gas for generator". haha.. but that's like lil things that comes with throwing events sometimes... haha. always forgetting something, but it hasn't happened in a while because we got our routine down pretty good.
What are some goals you have with this event model?
My goal is to take it to a legit location. I want somehwere big enough to have the same capacity, and vibez, where we can paint, and still do what we do. I envision taking it to the next level. I am working on getting sponsors, and more people involved. My goal is to be in a place where i can provide paint for all graffiti artist, and even pay them, get bigger acts, bigger performers, provide a place for vendors to make money and sell their food, clothing, art, ect.. I want this to be a festival.
Where ( location wise) have you done shows?
Elysian park, frog town LA river location, LA river near down town, the middle of the desert in the middle of now where, the beach, we've done warehouse locations in down town. We are literally always scouting and looking for locations, because I like to change it up.
Clearly it doesn't seem like it is about money so what is it about?
I'ts about building a foundation, and platform for the culture. The culture to me, is hip hop, junglist elements. That includes art, music, producing, mcing, djing, graffiti, and now so much more. The culture is adding independent vendors, food vendors, ganja vendors, clothing vendors. It's about building this brand and platform so we can take it to the next level, so it can pay for itself to keep running, and becoming its own entity. for the people to have a place to call home. I want to bring back those rock the bell vibez.
To other folks that throw parties or similar events what advice do you have for them if any.
My advice is be original, scout your locations yourself and take the time to find your own spots. Don't use other people's spots. You just don't do that ,even growing up throwing and being apart of punk shows. We tried never using each others spots, but for venues that will happen... so no biggy. I would say with renegade parties it seems like all these cats are now doing it, and it's become a thing here in LA ever since we've done it in 2017. There has been a flood of these type events. Recently someone used our spot and even took out a map we made and used it. haha its like really? who does that? Make your own maps, find your own spots, and do it the right way, or at least have respect to reach out. My advice is, have fun, take your time, have respect for your fellow promotors and organizers. This is LOS ANGELES. we are all here.but have respect. There in no need to step on each others toes. You should reach out and maybe we can do something together.

What are your favorite pieces from past events and why?
My favorite pieces have been from artist like, jaber,sensae,cion,gaso,pryer,derse,all the sd writers that came down this last event, so many to name, but I named those because I really respect them and followed them for years.There are too many to name but every artist, every time, even if its just a bomb style, if they came to throw down and represent with there best work. Big ups to all artist's and graffiti writer's who ever painted at CONCRETE JUNGLE LA!!!
RetroPro01
August 22, 2022
I have been a true supporter of Underground JUNGLE LA since 1998 and its when I finally met Dier Times late 2021 that I knew I finally met a real OG Soldier of the Underground Scene. I am proud to say I will always be a Jungle Sista of DierTimes and all Concretejunglesessionsla Crew!!!! BRAAAAP MADLUV AND RESPECT!!!!!