Iz The Wiz RIP

by Staff, June 19, 2009

iz the wiz rip 1 Iz The Wiz RIP

The graffiti world recently lost one of its greatest pioneers with the unfortunate passing of Mike Martin, also known as Iz The Wiz. From his beginnings at the start of the 1970s, Iz The Wiz would make his way to the top of New York’s graffiti subway ladder and effectively cement himself as a legend. Through his efforts, he also made graffiti a more acceptable artform helping create public painting spaces among other contributions and for this, a legion of writers around the world will miss his presence. Alan Ket gives a detailed insight into his relationship with Iz The Wiz over at his 12ozProphet blog.

iz the wiz rip 2 Iz The Wiz RIP

iz the wiz rip 3 Iz The Wiz RIP

46 Responses

  1. Posted by: DocOne on July 3, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Rest in peace my brother, you were truly a poineer and will be sadly missed, make sure you and Dondi throw up some beautiful tags in heaven

  2. Posted by: Craze BAD INC 85 on June 26, 2009 at 9:17 pm

    This motherfucker is and alwayyz will be the KING OF GRAF…..I POUR ONE OUT FOR HIM…IZ IZ GRAF…IZ IZ THE KNIG!!!!!!!!….R.I.P……….ROCKAWAY 4 LIFE……….Legend, master, king, ICON!!!….U WILL B MISSED>……..

  3. Posted by: a on June 24, 2009 at 10:00 am

    Iz was an awesome artist but more so a friend to me. even though he had his illness he would stop by to see if i was doin ok. i would hook him up w/ his favorite, baked ziti and extra meatballs. i’m gonna miss you mike! a

  4. Posted by: johng on June 22, 2009 at 12:30 pm

    RIP, this is sad.

  5. Posted by: HUMAN -FLY I.D. on June 21, 2009 at 12:41 am

    Rest In “Piece”… (I hope your piece is a burner, my brother.)

    I had the pleasure of meeting Mike, when 2iL (S.I.C) brought him by my piece in cypress hills.
    He may be gone, but never forgotten.

  6. Posted by: Dave on June 20, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Someone should put a book together, like Zephyr did when Dondi died. R.I.P.

  7. Posted by: LaCokaAnthony on June 20, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    REST IN PEACE.

  8. Posted by: basic tm5 / tpa on June 20, 2009 at 9:16 am

    R.I.P IZ IZZY THE WIZ ANOTHER TRUE LEGEND IN THE UNDERGROUND WORLD OF GRAFFITTI. ONE

  9. Posted by: Firsto on June 20, 2009 at 8:58 am

    Legendary. A true loss.

  10. Posted by: MR 176 on June 20, 2009 at 7:28 am

    Thanks 4 inspiering me.
    Big lost 4 the graffscene

    R.I.P

  11. Posted by: RFC CREW NYC on June 20, 2009 at 3:17 am

    this dude was ill i never met him but used to see mad frieghts in the SUNNYSiDE FREiGHT YARD iN QUEENS NYC back in 1990 s all u see is iZ iZ iZ iZ iZ iZ fill ins this guy was a real graffiti writer word to mother .. u know homeboy bombing shit already where ever he at with out a doubt.. RiP ..

  12. Posted by: Andy on June 20, 2009 at 1:14 am

    “IZ” THE LEGEND ….graf pioneer R.I.P man!
    Your legacy lives on….while toys cuddle to they’re pillows!

  13. Posted by: DIEGO127 on June 19, 2009 at 11:09 pm

    REST IN PEACE TO THE HARDEST WORKING MAN IN THE GAME!

  14. Posted by: jakelabrake on June 19, 2009 at 10:53 pm

    ripi love you brother

  15. Posted by: MOSAK aka ZUER on June 19, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    R.I.P king kong aka IZ THE WIZ

  16. Posted by: wally on June 19, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    R.I.P IZZY!!!!

  17. Posted by: hades on June 19, 2009 at 6:35 pm

    IZ THE WIZ TMB
    rest in peace

  18. Posted by: hades on June 19, 2009 at 6:32 pm

    IZ THE WIZ R.I.P

  19. Posted by: frank on June 19, 2009 at 6:24 pm

    NO ONE GETS UP LIKE IZ……….SO 1 COP INC 3YB
    IZ IS IT AND THATS ALL BABE…….FADE 5 3YB

  20. Posted by: g2roc on June 19, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    Old writer dont die there paint just fades ………………………….. R.I.P TO IZ the wiz inspiring legions of writes to continue the movement

    Game2
    MTF .. GU
    BX, NYC

  21. Posted by: kurse on June 19, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    R.I.P. IZ
    gone but not 4gotten
    kurse
    illadelph

  22. Posted by: SE LEN TOPIC on June 19, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    IZ THE WIZ – TRUE LEGEND – REST IN ETERNAL PIECE.

    SE LEN TOPIC…

  23. Posted by: rajvosaa on June 19, 2009 at 4:15 pm

    …..RIP…..

  24. Posted by: Golightly on June 19, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    Respects to a legend. RIP.

  25. Posted by: FDT56 SALSA! on June 19, 2009 at 3:55 pm

    YOU WILL BE MISS MY BROTHER. GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE REST OF THE
    G-BROTHERS AND SISTER UP THERE.

    FDT56
    SALSA!

  26. Posted by: FAZEONER on June 19, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    RIP IZ

    Aqueduct Layups

  27. Posted by: d on June 19, 2009 at 2:47 pm

    Legend

  28. Posted by: ASINE on June 19, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Damn, that’s f*cked Up!!
    A real lost in the graffiti history..
    Words are not enough to respect and remember the oldskool bomber of America!!
    IZ fill the sky with rainbow colours and we know its you!

    R.I.P. IZ

    ASINE ONE
    Holland

  29. Posted by: Wbot on June 19, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Gotta respect these guys. Rip

  30. Posted by: JOHN on June 19, 2009 at 1:31 pm

    may IZ rest in peace

  31. Posted by: SOUNDCLOUD.COM/HUMBLEDINOSAUR on June 19, 2009 at 1:13 pm

    R.I.P. IZ

  32. Posted by: 5ives on June 19, 2009 at 12:44 pm

    Rest in peace my brother love ur work.

    5ives
    OnEs
    e.L.f

  33. Posted by: SEER.ONE on June 19, 2009 at 11:39 am

    Salite ur fallin’ soldier… ONE OF THE GREATS.

  34. Posted by: NorthStar on June 19, 2009 at 11:38 am

    R.I.P.

  35. Posted by: Craig Mack on June 19, 2009 at 11:15 am

    R.I.P. to a legend!

  36. Posted by: True. on June 19, 2009 at 10:19 am

    R.I.P. one of the pioneers.

  37. Posted by: Supernova on June 19, 2009 at 10:16 am

    R.I.P

  38. Posted by: Gio on June 19, 2009 at 10:12 am

    Another graffiti grandmaster passed away. Thank you IZ for all those beautiful old school art works, we will not forget you!

  39. Posted by: S.T.R.I.Z.Z.Y on June 19, 2009 at 9:49 am

    RIP. Martin.

  40. Posted by: Jay on June 19, 2009 at 9:11 am

    damm, what a loss :(

    Rest In Peace bro!

  41. Posted by: debs on June 19, 2009 at 8:31 am

    iz the wiz >>>>>>

    the world lost a great man. this guy is a legend. r.i.p.

  42. Posted by: DEEZY on June 19, 2009 at 8:21 am

    LEGENDARY.

  43. Posted by: end2end on June 19, 2009 at 7:58 am

    Damn, RIP Wiz…. graf just lost a(nother) legend

  44. Posted by: MARLO BROUGHTON on June 19, 2009 at 7:18 am

    DAYUM….HE WILL BE MISSED. R.I.P MIKE AKA IZ -LEGEND AMOUNG LEGENDS.

  45. Posted by: josh iowa on June 19, 2009 at 6:45 am

    RIP Iz The Wiz ……

  46. Posted by: farnsie on June 19, 2009 at 6:31 am

    You will be missed… R.I.P