31. Graffiti writing, hip-hop culture, and finding faith with Matthew 'Mistery' Peet

Can graffiti writing and hip-hop be used as a force for good?

On Episode 31 of the B-side, I speak to Matthew Peet, aka Mistery, one of Australia's most long-standing, influential, and prolific graffiti writers and a pioneer of hip-hop culture down under.

Matt has been spraying walls, striking B-boy stances, spitting knowledge, and spreading the good word since the 80s. His work can be seen throughout Sydney (with many pieces covering walls in my old stomping ground of Petersham) and across the world, from the UK, France, Belgium, USA, Germany and New Zealand. And he's been commissioned by Coca Cola, Sydney Theatre Company, the Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and MAD Magazine, along with doing hundreds of pieces for many private and community-based organisations.

Mistery discusses growing up in the multicultural melting pot of Sydney's southwest and inner west in the '80s and how hip-hop brought people from all backgrounds together. And how he moved away from a destructive path of gangs and spraying walls illegally to a more positive one, using graffiti and other elements of hip-hop culture as a means of creative development and expression. Rather than defiance of authority.

He shares how this journey led him to find faith and become a Christian Minister. And then an educator with The Street University, using his artistic skills to work with youth and help them find a positive outlet for their creativity.

We jam on the difference between street artists and graffiti writers and the nuances between the various styles. Matthew shares his creative process, his approach to writing at scale, and how he comes up with his ideas. And we draw parallels between graffiti art and brand advertising. Where frequency, reach, context, novel uses of media, and a deep understanding your audience is crucial if you want your brand to be seen and noted.

Matthew Peet's work and energy have inspired me since I was a kid. I find his art, passion for hip-hop culture, and dedication to his community as inspiring today as ever. I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did in recording it.

You can see more of Matthew's work here: https://piecesofmistery.com
Gain some creative direction and knowledge at The Street University: https://streetuni.com.au
Or connect through a shared passion for hip-hop and faith at Krosswerdz: https://krosswerdz.com