U5: the Truth Behind the Lives: The Mystery, the Rumors, the Sadness, the Truth.

By J. B. Torres

This book is written to provide insight on the lives of a group of inner city youths known as U-5. Hopefully it will provide enough of the insight needed to truly understand the type of lives they led, the way they were perceived by others, and the repercussions of events set in motion by the actions of individuals within the group. Furthermore, it will focus on two individuals within the group (Daniel Gomez and Rubin Fernandez aka Soni and Slick), the mystery surrounding their deaths and the repercussions that affected various members of U-5 up until this very day. It will take a look at how graffiti writers were/are portrayed by what we call society and go into what I believe are inconsistencies depicted within the book "Subway Lives."
It will take you into the heart of Bushwick, Brooklyn where it all started and twenty years later, today. It will follow them into some of their many escapades, some incomprehensible to believe, yet true. You'll get a true sense of the type of people they were, as friends, family and professionals tell us a little about them. Then you will be introduced to U-5 as not only a crew, but as a concept. A concept in which the U represents United, and friendship is more important than fame. This story is not just about the antics of these U-5 individuals. No, it's much more than that. Its about having to let go of the past and not just carrying on, but accepting it. And that could be harder than anything you've ever had to face. The mirror doesnt lie does it? What we believe is not necessarily reality, but whats reflected in the mirror is truth; like it or not.
A wise man once said that between two men there are always three sides to a story, the first mans side, the second mans side, and the truth. Upon deciding to finish this book, the words of Dave Severn, a successful entrepreneur came to mind. He said Fear is the feeling you feel before you do something great. For myself, finishing this book will undoubtedly be one of my greater achievements. And you, that are holding this book, are about to read a great story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 29, 2008
• ISBN: 9781462822492

J. B. Torres

ABOUT THE AUTHOR New York City - The Big Apple. It’s said that there are eight million stories deriving from the 13th largest city in the world; this is one of them. Raised in the tough streets of Brooklyn during the 80s, Jay Torres strived to excel at everything he did. Becoming involved with graffiti during his high school years, Jay eventually found a way to turn the negative aspect of graffiti into a positive one. He obtained ‘permission’ walls to do his art, and earned money painting everything from store fronts in Puerto Rico to clothing throughout the city. As time passed Jay began to tire of the work/college routine. Upon the loss of his fellow U5 members, Soni and Slick, Jay decided to enlist into the US Army. Fifteen years of service later, and nineteen years after their deaths, Jay’s promise to honor his friends reaches fruition with this work.

Book preview

Copyright © 2008 by J. B. Torres.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

45443

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introspect

The Name That Said It All

Chapter 1

1987: A Monster In The Making

Chapter 2

Pieces of a Puzzle

Chapter 3

Just Us Five

Chapter 4

The First Sign of Trouble

Chapter 5

The Setup

Chapter 6

Casualties

Chapter 7

Choosing Sides

Chapter 8

Changes

Chapter 9

The Dream Shattered

Chapter 10

The Longest Walk

Chapter 11

The One in a Million Buff

Chapter 12

Zan: A Glance Back

Chapter 13

The U-5 Mom

Chapter 14

The Death Promise

Chapter 15

Coming from a Brother

Chapter 16

To Dream, Perchance to Sleep

Chapter 17

Acceptance

Chapter 18

The New Final Chapter

Glossary

About the Author

For Soni and Slick

I shed a tear in the ocean for you

I will stop thinking of you when they find it

THE MYSTERY

It will take you to the heart of Bushwick, Brooklyn it all started, and 20 years later to today.

What would you do of the one thing that you valued most were taken away from you?

It’s about having to let go of the past and not just carrying on,

but accepting it.

Unusual best descrisbed the way they got fame.

Audie for instance . . .

THE RUMORS

After reading Subway Lives I . . .

Here we will reveal many of the unbased, . . .

I started writing graffiti for the adventure . . . .

We expected to be outnumbered

but we decided to go nonetheless . . .

We would live to fight another day. On our turf. Our rules . . .

So the day would come when U-5 would come to blows with none other than ourselves . . . .

What are you doing one officer asked me . . . .

What’s wrong Rated? he asked.

"Niker . . . I’ve got to tell you something . . . some bad news . . . .

"I did it to remind JA that Soni and Slick were kings . . .

Vandal squad had somehow obtained pictures of us . . .

What do you call yourselves, you chapter; is it Hellbound?

THE SADNESS

"Yo Rated, I wouldn’t lie to you, it’s true . . . they got caught. Caught by the train.

"I looked him in his eyes, I never doubted him before.

I was going to be strong for the others who would be coming soon. I slid into a chair and cried . . .

I hated the idea . . . defacing private property . . .

When you, my second son became involved with graffiti . . .

THE TRUTH

The facts on their deaths don’t add up . . .

U-5 is something that won’t work unless you care about it . . .

Acknowledgements

Thanks to all of those who contributed to this book.

Past U-5 Prezes: Audie, Devise, Rated, GA, Famer, Tesk

Past members: Play, Su, So, Asp (RIP), Rlc, Rein, Semer, Hide (Hd), Hype (Hp), Teak, Sheer, Zeem, Dais, Dom, Kiemo, Arion, Niker, Er, Cj, Show (RIP), Nase, Slash, Nash, Gr, Por, Spire, Sheak, Kiemo, Cause, Rad, Furor, Ice, Cents, Ser, Dor, Nini, JC3, Sete, Arc, Ec (Wet), Guns, Designer, Ciga, Rob, Kiac, Hec, Death, Trooper, Vicer, Cend, Zan (RIP), Edec, Play, Crak, Saz, Rein, Junior, Devine, Jest, Nini, Blen (from Puerto Rico), Fukn’ Jay, Sete, and the scores of others that belonged

To my friends from back in the days: Ep (Raheem), Smoke(y) and brother Coast, Deam, Trini, Enuf, Smurfy, Crib, Rock 55, Beem, Joker, Puppet, PG, PZ, RE, LE, Kabu, Rec (RIP), None, Officer ‘China’ Rodriguez, Wanda, Lucky, CQ and Ono TOS crew, Lec, PF, Nec, Jazz, Sert, Chip,Logo, Dy, Fa, Bu, Roval, Ron Darby, Eddie Ed, Sara Marin, Lisa Fedrizzi, Nase, Jocelyn and Robert Adams, Jessie, Shankman (Anthony)(RIP), Saintz, Lila F.I.C., my ex-DJs James and Rodney, Marzy Dee, DJ Evil D, Topaz, Millie, Foxy, Violet, Slippery Sam, Esperanza & Squito, Payer, Dirty Danny Cruz, JC, Coke, Golden family, Marin family, Espy, Lady R, XSGL Magazine, Dmec, and Tec in Florida

To family and new(er) friends: My love Janett M. Peralta-Torres, Monin Morales, my dad Santos Torres, my brother Santos David Torres Jr., My life Jeremy C. Torres, Claudette & Dylan Yoowitaya, Davion Thomas Torres, Crystal Lopez-Rodriguez (you’re not perfect, but you’re awfully close), Carmen Martir-Torres, Victor Montalvo, Ralphie Arroyo, Uncle Ruben, Martin Figueroa, H. Graudiel, Purity, Eric Marrero, Freddy Vasquez, Sal (Flaco), Maria Vasquez, Aida Vasquez, Gloria Vasquez, Calvin Sowell, Bongani Mabandi for pre-editing, J. Borchert, Jambga family, DJ Frosty and Portia, MC Munya, Dorris Torres, Drill Sergant Rhodan, E. Bivens, Gerome Davis, CW2 Morales, Brian Black, Michelle Davis, Christopher Randolph, Kenneth Kern, James Prigoff, Nic One,and Mec

Peace to all the old school crews: TA7, FBI, KIC, SMD, OWA, 501, GTF, 357, BSK, MSD, BBK, BRC, KO, CTB, BRC, CAM, WTK, XL, X-Men, AIM, UW, BT, OTB, and 3BR

Special thanks to Jose Gomez

The best for last: my mother Carmen, the U-5 Mom

Introspect

The Name That Said It All

THIS book is written to provide insight on the lives of a group of inner-city youths known as U-5. Hopefully it will provide enough of the insight needed to truly understand the type of lives they led, the way they were perceived by others, and the repercussions of events set in motion by the actions of individuals within the group. Furthermore, it will focus on two individuals within the group (Daniel Gomez and Rubin Fernandez, a.k.a. Soni and Slick), the mystery surrounding their deaths, and the repercussions that affected various members of U-5 up until this very day. It will take a look at how graffiti writers were/are portrayed by what we call society and go into what I believe are inconsistencies depicted within the book Subway Lives.

It will take you into the heart of Bushwick, Brooklyn, where it all started and, twenty years later, today. It will follow them into some of their many escapades, some incomprehensible to believe, yet true. You’ll get a true sense of the type of people they were as friends, family, and professionals tell us a little about them. Then you will be introduced to U-5 as not only a crew, but as a concept. A concept in which the U represents united, and friendship is more important than fame.

What would you do if the one thing that you valued most were taken away from you? Would you let out a shattering scream, or would you accept it and just let it go. Would you make a promise only to know deep down inside that it was beyond your control to keep it and look with sorrow as you see it all vanish into nothingness? Nothing, nothing stays the same. Things change, people change, and memories are all that’s left behind; and yet you still ponder, don’t you. You still think that with one snap of the finger that everything will be just the way you think it should and always be. You’re living a lie and surprise; you just woke up to reality. And it hurts, doesn’t it? It hurts so badly.

This story is not just about the antics of these U-5 individuals. No, it’s much more than that. It’s about having to let go of the past and not just carrying on, but accepting it. And that could be harder than anything you’ve ever had to face. The mirror doesn’t lie does it? What we believe is not necessarily reality, but what’s reflected in the mirror is truth, like it or not.

A wise man once said that between two men, there are always three sides to a story: the first man’s side, the second man’s side, and the truth. Upon deciding to finish this book, the words of Dave Severn, a successful entrepreneur, came to mind. He said, Fear is the feeling you feel before you do something great. For myself, finishing this book will undoubtedly be one of my greater achievements. And you, that are holding this book, are about to read a great story.

The bond that keeps U-5 together is very easy to relate to. Everyone has one or more friends that they are really close to. U-5 is just that, a group of guys that would confide, support and go to extremes for each other no matter what the case. A close-knit group that never allowed anything to interfere with their loyalty, art, and fame. U-5 was serious male bonding. For a bunch of teenagers growing up in the late 80s in Brooklyn, this was very valuable.

Since the U in U-5 was used in different variations, U-5 made sure that they could live up to their names. I should point out that though originating in 1987, most of the writers had been tagging way before. In 1989, trains were intensely being buffed clean. So before all the trains were cleaned, they wanted to become, as Audie would say one of the last great crews.

The first variation of U-5 was Us Five (U-5). Later, as they gained more and more recognition within various neighborhoods in Brooklyn they usually were referred to as United Five. In this stage, the name itself was already setting its own place in graffiti history. The name spread like wildfire and was original in the sense that it was written with one letter followed by a number. It was catchy. I’ve no recollection of any crew phrased quite that way. The mouths of writers from Bushwick High School to Eastern District were filled with weird tales and rumors of just who was U-5. Some of these were filled with such nonsense that it was either humorous to some degree or just plain ridiculous.

Some claimed that Soni was Chinese because of his tag, others believed that Audie was seven foot tall and worshiped Satan. Robert Gonzales, who we dubbed Mr. President because he showed up to school in a suit and briefcase each day, thought Devise was a spy, and the list goes on.

The construction of the crew was a precedent in itself. There were five groups (crews) that united to form a whole, which was then broken into five groups. The outcome was something entirely different. Get this, each of the groups had a leader or prez, which, compared to other crews, was unheard of. The reason for this type of formation was to evenly distribute power and authority (the good ol’ American way). Each prez basically had the same amount of power. The five original prezes were Audie, Famer, Rated, GA, and Devise.

Unusual best described the way they got fame. Audie, for instance, went bombing with his pet hamster, Diana, for good luck. He usually tagged his name stretched out as an attraction ploy. Some of his tags were well over ten feet long! Hell, it seemed that he could stretch that E forever. I, Rated (RTD for short), would draw a cartoon of my pet dog Inky all over the place. It seemed that every block in Bushwick had her sprawled on it: bridges, buildings—she was hot. Though I never took her to the yards, she would frequent the U-5 (Bushwick) freights with us to oversee our craft. She was our mascot. Loved by all, respected for the idol she was, and feared by all her nemeses.

Devise’s trademark was his long trenchlike black coat and dark shades. He would always carry some odd weapon with him—sometimes a blowgun, a samurai sword, other times a bat, which he called the beef stick. This guy was something. Every time he spoke, it was like he was speaking in a superenhanced logic combined with some sort of puzzling innuendo. His mind always seemed to be calculating. Very, very quick hands earned him the name Deadly Devise. He could turn just about anything into a weapon.

Famer was an odd character from the south side of Brooklyn, a preppie. He was a fantastic artist, not bold, but talented. His brother Spire aspired to be like him (some pun intended there). Spire was a nerdy, geeky kid who was a worrywart. Maybe he just had a louder conscience than us all. As an artist, he was so-so. Fortunately for him, some of his brother’s talent might have dripped on him at some point. GA was one of the tough guys from the beginning. Though shorter than most of us, he was well-known in his neighborhood and wouldn’t back down from anyone. He was street-smart, well connected, and a short fuse to match his physique. We were like the dynamic duo of Bushwick, always together, but that changed too.

U-5 had the tendency to hit or spray a place where others would not only see it but also remember it. Though they all wanted their own personal fame, U-5 wanted the name of the crew to have even more popularity; they themselves would be the foundation. Periodically, they barred those who were not meeting U-5 potential. It almost seemed as if the name U-5 was bigger than the crew, and in some instances, it was true.