Daniel Ramos (graffiti artist)

Daniel Bernardo Ramos "Chaka" (born August 27, 1972 in the Boyle Heights district of Los Angeles, CA) was one of the most prolific American graffiti artists of the late 20th century. Using a technique called bombing, Daniel Ramos was responsible for the "CHAKA" tags that began to appear throughout the state of California during the late 1980's and early 1990's.[1]

Daniel Ramos acquired the moniker "CHAKA" in 1980 from his friends while living in the Aliso Village Housing Projects. The moniker "CHAKA" was derived from the name of the proto-human "Cha-Ka" (played by actor Philip Paley) from the 1974 Sid and Marty Krofft TV series, Land of the Lost. In 1991 Ramos was arrested after tagging his moniker on a Lincoln Heights traffic light, three months after his 18th birthday. He subsequently pleaded guilty to 10 counts of vandalism and was sentenced to 3 years probation, 2 years of psychological counseling and 1,560 hours of community service. Authorities in Los Angeles County and elsewhere, identified approximately 10,000 unique tags bearing the moniker "CHAKA" on various surfaces of public and private property including walls, bridges, freeway signs and lampposts done primarily through the use of spray paint. The graffiti caused an estimated one million dollars in property damage. Only 24 hours after being released from jail on probation, he was arrested again for allegedly scrawling his name on a courthouse elevator door.[2][3]

In the music video for the song, "Smells like Teen Spirit," by Nirvana, Dave Grohl's drum kit can be seen with the word "CHAKA" written on it in white lettering. It is alleged that just before the video was filmed, Dave saw the ubiquitous "CHAKA" tag while driving from Seattle to California and decided to decorate his drums with it.

Ramos currently lives in Bakersfield, California. He hosted his first legitimate solo art show in April 2009 in the City of Los Angeles and continues to produce art.[2][4]

References
  1. Pool, Bob (October 6, 1996). "Notorious Graffiti Vandal in Custody Again". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  2. "Chaka, long-lost L.A. tagger-artist, to have first legit art show" Mike Boehm, March 28, 2009, Los Angeles Times
  3. Zamichow, Nora (September 11, 1994). "Notorious Tagger Days Are Behind Him, but Some Doubt His Sincerity". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  4. Boehm, Mike (April 24, 2009). "Chaka, from graffiti to gallery". Culture Monster. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 29, 2020.


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