Nearly four decades after Oakland graffiti artist Del Phresh first painted the legendary "Oakland Is Proud" mural on a wall in East Oakland, the pioneering street artist has recreated his iconic work at the exact same location. The new piece, titled "Oakland Is Proud 2," features metallic silver and royal blue lettering along East 12th Street, bringing renewed attention to a mural that became a symbol of the city's resilience and pride during challenging times.
Phresh originally created the mural in the mid-1980s as a direct response to Oakland's damaged reputation during the height of the war on drugs. At that time, the city was struggling with an influx of crack cocaine, extremely high unemployment rates, over-policing, overcrowded jails, and sensationalized crime coverage in nightly news reports. Determined to change the narrative about his community, Phresh grabbed several aerosol cans and painted the giant mural to ensure the world would "put some respect on the Town's name."
"At the time it was the early 80s and mid-80s, and the city was full of crime and corruption, and poverty and prostitution and drugs," Phresh explained while standing on the concrete and grass median under the BART tracks. "And it had a negative reputation. So I thought, I want to show the Bay Area – hell, the world – that regardless of that, we are proud of our city. We love Oakland."
The original "Oakland Is Proud" mural became much more than street art – it evolved into a cultural landmark with far-reaching influence. The multicolored, bubble-letter piece that stretched the length of a full city block appeared in the opening credits of Mark Curry's television show "Hangin' With Mr. Cooper" and served as the background for Oakland rap group Capital Tax's 1989 self-titled record cover. The mural's legacy extended to city marketing materials, tribute murals, event flyers, and even displays at Oakland Airport.
Phresh's journey to becoming a recognized style king in graffiti began with his early tagging on AC Transit's 82 bus, where he first used the handle "GERM" while riding through East Oakland. His transformation into "Del Phresh" happened during an arrest for painting the wall on East 12th Street. While handcuffed in the back of a patrol van, he thought, "Fresh. I like that, because that's gonna be synonymous with hip-hop forever. But I gotta be original." He added "Ph" in place of "F," and his legendary moniker was born.
After gaining recognition by winning a mural competition hosted by KRON-TV's show "Home Turf" in 1986, Phresh achieved international acclaim when he appeared in Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff's seminal 1987 book "Spraycan Art." His influence on Oakland's graffiti scene was profound – he formed one of the city's first crews, the Bomb Squad (BSK), along with artists Style and West, meeting at the same median where his famous mural now stands.
The late Mike "Dream" Francisco, founder of the legendary TDK crew (Those Damn Kids), became both a contemporary and friend of Phresh. Before Dream's passing, he granted Phresh permission to write "TDK" alongside his signature, a significant honor in the graffiti community. TDK member Spie 1, a legendary graf writer himself, recalls the impact of the original mural: "The statement itself, it's uplifting. It totally gives an instillment of great pride to people in Oakland."
As a massive piece of art visible from BART trains and located in the economically disadvantaged flatlands of East Oakland, the mural acknowledged the city's struggles while celebrating the historic resilience of its residents. Spie 1 noted that the piece was particularly powerful because it was "located in the economically disenfranchised flatlands of East Oakland," making it a beacon of hope for the community.
Since the late 1980s, both Oakland and public perception of graffiti have undergone dramatic changes. What was once considered a public nuisance is now regularly commissioned by developers and real estate agents. While Phresh is happy that some of his contemporaries are making money from their craft, he admits he hasn't been properly compensated for his influential work. "With my art, I could charge three million for my stuff if I want to, based on my reputation," he said. "But you gotta be sensible. So, I always give my partners player prices for the work I do."
At 60 years old, Phresh continues to paint and inspire new generations of artists. The recreation of "Oakland Is Proud 2" was completed with assistance from community painters, including Dream's son Akil and other TDK members. Looking ahead, Phresh and fellow artists plan to hold an event titled "The Kings of the East Bay" next summer, continuing to celebrate the rich history of Bay Area graffiti culture.
Regarding the next generation of graffiti writers, Phresh expresses mixed feelings about their approach to the art form. "These new-school kids – I don't really like a lot of the damage they do," he acknowledged. "But at the same time, I can't blame them, because I influenced them." His legacy continues to shape Oakland's artistic landscape, proving that the message "Oakland Is Proud" remains as relevant today as it was nearly four decades ago.
