IN MEMORY OF BERNIE PEREZ a.k.a. CRUDE OIL

September 12th, 2009 |

This post has been both an honor and a burden to write, because of the love I have for my brother Bernie and the sadness I feel remembering him. With help from friends, I am hoping that my homage to one of the most interesting people to ever come into my life makes everyone proud.

I remember Bernie most for that never ending smile that always lit up any room he was in. He had such a strong presence for such a small frame, always joking around and always ready for anything. I replay in my mind my brother hanging and banging on the beach with everyone else, getting busy inside the club with some of that MIAMI BOOTY DROP. My boy Bernie could get down! Bernie was also one of the smoothest people I knew with the ladies, a great wingman. I miss those days when all our lives were simpler.

Whether you loved or hated him, the one undeniable thing you had to respect him for was his skill in the art of graffiti. He was considered one of the elites, a Babe Ruth of handstyles if you will. He made it look so easy. At his services I realized how many people did love and respect him, from old school friends and faces to a whole new generation of aspiring writers.

Bernie a.k.a. OIL will live forever in our hearts and memories, I love you brother and miss you.

Knowing I could not pay homage on my own in order to do Bernie proud, I was fortunate enough to interview some of Bernie’s closest friends and ask them three questions about him. Here’s what BASH, JUNE, and BASER had to say:

BASH

How would you describe Bernie in one word?

“I would describe Bernie in one word easily…..”Radical”

Tell us your fondest moment with Bernie?

“My fondest memory of Bernie could easily be us walking out of a bar on South Beach lit, I look across the street and i see “enemies,” I turn to Bernie and say “you ready homie?” he’s like “let’s do it.” Mind you we are out numbered, out sized but never scared. I hollar wussup my nigga FSTV, they turn and said wussup, then we strolled down an alley and it was on. We just didn’t give a fuck and still I don’t, the fight was even, I got the last punch in, dude fell on the seat of his pants and we literally just stopped fighting with them dudes and went to another bar and continued drinking like nothing! Bernie was small in size but a giant when it came to his heart. I will never forget any of the time we spent together good or bad. Miss you homie!”

How do you feel Bernie has impacted the grafitti world?

“Bernie blessed this game of ours in such a huge way, his handstyles admired by the world, his throwies known by all and his pieces had a complicated simplicity to them.

He left a huge mark on society… and no one can take that away ever… CrudeOil lives!”

The Bash King
STV Prez!

JUNE

How would I describe Bernie in one word?

“Grand”

Tell us your fondest moment with Bernie?

“I really can’t think of one moment that stands out more then the rest. Everytime I hung out with Bernie was a good time. Bernie was always fun to hang out with. I can go on and on about all the fun we have had. From our first graffiti rumble to rocking the illest billboards, we did it all. I remember back when we started hanging in the early 90’s bernie would drag me out to all these raves. I was always amazed to see how he knew everyone, and homie was only like 16. But then again you could put Bernie in any room with perfect strangers and by the end of the night he would have befriended everyone and had the whole room on the floor laughing. I miss you dawg!

As I said before I have endless stories with Bernie. Too many memories to choose one. The getaways from the cops, the rumbles on South Beach, the late nights bombing with Minx, our first pieces at Beach High, 2 raw outlaws. Our first highway missions with pack, late nights at Diamante and Wonderland, terrorizing toys, South Beach thuggin, I really can go on and on. I owe a lot to you Bernie, you introduced me to a world and family I would have never been a part of. I can still hear that laugh and I still see you shaking your head every time I put you up. DAMN HOMIE NOT ALL OF US GOT THEM CLEAN HANDS! haha I miss you man, and will hold you down forever homie!”

How do you feel Bernie has impacted the grafitti world?

“Bernie showed me and Miami for that matter what the definition of a King is. No one has done it like he has. Alot of dudes have tried to go all out but none have ever come close to doing it with such style and finess. I dont think I have ever seen a sloppy oil tag or throwie. My nigga was clean! He bombed hard, repped harder, and would terrorize any toy that got in his path. I have never had a better bombing partner and I doubt I ever will. He was loyal to his crew never EVER let me down! I cant think of any other writer I have met that has been more through than the Crude Dude! So how do I think he impacted the graffiti world? I think he raised the bar. He showed everyone its not just about getting up, it about getting up with style, class, and kingship! GOING HARD! and never backing down!”

BASER

How would you describe Bernie in one word?

“One word does not allow me to describe the energy, spirit, heart and dedication that my brother MR, Bernie B. Perez had. But if I had to choose one it would be “relentless.” Bernie exempified what a true soldier was and should be. He set a bar of excellence for himself and he always worked hard at achieving it.
His work ethic and no holds barred attitude were unparalleled in The Great Writing Culture!”

Tell us your fondest moment with Bernie?

“Some of the fondest moments I had with The Legend Bernie Perez were hanging and banging on South Beach in the 90’s till the wee hours of the morning. We lived so effortlessly, lawlessly, and man we tore it up. He was quite a bit younger than I was but he made me feel like a juvenile! Since day one of our over 15 year relationship Bernie kept our youthful hearts alive and forever young. Going on road trips to Jax with the rest of the crew and mobbing yards and spots reminds me of better times with a friend that will always have a special place in my heart. Yo Bernie you taught me a lot and you have made me so proud. Your brother forever!”

Baser FS (N) K.A.O.S. INC, QSC

How do you feel Bernie has impacted the grafitti world?

“Bernie’s impact on the writing world I feel iz still yet to be measured. His handstyle was one of the meanest and most infuential of someone his age. His commitment to mastering his craft can be compared to a lot of the greats. And what he did for all of the brotherhoods and families he wrote with and was a part of will always be cherished. He carried a lot of weight in that small frame of his… He lived harder then most and was respected coast to coast and abroad.
On that note I leave you all with one of his witty quotes.”
“You Know who the fuck I am”
Rest In Power
The Raw Never Flaw
Crude Oiler
Yours Truly
Baser Skrate No Chaser
Train Defacer!