Kurt Boone is a New York City-based author known for his work documenting street culture, including graffiti, urban cycling, street photography, skateboarding, busking, and spoken word. Also known by his foot messenger dispatch name, Messenger 841, Boone spent years working as a New York City foot messenger, becoming known as one of the fastest in the city. That experience shaped much of his writing, including his messenger poetry series and his book Asphalt Warrior.

Boone is the author of several books spanning poetry, photography, and nonfiction, including On the Subway, Messenger Poet, and Subway Beats: Celebrating New York City Buskers, which documents over 250 subway musicians across the city. His work has been featured in The New York Times, New York Daily News, New York Post, and Metro New York, and he has appeared in film and television projects, including Spike Lee's Malcolm X.

How did you get into creating?

I started creating when I was in high school. Writing poetry about my youth experiences as it relates of being African American male. Then in the early 2000's I became independent author and started a streetwear brand inspired by my messenger job called Messenger 841.

Where are you from?

Brooklyn, NY and now a resident of Newark, NJ

How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?

Growing up in New York City I learn about many different culture from around the world. It also gave me insights into cultures like Hip Hop, Graffiti and Skateboarding

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

I graduated from Los Angeles City College with degree in Business Administration in 1984

What does your current setup look like?

I worked from home. Where I package my books and apparel to ship to customers around the world

Who inspires you?

Bob Gore Photography inspired me to be photographer where I crafted my knowledge to document street cultures with my photography and make books with my photographs.

What is your goal when you create?

To make the best merchandise I can make whether a book or t-shirt.

Why do you create?

To share knowledge and also to make money to increase my income

How has choosing your creative path affected your life?

Greatly, it's everything that I do

Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?

Yes, but I work my way through them. For many years my income was low but I survive by creating partnerships and collaborations.

What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?

Kirk Franklin "Love Theory". It give me inspiration to continue building my business and give glory to GOD for all my success

What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?

My dream is to build my merchandising business into achieving a million dollars in sales. I have been collaborating with international brands to increase sales of my merchandise and books.

What would you tell someone else with a dream?

To study hard and develop relationship. As you can't build a business by yourself.

Tell us about your most recent release

I recently then capsule collection with Ortlieb Waterproof. The capsule consists of a backpack and cycling cap.

Share a link to your most recent release

https://messenger841.bigcartel.com/product/messenger-841-x-ortlieb-capsule

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/messenger841/

Facebook.com

https://www.facebook.com/kurt.boone.92

Website

https://messenger841.bigcartel.com/

Photography credit: Amy Bolger, Nick Sansone, Martha Cooper