Graffiti writer YNOT inspired many

Michelle Corso-Mottola, 44, said her son Jonathan Corso "just wanted to make the world a more beautiful place."

Corso was a graffiti writer, known as YNOT, who made a living as a tattoo artist. 

He spent most of his life drawing and splashing colorful paint on dull walls, rusted freights, and abandoned buildings throughout South Florida.

Writers sacrifice a lot for their art. The troubled vandals have stories about running and hiding from police officers. YNOT had many. He was obsessed with spray-paint. And he was not alone. 

Corso's five-month-old son Maxamillion should know his dad was a gutsy frontiersman, who was part of a worldwide art scene.

Corso's death may have had nothing to do with painting. He was killed on Wednesday morning at a Davie strip-club called Eden, while celebrating his 21st birthday. A man ran him over with a Cadillac Escalade. These are the facts little Max should probably not think about. Instead, Maximillion should always remember that his dad was loved by many.

In South Florida's scene of self-righteous vandals, graffiti crews MSG, 28, BUK50 and the many writers who respected his creativity, dedication and guts are in mourning. 

On the MSG cartel website, an anonymous blogger posted: "We lost a member of our family today. A homie that touched many of our lives.Our crew will never be the same." 

"It felt just like yesterday when we first met. He was like 15-years-old and I was impressed with his skills as a bomber and a painter, but more as a person," posted graffiti writer Doper on the MSG site. "You will be missed homie."

Lemik One posted he noticed YNOT's name everywhere, and that like most good artwork it always made him smile.

MTX concurred on the site:

"You always made me smile, and your art spoke for itself."

On a Facebook Memorial, fellow writer Drew Daniels was unafraid to post publicly:

"It was a pleasure taggin with you."

Donald Esposito confessed YNOT will "always be a true inspiration." Steven MacTaggart shared Esposito's feeling: "Such an inspiration, sad to see you go like this."  Mad Makz Parris shared MacTaggart's pain: "You inspired me ... you'll always be in my heart and behind my art."

Writers, friends and family will be honoring YNOT's memory on Friday night at Mex Cafe & Lounge, 10031 Sunset Strip, in Sunrise. 

VIEW MORE PICS ON MIAMIGRAFFITI.COM.

Comments

[Flori-duh]

let's hope this murder is solved.

his family isn't rich? oh, nevermind then.

[karolina a.k.a bonita 4ynot]

so true
money talks
if i ran some1 over twice id b deported like a mexican
but lil dude is a dolphin thats why he got away with it
fukn corrupted ass cops

[Maggie]

Ynot is an inspiration to us all. Take the thing you loved most about him and make it your own. For me it's the passion with which he approached everything important in his life. Xo

[SKOR-234]

HE WAS A GREAT GUY, GREAT ARTIST AND GREAT FATHER. WE SPOKE FOR HOURS ABOUT LIFE IN GENERAL A LITTLE MORE THEN A WEEK AGO. HES 10 YEARS YOUNGER THEN ME GIVING ME ADVICE. HE WAS PROUD TO BE A FATHER. LETS JUST HOPE JUSTICE IS SERVED . . . RIP YNOTSE!

[KTK]

RIP YNOT!!!! You were known by all, loved by many and will be missed dearly!!! The world just got a lot uglier without you in it!!! We will always love and miss you big homie..Say hi to ROB for us. We now have 2 guardian angels in the sky :(

[Daniels]

We're gonna tag the state with ynot messages jsut for you bro .

[renee]

Why didn't the driver take a breathe alyzer???
Anyone else would have after they just ran someone over after walking out of a club. I sure hope the Davie police department is investigating this without any bias. What a tragedy. I didn't even know him but it sounds like he was an inspirational and talented young man. It just breaks my heart. I am sure he will be greatly missed.

[helloVD]

YNOT will live on forever, on the streets, in heavens all around he will be, RIP YNOT, theres gona be many of many memorials to come so i hope the get the trucks ready

[Lindsey]

there is no other person in this world like YNOT and there never will be. his art and quirky sense of humor will never be forgotten. i'll never forget the crazy nights we spent in cloud 9 and stopping at every road block on the way to ft.lauderdale so him and MOST could do their thing..hes done so much for me and changed the person i am....You'll always be in my heart.. and expect all of PINES to be tagged up for you <3 R.I.P. YNOT

[BFOER 444 KC]

RIP YNOT
DIDNT KNOW U, BUT SAW U WRECK

[Pocahontas]

RIP Y NOT you i know you will live on in the hearts of many.

[anthony strom]

i've knowen ynot Sense i was in elemetry school and even then he would alway be drawing and expresing his feeling about world around him and his life his was a true artist and my best friend he will never be forgotten r.i.p jonathan peter corso

[easlaaaaaf]

RIP YNOTSE

[Anuswer CBW]

RIP YNOTSE

Much love to a missed fellow bro of the paint

TODAY I WRECK FOR YOU

[ffff]

asswipe caused hundreds of thousands in damages. good ridance.

[Devin]

Here's an update on Ynot's story: http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/2010-09-23/news/marked-for-death/

[Titmawz]

YNOT lives... And those punks that killed him deserve nothing less than death penalty for murder.

[LucasObrizzle]

im a kid from philly who has moved to southflorida an heard great inspiring things about YNOTS urban success from friends and spotting his work inspires me!! rest in peace brahdamang STAY BOMBINN IN THA HEAVENS!!!!!!

[joEPHiSH]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-graffitist-death-arrest-20101223,0,2360279.story

[Super Cali]

This YNOT character was a vandal. He deface private property, city property and personal property. I have no problem with graffiti as long as you do it to your own property. You deface/vadalize my property and you deserve what you get.

[KING TONY]

R.I.P. Jonathan Peter Corso AKA YNOT. i have seen your art from west palm to the keys. you have inspired me in art.its a terrible thing that happend to you. you where loved by many. i will include ur tag name in my graffiti. you will always be remembered, not only as an artist, but as a friend, a father and a great person. You will live on through our hearts and our lives. R.I.P. YNOT

[Vic Talha]

RIP JONATHAN!! aka YNOT.... -Vic Talha (aka: Vision da NDN OUTLAW)

[?]

being a writer probably didnt help his situation when they pressed charges :P

[E.T.]

R.I.Paint big homey! thanks for all the inspiration! i feel blessed to have had the opportunity to see your work. 1ove to all the writers out there. these streets are ours!

[rust]

rest in paradise ynotse keep bombing in heaven