This is a true story of my life growing up in South Memphis, Tennessee. I later moved to North Memphis for a few years, then settled in Whitehaven — also known as Blackhaven. Winchester and Millbranch is where I learned how to hustle crack rock.
In and out of the juvenile and jail systems all my life, I traveled down some dark roads only to be shot in the head, losing my right eye to gun violence by age 21. I became homeless in the streets, smoking crack rock, shooting heroin, and drinking alcohol.
In such conditions, I would use my art to try to escape life. But the pain was too great. So I began to pray to Allah for guidance. For years, I would spend a lot of time in and out of rehabs and shelters, trying to find myself. And all of a sudden, the miracle came.
Touched by Allah, my perception changed. My art changed. My passion grew for creation. Every day, I would create art and feel the power of my gift touching people in the world.
After years of being in the streets, my life began to change for the better. I began to travel the world. Every city I visited, I would seek the art world. My love for art helped me to overcome the old lifestyle I once loved.
Over time, I went back to school and got my G.E.D. From there, I entered an art college — a dream come true. There I learned the science of art and its history. Taking my street knowledge and using it with art, I became a mentor in the community.
Now, I share my life story with the world through art.
Allah is good all the time…
This blog was written by Ashshahid Muhammad
Ashshahid is the CEO of Graffiti University Comics. He lives in New York.
