Chris Blatchford (Part 9): The Rise of Tag-Banging In Los Angeles Graffiti Culture

Few journalists have captured the raw and untamed undercurrents of Los Angeles like Chris Blatchford. The nine-time Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter, known for his fearless exposés on gangs, graffiti subcultures, and prison gangs, takes us behind the curtain of his storied career in an unmissable full-length interview. Blatchford’s journey is as gripping as the stories he’s uncovered. From shadowing notorious figures in LA’s underworld to piecing together riveting tales of courage and chaos, his work shines a light on the city’s often-overlooked corners. In this exclusive interview, Blatchford shares intimate reflections on his most dangerous assignments, his rise through the ranks of Fox 11, and the moments that have defined his decades-long quest for truth. Prepare to delve into the mind of a journalist who thrives at the intersection of danger and integrity. Watch as Blatchford reveals his untold stories, including the inspiration behind his groundbreaking reports and the lessons he’s learned from a career spent in the shadows.

In the highly anticipated conclusion of our exclusive interview series, veteran Los Angeles journalist Chris Blatchford opens up about how he hopes to be remembered and shares his top five all-time favorite news anchors. This final installment offers a rare and intimate glimpse into the mind of a reporter whose fearless storytelling has shaped the city’s history. Blatchford, a nine-time Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter for Fox 11, recounts a moment that crystallized his identity in journalism: discovering the words “a newsman’s newsman” scrawled on his mailbox. The phrase resonated deeply with the undercover host, encapsulating his dedication to truth and his place in Los Angeles history. “That’s how I’d like to be remembered,” Blatchford reflects, with his characteristic humility and pride. As the interview draws to a close, Blatchford shares his carefully curated list of top five news anchors, offering his personal take on the icons who have inspired him throughout his remarkable career.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, opens up about the challenging final act of his celebrated career at FOX 11 News. As management shifted and newsroom dynamics changed, Blatchford began facing mounting difficulties that ultimately curtailed his groundbreaking investigative reporting. With characteristic candor, Blatchford reflects on the delicate balance required in discussing his departure and sheds light on how evolving priorities within the station led to the winding down of his signature reports. This candid segment offers a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes realities of the newsroom and the pressures that reshaped one of Los Angeles’ most iconic voices in journalism.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist recalls the moment he first learned of two of the city’s youngest gang members—12-year-old "Midget" and 8-year-old "Chuckie." In a series of special reports, Blatchford revealed the dangerous world these two boys were entrenched in, a brutal environment of violence, fear, and survival. The story aired to national acclaim, sparking outrage and hope that intervention might pull the boys from the brink. But as Blatchford reveals, their lives only spiraled further into tragedy. Now, decades later, he updates us on what became of Midget and Chuckie, offering a raw, unflinching look at the lasting impact of gang violence.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist takes us back to a dark chapter in Los Angeles history: the rise of the Asian Boys gang. Known for their cold-blooded brutality, this gang became infamous in the 1990s, leaving a chilling mark on the city with 13 murders in a matter of months. Blatchford recounts how a tip led him to investigate the Asian Boys, uncovering their calculated rise and a terrifying culture of violence. He shares shocking details about their training sessions, designed to sharpen their killing prowess, and paints a vivid picture of a city gripped by fear as law enforcement struggled to stem the tide of gang violence. Don’t miss this eye opening account of a dangerous era in Los Angeles history, as told by the reporter who witnessed it unfold.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist unveils a raw and captivating glimpse into Los Angeles’ underground party culture of the late 90's. Blatchford revisits the explosive phenomenon of "party crews," "ditching parties," and "Party Girls," where hundreds of teenagers would ditch school to pack into warehouses and backyards transformed into chaotic dance floors. By midday, many attendees were intoxicated or high, creating an atmosphere that teetered between revelry and recklessness. Amid the pounding music and swirling haze, Blatchford recounts the presence of underage girls who would strip and dance provocatively for attention. The journalist reflects on the deeper struggles faced by some attendees, sharing candid conversations with teens who expressed feelings of being lost and searching for a sense of belonging. This rare glimpse into a bygone era reveals the complexities behind a youth-driven movement that left its mark on LA’s cultural history. Don’t miss this compelling exploration in the next clip of our interview series.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist revisits a chilling night that redefined his career and the world of graffiti reporting. Filming a tagger in Los Angeles, Blatchford was thrust into the violent undercurrent of street culture when gunfire erupted, a moment that would come to symbolize the birth of what he later described as, “tag-banging.” Blatchford recounts how his investigative instincts uncovered this sinister evolution in graffiti culture, where art and violence collided. “Even the police didn’t know what a tag-banger was until my reports aired,” he shares, detailing how his work became a critical turning point in understanding this new and volatile phenomenon. With vivid anecdotes of gun toting crews and the stark realities of the tag-banging era, Blatchford’s firsthand account is a riveting exploration of danger, discovery, and the power of the press. Don’t miss this gripping episode streaming now.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist reflects on the wild phenomenon of bus mobbing, when packs of graffiti writers swarmed city buses to leave their marks. Blatchford, who received a special award from the RTD (Rapid Transit District) for his investigative coverage, describes the relentless wave of vandalism and the tense atmosphere it created. The conversation takes a darker turn as Blatchford examines the repercussions graffiti vandals faced in the 1990s. He discusses the steep penalties that often landed young taggers behind bars, sharing his thoughts on whether such sentences, sometimes alongside convicted murderers, were proportionate to the crime.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist shares how his investigative series became a defining feature of Fox 11 News. Known for diving deep into Los Angeles' underground culture, Blatchford recounts his first encounters with graffiti during the movement’s Tag-banging era. Blatchford admits he initially misunderstood the culture, but his reporting revealed a world of artists and writers shaping a movement for fame, and identity. This fascinating glimpse into Blatchford’s work highlights the tension between graffiti as art and vandalism, while also showcasing how his undercover reports redefined investigative journalism for Fox 11.

In the next clip of our exclusive interview with Fox 11 investigative reporter Chris Blatchford, the journalist recalls his very first day at Fox 11 News, an unforgettable moment in history. It was April 29, 1992, the day the Rodney King riots erupted in Los Angeles, plunging the city into chaos and unrest. Blatchford vividly recounts the harrowing experience of being surrounded by rioters while on assignment. The news van he was in shook violently as tensions escalated, and for a brief moment, he believed he wouldn’t make it out alive. Just as fear turned to resignation, an unexpected hero emerged, a police officer who risked everything to pull the news crew to safety. The veteran reporter’s raw and powerful recollection offers an unparalleled view into one of the most volatile weeks in Los Angeles history. His fearless coverage of the riots not only captivated the nation but also earned him widespread acclaim, including a personal visit from Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch.