Toronto graffiti artist Alpha, 18 years old, dies on the job
Posted February 4th, 2005 by eliot
Some tragic news from the Globe & Mail:
When Bardia Bryan Zargham got serious about graffiti, he chose Alpha as his tag and set about painting all over Toronto.
That was about five years ago, and since then, “Alpha” and “Alfa” have appeared from back alleys to boxcars, bringing underground fame to the 18-year-old artist and frustration from those who wished he would stop.
“One time I asked him, ‘Why did you pick that name?’ ” his father, Saeed Zargham, said yesterday, “and he said, ‘Because Alpha is the beginning of everything.’ ”
On Tuesday night, Alpha marked the end of everything for young Mr. Zargham. At about 9:45 p.m., right after he tagged a parked freight car with baby-blue spray paint, he was struck dead by a train near Dupont and Christie streets….
[Alpha’s father] is taking comfort from the passion he showed for his work, fatal as it was.
That passion, the father said, sprang from a simple desire to be known and for his work to be seen, not to harm anyone.
“From the outside, when you look at it . . . it’s not worth it. But for him, he put his life on the line for this.
“I lost a son, an 18-year-old son, but I’m proud of him.”
It’s sad that the first newspaper article I’ve read that isn’t snide or condemning about graffiti artists has to be about an artist’s death…. My sympathies and regrets go out to family, friends, fellow writers. R.I.P.
Pictures below courtesy of d r :
March 5th, 2006 at 5:42 pm
living in toronto , i’ve seen many a great alpha,alfa,alfah pieces around.
what pisses me off is that some of them have actually been painted over.
he influenced a lot of my buddies to start bombing and my respects go to him
R.I.P. and you are missed
July 4th, 2006 at 11:16 am
I dont know or claim to know that much, but i know that Bryan is truly an artist more so than most out there. Sorry to hear that he is no longer with us.
July 22nd, 2006 at 9:30 pm
I have seen many of alphas tags around. I love graffiti and everytime i passed by one of his tags i would see how much time and how great of a artist he was and it would make me think and try that much ahrdr to do the best pieces i can. Thanks oyu alpha and r.i.p.
August 29th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
Alfah was one of the realest graffiti artists out there, he wasent scared to reveal the wack artist and wantabe bitches that where just doing it to follow the trend. He put his blood and sweat into his work and loved seeing his pieces and bombs when we would pass by them. Alfah was a bomber and risked being put in jail and risked his life to do what he loved, he wasent one of this artsee fartsee graffiti artist out here, he was real. So remember alfah as one of the realest graffiti artists out there and if any of you little bicthes go over his work, you will get whats coming to ya. So FUCK ENTER!!! FUCK TRICK!!!! FUCK THE REST!!!
OEL TO THE FULLIEST MOTHER FUCKERS!!!!!
rIp AlpHa 1986-2005 alfah lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 30th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
I live in Oakland, California. I just heard a radio piece about Alpha
on National Public Radio. I was really blown away by his artistic
drive and the hole he left in his community when he died…but also
the spirit that lives on through his buddies, his parents and in the
community he left behind. R.I.P. Alpha.
October 11th, 2006 at 9:26 pm
Alfah was one of the first writers i recognized when I was a kid growing up. I would always see
the same Alfah throw whenever I would go dt with my dad to union station. He inspired me to
write, and I will keep writing to the fucking end and keep the dream alive. I can’t believe punk
kids are still dissing his stuff, after all he contributed to the Toronto graff scene. Open your eyes
toys and recognise true bombers ambition. RIP ALFAH
Im out.
October 29th, 2006 at 1:48 pm
Alpha was the best of the best. he loved what he did and put 100% to his work always. He wasnt a
wana be like all the other ppl. His graffitis were the best and really nice so all u other wanabees
get ur art work and sttick it between ur ass cracks. WE LOVE U ALPHA AND WE MISS U
RIP ALPHA
October 30th, 2006 at 9:29 pm
yeah i seen alphas shit around, just throwies mostly though…none of his pieces
and even tho him and trik were beefin, i think u guys know that trik isnt just some wannabe tagger i mean cmon, have u seen the places that man gets to?
rip alha
and ups to trik bacon eyes all them kings
November 13th, 2006 at 7:16 pm
One year and eight months, eleven days and twenty and a half hours has passed since ALFA has
left us.
To some,it may have been a long time ago but to most of us, it feels just like yesterday.
Toronto streets whisper Alfa’s name. From walls to walls and roof tops to roof tops.
We miss him for his big heart and for who he was. Some tell the untold stories about him that nothing could
stop him from writting. So much dedication in the coldest of weathers and in the wee hours of winter nights
and mornings.
Alfa came up as the subject of a conversation with the President of a large Graphic Designing Firms in
Toronto and after a pause, he said ” Alfa was the most respected Street Artist in Toronto”.
It’s a shame that our young Graffitit artists are having such difficult times expressing themselves.
I was so saddened by the news of Alfa’s death as i had seen many of his bombings on the city walls,he said.
Rest in peace King Alfa. We love you. You are on our mind and in our hearts. RIP ALFAH1
November 15th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Ha ha Alfa and Trik werent beefing…Enter went over him alfa a bunch but that wasnt even “beefing”. You have no idea what beef is but if you want to find out why dont you say fuck you to trik or enter’s face scope… Scope where have I seen that? Nowhere.
RIP Alfa
December 6th, 2006 at 12:04 pm
RESPECT, R.I.P. ALFA
December 8th, 2006 at 10:18 pm
this dude was the shit and he killed our city i went to school with him and he was the real deal ….not like most of you that get paint money from yar moma. Alll city must respect alpha or you will get dealt with by me!!! fuck god and the wak as sith that he ddoes ……oh ya i have some of his graph on video and it will be out as soon as i get out of my koke head sleep all day dun nothing spot weed and mush room fase ….4 real im going to do it and do it right….LAST WOrD
‘
DO NOT UNDER ANY SERCUMSTANCE TAG BOMB OR EVEN PUT UP YOUR SHIT NEAR ALPHAS WORK
IT MAKES THE CITTY BUFF IT >>> YA NO WHAT IM SAYING YOU SEE HIS MARK >>>>WALK AWAY AND RESPECT IT
we all miss you man oh ya FUCK COPS!!!!! IS SB iS THE SHIT
December 20th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
I was in Kensington today, and I went into an alley behind some store , and there I saw this killer piece by Causr and Alpha, I couldnt help but stop. I try to take pictures whenever I can, especially
of his older bombs. His shit is everywhere, he fucking killed the city and his spirit still lives on. He is an inspiration for so many writers. When you think of how he died, you can’t help but think that he was doing what he loved and he risked his
his life for it. If some fuckers say thats not pure art then quite frankly then I dont know what is.
Alpha, you will always be respected and remembered by people who didnt even know you but saw your stuff and still stop by it everyday.
” The point is not to live forever, it is to create something that will”.
Write in peace.
January 3rd, 2007 at 12:50 am
I heard about ALPHA today, please Toronto leave this mans art alone. He is a famous artist. Please take photos and post them somewhere
January 7th, 2007 at 1:41 am
i grew up with brian, i remember when he chased my buddy misha around his dads apartment with a pair of scisors. a truely kind individuals at some momemnt , a truely inspired person all of the time. a loyal friend, someone who loved what they did. graffiti or not, one must respect every aspect of what made brian, kenjoy thanks brian
January 9th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Well first and foremost i like to say R.I.P to “alpha” even though I never new him I pay my respects. A lot of other mutual friends knew him that good old 6 degress will alwyas bite u in the arse….. Theres a lot to with a lot of things and hip hops words are mixed up. So listen up if u write do it alone and if ur in a crew make sure there into things as much ass u. I aint a b boy for no reason my shit still gets dissed but who the fuck cares! Not to mention anynames but I’m more of an mc anyway. I think its jelsousy and envy anyway. I dont think peeps should write over the remaining alpha bombs pecies tags for the simple fact that the man had passon for what he has done so have a lil consideration u arrogant fucks! So lets allow his spirt to live in the cold streets of toronto. I’ve been writing my name for ten years. Been arrested for writing my name and i still write it. I’ve even been dissed and i still write it. The one thing I don’t do is write over other peoples tags, even if there shit looks shitty, it’s still there shit. Theres just no respect anymore and a lot of people do this to feel cool, if ur one of these people i suggest u stop and go listen to sum run dmc. Besides the facts I have stated if ur going to talk the talk basically it means walk the walk and ur life is at risk every second of everyday. I write because im depressed and it helps to releave my stress. I’ve been through fucked up ish and hip hop has been my escape from the ghetto complexes staircases drugs prostitution and all that crap. TO MANY PEOPLE DIENG WAKE UP HATERS AND START THE REVOLUTION! My friend RICHY just passed many of u may know of him poor dood was only 20 I also send my condoences as well to MS ELVERAS. All im saying is if u love something that much make sure u understand it before u start to realize the consiquences. Anyway ill see u on the mail box or in the yards PEACE HeRbZoNe!AK!743?DMysticMC the one the only “Springer”
June 19th, 2007 at 10:00 pm
man everyone dont tuch his shit he is a god dam insperation to alot of people not just people that new him or met
he still lives on to this day
r.i.p alfah
UKUR 1
July 4th, 2007 at 3:47 am
THATS MY NIGGA 4 LIFE. I MISS YOU MY DUDE. SOON ENOUGH I’LL SEE U MY NIGS.
WE ALL MISS YOU!!!!!!!
1.
July 4th, 2007 at 3:50 am
THATS MY NIGGA FOR LIFE. I MISS YOU MY DUDE. I’LL SEE YOU SOON ENOUGH!!!
WE ALL MISS YOU!!
CHOP
SB
1
October 25th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Rip Alfah
October 25th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
REspects Rip Alfah .Throw alfah up cmon guys its wat he would wnat us to do. ALFAH LIVES
November 2nd, 2007 at 10:12 am
Seeing as he was TRESPASSING and committing the crime of VANDALISM while painting on items he DID NOT OWN, I guess he got his just desserts.
Why don’t all of you graffitti types BUY some property and then paint your own stuff?
Just so you know, most folks HATE graffitti, and some of those folks would do nasty things to graffitti “artists” if those folks were ever to catch said “artists” in the act.
– chicopanther
November 7th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
TO CHICOPANTHER EAT A FUCKIN DICK FAGGOT. OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THE CULTURE AND THE ARTFORM. YES ARTFORM FAGGOT!!!! I AINT GONNA WAIST MY TIME FUCKIN WIT QUEERS WHO TALK OUT THE SIDE OF THEIR MOUTH BECAUSE THEY IS IN FRONT OF A COMPUTER SCREEN. IF I WAS TO HEAR THAT IN PERSON I GUARANTEE YOU WOULD GET STOMPED TO A FUCKIN PULP. THAT WAS MY BROTHER. UNDERSTAND THAT. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO COMMIT CRIMES, HEAVIER ONES AT THAT, AND DONT HAVE TO PAY WITH THEIR LIFE FAGGOT. HE DIDN’T DESERVE DEATH. MAYBE YOU DESERVED TO BE KILLED FOR ANY OF YOUR WRONG DOINGS. BETTER YET MAYBE YOU SHOULD BE KILLED FOR MINOR OFFENSES FAGGOT.
WHATEVER I’M OUT
FUCK YOU FAGGOT
R.I.P. ALFA
WE MISS YOU!!
November 17th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
hey chico panther go fuck your self!
respect to all writers
rip alfa
January 11th, 2008 at 1:20 am
chicopanther is probably a middle aged man who has no recollection of childhood. AS DO ALL ADULTS!
keep bombing
rip alfa!
January 24th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Look,I never knew Alfa(or Alpha),but I do respect him.Im kinda knew to the game,started graffin about 2 years ago.But i saw his name and peices on youtube,google(of course),and here.So I respect him as much as Cope or Eyes.i dont know if i sound like a toy or something,hey,i m still in middle school.
Respect-=RASPeR=
RTC.
OH yeah,and FUCK YOU chickpanther!NO RESPECT.YOU SHOULD MOVE IN A RETIREMENT HOME U KNOW,TO GET AWAY FROM SO-CALLED”PROBLEMS”THAT U CALL GRAFF.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:37 am
Alright first of all alfah your a legend not because you died because you fucken give all hope for all the writers to one day be famous for what theyve done TRU INSPIRATION.
chickpanther your a no good old timing mother fucker that has no heart or balls
September 9th, 2008 at 11:23 am
R.I.P ALFAH