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Disgrace Land is a production of Double Elvis.

The stories about Jean-Michel Baskiat are insane.

His graffiti in Lower Manhattan was mistaken for a CIA operation.

He was the toast of the New York art world while sleeping on floors in squalid apartments.

He sold his first painting to Blondie's Debbie Harry for $200.

And less than a year later, his paintings would sell for more than $20,000.

As a young, self-taught artist in a world built on pedigree, training, and experience,

he was held at arm's length by the upper crust, dismissed as a passing fad.

But he was no fad.

Jean-Michel Basquiat made great art, art that was inspired by great music, from jazz to industrial to hip-hop.

Unlike that loop I played for you at the top of the show, that wasn't great music.

That was a preset loop from my Melatron called Turtle Rock MK2.

I played you that loop because I can't afford the rights to roll with it by Steve

Winwood. And why would I play you that specific slice of back in the high life cheese could I afford it?

Because that was the number one song in America on August 12, 1988.

And that was the day that the life and career of one of the most original and sought-after artists in America came to a sudden and tragic end.

On this episode, New York City Squalor, CIA Operations, self-taught artists, the gatekeepers of the art world's upper crust, and Jean-Michel Basquia.

I'm Jake Brennan, and this is Disgraceland.

Thank you. disgrace land. Debbie Harry was freaking out.

The lead singer of Blondie paced back and forth under a lamppost on New York's Lower East Side.

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