In the 1970s, Jean-Michel Basquiat was just starting his career as an artist. Before he rose to fame in the art world, he was a graffiti artist in Lower Manhattan. He worked under the pseudonym "SAMO©" (a contraction of "Same Old Shit"), along with his high school friend Al Diaz. Their SAMO© graffiti, which appeared from around 1977 to 1979, consisted of short phrases and poetic, sometimes cryptic, messages inscribed on the sides of buildings, bridges, and subway stations. The messages often contained sharp social commentary and satirical elements. Examples of their graffiti include "SAMO© AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTIC FOOD STANDS" and "SAMO© AS AN END TO MINDWASH RELIGION, NOWHERE POLITICS, AND BOGUS PHILOSOPHY." The SAMO© project ended around 1980, with Basquiat and Diaz announcing the "death" of SAMO© in a series of graffiti messages. Shortly after, Basquiat transitioned to creating the paintings on canvas for which he would become globally known. His street art origins, however, significantly influenced his later work, particularly his use of text, symbols, and commentary on social issues.