Artist Jason Shelowitz (Jay Shells) cruises in his rental car near the ARCO gas station at Del Amo Boulevard and S. Central Avenue in Carson, where he’ll install a street sign featuring rap lyrics that mention the spot. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Jay Shells posts a sign featuring lyrics by rapper Ras Kass on Crenshaw Boulevard in L.A. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Hip-hop fan Robert Mullalley emailed Jay Shells with dozens of L.A.-centric rap lyrics for his sign project and accompanied the artist on some of his stops on a recent Sunday. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
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With a dog on the lookout, Jay Shells is set to post a sign near the intersection of 99th Street and McKinley Avenue in L.A. According to city ordinance, it’s illegal to hang signs on public property without the appropriate permit. “In a lot of what I do, it’s the nature of the work -- you can’t ask permission for everything,” Shells says. “I try to put them on parking signs where there’s really no arguable safety issue.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Jason Shelowitz hangs his sign near Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. The lyric from rapper Evidence reads, “Straight out L.A. -- never lied born in the same hospital Biggie Smalls died.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
A Jay Shells sign on Olympic Boulevard features a lyric by rapper Rakaa Iriscience: “In L.A. the writer’s bench was Fairfax & Olympic at Carl’s on the block that Ethiopians kick it.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Jay Shells places a sign with a lyric by rapper Drake in front of Nobu restaurant in Malibu. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
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A sign at the intersection of Imperial Highway and Western Avenue features rapper WC: “Where you at? Western & Imperial. It’s the pure west coast coming out of your stereo.” (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
Jay Shells photographs one of his signs, this one showcasing Ice Cube’s lyrics, near the intersection of Imperial Highway and S. Van Ness in Inglewood. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
