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The Lost Boyz: A Dark Side of Graffiti
A rare first-hand account of disaffected youth. Contains countless lessons for young people who might be attracted to crime (and anyone involved with them socially or professionally).
Aged just fourteen and using the name ‘Sevens’, the author went from being a bullied child to leader of the Warriorz, a group of London street kids involved in graffiti-tagging and other crimes including a series of violent encounters.
Eventually given a substantial custodial sentence for an attack with a meat cleaver on the London Underground, Justin Rollins became determined to steer other young people away from such a life.
The Lost Boyz tells the story of his descent into a form of madness in which self-destruction, anger, wanton behaviour and fear lie at the core. Not before has a book taken the reader so far inside the minds of troubled youths as the author and his companions—some of whom did not survive or also ended up in prison—gradually realise that there is no easy escape from their chaotic lifestyle. Their need to gain respect from and stay credible with each other stems from offending, alienation, living on the margins of society and crazy behaviour—all of which serve as barriers to rejoining the normal world and going straight.
The book contains countless lessons for young people who might be attracted to crime just as it does for anyone interested in youth offending, gang culture, criminology, mental health issues or that period of modern English social history when the unofficial decoration of walls, fences, trains and buses became a telling symbol of disaffected youth.
Reviews
'This is simply 100% raw talent being unleashed right from the start... This book is a must-read for the prison population, academics and politicians': Inside Time
'Reading this book is a little like living a nightmare, but you can always close the book, Justin Rollins actually lived this life; what a nightmarish time': Graphotism
'This book confirms that the effects of childhood trauma can take their toll on some individuals, depending on how they’re dealt with – and it also confirms that the age-old effect of peer pressure can really make young people do some crazy stuff... but there are some real dark moments in there so be prepared': Keep the Faith
‘In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done’: Noel ‘Razor’ Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) .
Aged just fourteen and using the name ‘Sevens’, the author went from being a bullied child to leader of the Warriorz, a group of London street kids involved in graffiti-tagging and other crimes including a series of violent encounters.
Eventually given a substantial custodial sentence for an attack with a meat cleaver on the London Underground, Justin Rollins became determined to steer other young people away from such a life.
The Lost Boyz tells the story of his descent into a form of madness in which self-destruction, anger, wanton behaviour and fear lie at the core. Not before has a book taken the reader so far inside the minds of troubled youths as the author and his companions—some of whom did not survive or also ended up in prison—gradually realise that there is no easy escape from their chaotic lifestyle. Their need to gain respect from and stay credible with each other stems from offending, alienation, living on the margins of society and crazy behaviour—all of which serve as barriers to rejoining the normal world and going straight.
The book contains countless lessons for young people who might be attracted to crime just as it does for anyone interested in youth offending, gang culture, criminology, mental health issues or that period of modern English social history when the unofficial decoration of walls, fences, trains and buses became a telling symbol of disaffected youth.
Reviews
'This is simply 100% raw talent being unleashed right from the start... This book is a must-read for the prison population, academics and politicians': Inside Time
'Reading this book is a little like living a nightmare, but you can always close the book, Justin Rollins actually lived this life; what a nightmarish time': Graphotism
'This book confirms that the effects of childhood trauma can take their toll on some individuals, depending on how they’re dealt with – and it also confirms that the age-old effect of peer pressure can really make young people do some crazy stuff... but there are some real dark moments in there so be prepared': Keep the Faith
‘In writing this book, which was a long and painful journey for him, Justin hopes to lay his ghosts of the past to rest. And if it serves as a warning to even one kid who may be starting out on the same road, then it is a job well done’: Noel ‘Razor’ Smith, crime writer (from the Foreword) .
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 28, 2018
Wow Justin. Just finished reading The Lost Boyz. Firstly what a read... all that chaos, mayhem, violence, substance abuse and mental health issues, crammed into 160 pages that literally had me holding my breath in places.
Secondly, because I had the pleasure of meeting Justin when we were both speaking at an event in London, I know how incredible writing this book is. No punches are held with it (no pun intended) and it exposes the raw and deeply horrific experiences of his teen years.
The Justin I met was dead nervous prior to going on stage, he is a big guy and yet when we chatted he has a real soft side that emerges and one can't help but like him.
Thank you Justin for my personalised cover, thank you for sharing your story and treble high five for the incredible turn around in your life that means you can now mentor other young people and stop them going down the rabbit hole of hopelessness.
Anyone who works with young people, especially those at risk of offending or those in care could do well to read this book. It's not pretty reading, but it helps you get into the mind of a very vulnerable young man that was desperately calling out for help .
December 18, 2021
“You may have a book inside you” was the perfect way to end this account. It was an honour to meet in person and hear Justin talk about his life and his past, and it was an honour to read it too.
August 17, 2025
0.5 stars
I don't see why this has been rated so highly. I read the book after a lecture at UoD by Rollins which I found whiny. I found the book sought to deflect personal blame.
I don't see why this has been rated so highly. I read the book after a lecture at UoD by Rollins which I found whiny. I found the book sought to deflect personal blame.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews