The article concerns the outline of the history of graffiti in Latin America. In the first part the author discusses the general genesis of graffiti and its development in the New World, and in the second part focuses on the example of Brazil. Characterizing a complex phenomenon of graffiti, the author shows its specific character in the metropolitan realities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The morphological analysis (techniques, compositions, divisions) and the analysis of the physiology of functioning (theme, motivation, perception) allow the reader to discover the specific character of graffiti and to understand why Brazil on the South American continent, just like the United States in the world, has become a leading place of the development of a subculture which stands for graffiti. The street painting also in this region is placed between vandalism and art. The Brazilian specific character of graffiti is its expression and meaning of communication, showing serious social-political problems troubling the inhabitants of districts, who have no other opportunities to express their often right, full of rebellion opinions.