When I was growing up I had a blanket respect for all skateboarders. I fully embraced The Brotherhood of the Wheel to the ridiculously wide eyed level where if my brother and I saw anyone wearing Vans (or a surf/punk T-shirt) on the street we would approach them and enquire if they skated, rode BMX or did anything that wasn't football - 'hey, let's be friends'. My theory was simple, I loved skating, and anyone else that loved it as well would be cool, right? So after a few years (and a few shitty friends), I figured out a slightly more in-depth friend recruiting process than a Black Flag logo and my decision to talk to fellow skaters was more based on skill level or at very least - commitment. In these dark (late 80s/early 90s) days, anybody that had become good at skating would surely have the type of personality I'd get on with. With no monetary light at the end of the tunnel, if you were fully into skating it was simply because you loved it, and most of my friends that I still have today were from this magical era.
What the fuck am I going on about this for? Well now there IS light at the end of the tunnel and instead of talking to my fellow skaters, I usually cross the road to avoid large groups of the Grizzly Grip generation dreaming of one day making that Sheckler money (for the record I am actually a fan of Sheckler's skating). Even worse, these common plebeians have somehow become the tastemakers and are influencing the upper echelon of the rich and famous to try their hand at skating - with extremely mixed results.
In summary, I still secretly applaud anybody that skates and would never even try and claim that certain people shouldn't skate, but when something that I hold so dear to my heart is so irresponsibly raped in front of my eyes by a Trukfit hat or some leopard skin Zespys, I can't let it go without at least giving my 2cents.
What the fuck am I going on about this for? Well now there IS light at the end of the tunnel and instead of talking to my fellow skaters, I usually cross the road to avoid large groups of the Grizzly Grip generation dreaming of one day making that Sheckler money (for the record I am actually a fan of Sheckler's skating). Even worse, these common plebeians have somehow become the tastemakers and are influencing the upper echelon of the rich and famous to try their hand at skating - with extremely mixed results.
In summary, I still secretly applaud anybody that skates and would never even try and claim that certain people shouldn't skate, but when something that I hold so dear to my heart is so irresponsibly raped in front of my eyes by a Trukfit hat or some leopard skin Zespys, I can't let it go without at least giving my 2cents.
BEEEEEBS
Ok, let's start with a biggie, Justin Bieber. Now I'm actually a fan of li'l Juzzy Wuzzy, I mean I'm far from a fucking Belieber and I'm not out there going to his gigs or any of that nonsense, but I've seen his documentary and I respect that he was out busking on the mean streets of Canada when he was four. The Bieb Meister General got famous at the same age as he was (in perfect tune I'd imagine) shouting "finiiiiished" after his poo so that his mum could come in and wipe his little bum clean. Add to that the fact that every single human on the planet wants to fuck him, and you can understand how he is a bit messed up these days.
Now, in fairness to the J Man he seems to just skate for the fun of it and at least he doesn't fill every fucking music video he makes with skating.
Here we see him switch 180ing over Dyrdek, Terry Kennedy and Greg Lutzka, so I guess he must have some pretty big pop to clear all their huge fucking egos.
Now, in fairness to the J Man he seems to just skate for the fun of it and at least he doesn't fill every fucking music video he makes with skating.
Here we see him switch 180ing over Dyrdek, Terry Kennedy and Greg Lutzka, so I guess he must have some pretty big pop to clear all their huge fucking egos.
Peep the glorious style on the make here and witness his brave attempt at a Caballerial kickturn on a micro ramp. Before we leave Belieb, his recent tagging spree that included his trip to Auckland skatepark must also be noted.
Reportedly his body guards stood around as he sprayed this monstrosity on the wall (after performing this stylish fakie pump) at Auckland's Victoria Park skatepark.
Now I am not an artist in way, but fuck me that 'Bizzle' is some new age shit, possibly the wildest of all styles. I saw someone on Facebook compare it to a Captcha image, which is perfect.
Don't keep up the doodling, Bizzle - this is utter dogshit.
Now I am not an artist in way, but fuck me that 'Bizzle' is some new age shit, possibly the wildest of all styles. I saw someone on Facebook compare it to a Captcha image, which is perfect.
Don't keep up the doodling, Bizzle - this is utter dogshit.
Biebs with Sir Nyjah
Phat ollie, Biebz.
Keeping it core.
Combining his two loves skating and music. Biebs by Dre.
No wonder he hangs out with Lutzka - totally fedorable.
Bloods.
BEN HARPER
Alright, I have to start with a small story about Barper. Once a long time ago, before he was rich and famous - I was at some party in San Diego and this guy was playing to all the rich students in his usual whiney voice. In what can only be described as unperfect timing, I shouted to a friend 'let's get out of here, this guy fucking sucks' at the exact moment his song ended. Ben clearly heard me and looked sad, then we left. The following year I saw him walking down Oxford Street in London and without hesitation called him out again. So when a few years later I heard that he was at a restaurant near where I was in New Zealand I rushed there to give him shit in a third country - he recognised me and I was escorted out by the bouncers as I started my tirade. I don't even really have a problem with his songs, it is just an ongoing joke that I can't stop. Oh and he can do lazer flips and is friends with Mullen. Good on you, Ben. See you around, buddy.
Lazer flip at Stoner
Nollie Heel
You won't be laughing next time I see you, Harper.
Of course he's mates with Vallellellellely.
KATHERINE HEPBURN
Katherine Hepburn was fucking dope. More than just an outspoken and beautiful actress, she gave skating a good nudge back in 1967. As you can see below, she was a pioneer of slalom skating and was clearly the originator of the big pants, small wheels era - 20 odd years before Henry Sanchez first rolled into EMB.
CHRIS BROWN
Chris Brown is a fucking twat. It's not even really about the Rihanna beating either (she does seem pretty annoying). It's just his shitty face and even shitter music. Fuck you, Chris and fuck your cry baby whining voice. Every time you appear on my television my mood takes a turn for the worse - spiralling to an almost suicidal state before I can locate the remote and get your smarmy face off my screen. You suck at skating too, you fucking kook. Just look at him and his crew with their off-road tractors below. Some of the worst humans on the planet.
LIL WAYNE
A lot of people hate on him for various reasons - disgusting clothes, a hideous compendium of sponsors, one of the worst attitudes on earth - the list goes on and on, but when he claimed he was going to be the greatest skateboarder in the world, everybody agreed that he'd gone too far. Surely this terrible human didn't have what it takes to prove this insane claim. Well ladies and gentlemen after watching this, all I can do is my eat my hat. Congratulations man, that was some stellar stuff.
JADEN SMITH
Unlike Justin Bieber, Will Smith's son, Willow chooses to include skating in all of his songs. This prick not only taints skateboarding for everyone with his grotesque music, but he skates in those ninja pants that look like you've shit yourself whilst still being skin tight around the shins - Zespys I believe the kids are calling them. This is NOT ok. Sometimes I wish those bullies had done a better job on your dad all those years ago before he escaped to Bel-Air, just so we wouldn't have to put up with your shit.
Exhibit A: Leopard skin ninja shit pants whilst hanging with his homies Theotis and Cole.
SOUL(J)A BOY
All I am going to say about this cunt is that he reportedly spelt his own name wrong on his latest mixtape.
ATL TWINS
I have love for the ATL Twins. I mean, they are some weird mother fuckers, but they have a bloody good time and can skate really well. They are skaters first and foremost, so they don't really count, but after chilling with Gomez and Franco in that 90minute music video that pedo guy made, they needed to be included.
YELAWOLF
As far as famous people go - he's fucking sick. He's got a pretty good style and a tight 360 flip. Can't hate on that. I mean, I am sure he has a few a I Love Haters T-shirts and has probably worn some Skytops, but nobody's perfect. NB: T shirt and Supra accusations are pure speculation.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Not a huge amount of information on these guys in regard to their skating prowess, so feel free to add any further information in the comments section, or simply add any celebrities we might have missed.
P.s Fuck you Chris Brown.
P.s Fuck you Chris Brown.
Travis Barker is quoted as saying "All I wanted to do was ride skateboards - I wanted to be a professional skateboarder. But I had this problem. I kept breaking half of my body skateboarding"
Ian Mackaye from Fugazi. This Is England flatground manual.
Selena Gomez is mongo and used to get pounded by Bieber.
The original skater girl, Avril Lavigne. I will always be your sk8a boi, Avril!
Pharrell Williams looks like an ant but can do street plants.
John Lennon had an awful wife that single handedly ruined music. He was occasionally allowed out of bed to session his front porch though, so every cloud.
Michael Jackson skated like a pedophile.
Jodie Foster used to ride a skateboard to get home when she was desperate for a poo and couldn't stand up straight. Tight style.
Wonder Woman fucking ripped.
Brian May from Queen was sick as fuck. He would escape from horny Freddy by using his lapper to get up curbs in Benny Hilled styled homosexual chases.
David Lee Roth from Van Halen. This is one of the best tricks ever done. Respect.
Eazy Fucking E with the infamous Natas 101 board and a pistol. I have nothing but praise for this.
Chuck Norris jokes weren't even funny when they came out, but none of that can tarnish this textbook handstand.
Heath Ledger hanging ten. RIP city.
Pete Townshend from The Who looks like a cartoon polar bear, but can bomb hills in the rain.
Jake Gyllenhaal is probably not even rolling here.
Miley put out this amazing part earlier this year. #twerk
Ben Stiller. Fuck knows what he's up to here.
Henry Rollins from Black Flag, keeping it real.