What got you into skateboarding?
What got me into skateboarding was a few friends from my old apartment complex back in Salt Lake City, Utah where I moved to from Ghana, Africa. I would see them skating on the block and at the time I rode bikes, so I was always outdoors being active, somehow, I started hanging around those guys ditched the bike and picked up a skateboard. The rest was history.
What is your skate scene like in your city?
The skate scene in Salt Lake was big, you have guys like Shaun White, Brodie Penrod, Tyson Bowerbank, Ricky Chavez, and some others that made it from the city. The early 2000’s skateboard scene was sick, great skate videos came out from that era, skate shops were in their prime and those that were involved with skateboarding in Salt Lake knew the energy around at that time was priceless. I moved out of Salt Lake in 2016 but I still see the little homies putting in work in the streets. Now I live in in Los Angeles where every city has a skatepark and it is a dream come true.
What is you to go trick to start your sesh?
If you know me, you know I will rock a Nollie Heel or nice Manual to get the legs going.
Do you feel skateboarding has changed your life? How?
That is a good question and honestly, It is an understatement. Skateboarding has given me everything I have in life from my perspective and the way I look at the world to the way I move every day. Always showing love just like If I were encouraging a homie to land a trick that he has been trying hours. Another way skateboarding has changed my life is the constant falling and getting back up, that’s something I keep in mind anytime something doesn’t work out the way I want, no big deal just get back up and try it again.
What pro skater inspires your skateboarding?
A few skateboarders that inspire me are, Boo Johnson, Tommy Fynn, Jacob Walder and Stevie Williams just to name a few and they all have their own individual steez. Boo Johnson just because the way he carries himself. Tommy Fynn has an amazing trick selection. Jacob Walker because he has been in the industry for 10+ years and is still putting in work. Congratulations on him just turning Pro by the way! And finally, Stevie Williams because he paved the way for skaters like me and inspired us to chase our dreams regardless of what anybody else had to say!
Do you prefer watching skate videos on social media or buying it? Why?
When I first started skating I would love going to the skate shops and getting skate videos to watch with my homies an get hyped before and after sessions, actually I still have all of those videos back at my parents’ house so that’s my ultimate preference. As time went on things start transitioning to social media and you got to move with the times or get left behind so I’ve adapted to the social media wave but I’ll still put video parts on YouTube to feed my inner skate rat.
What is the gnarliest trick you have ever done? How did you feel when you landed it?
One trick I was super hyped on when I landed was Nollie Double Heel over the 9 stairs at a school in Downtown LA. I was on a street mission with the DGK crew that day and we are ending up at this school and at first, I was trying Nollie Flip than a good homie of mine, Vitor Borger suggested I try Nollie Double Heel instead. Luckily, it worked out after few tries and everyone was super psyched, I landed it, I actually got some boards from the TM too. You can see that clip as my banger in my Coming to America video part and thanks again to Vitor for that one!
Tell us little bit about your local skate shop & what they do for skateboard scene?
My local skate shop in Salt Lake was a shop called BC Surf & Sport, a lot of people have heard of them because they have locations throughout the states. They were always there when I needed something, and I know many locals would say the same. Then once it came time to step it up a notch, they helped me get my first legit sponsor, DC Shoes. They did everything a skate shop should do and I will always be grateful for what they did. Right now, my local shop is Pharmacy Long Beach and I have got mad respect for them, always showing me love and helping me out with anything I need.
What is your daily routine before you go shred?
My daily routine before a session is making sure I have ate something healthy first and foremost than shoot some messages out and see if anyone wants to skate and defiantly making sure the energy is right with some good music!
Any inspiring words you want to tell the next generation of skaters?
No doubt! As a wiseman once told me, control the controllable so for anyone coming up just remember to do your best and let the rest work itself out and do not stress yourself out! If you see me around do not be scared to say what is up, who knows we might be able to inspire each other!
– TSM MEDIA
