INTERVIEWS

Na-Kel Smith Talks Kareem Campbell on Masked Gorilla

Published

3 years ago

February 20, 2020

Skate Newswire

Some people are destined for big things from birth. This seems to be the case with Na-Kel Smith. It’s no secret that Kareem Campbell is his uncle. But to hear him reflect on getting his first board from Reem, and his memories of the time that he spent around him as a very little kid really sets the stage for everything that Nak would go on to accomplish in the culture.

I started skating in elementary school, kind of like 5th grade. I was like 10. I got my first skateboard when I was three, though, cause of my uncle. He’s Kareem Campbell… he gave me my first skateboard and shit. I used to go to his house. You know Big Mama’s Pizza? He used to order that sometimes when we’d go over there. And I would be like, “Oh, he’s ordering a big-ass pizza!” Me and his son used to skate off this bunk bed… And we would play Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1. And he would have boxes of shoes. He was living the life that I’m living now. But when I was a little-ass kid. And it’s crazy to think about—that I’m living it now.

Listen to the entire Masked Gorilla episode above. The bit about Kareem starts at 10:25.

INTERVIEWS

Justin Sommer Featured in Santa Cruz’s True Grit

Published

4 months ago

January 20, 2023

Skate Newswire

Follow the journey of German skateboarding prodigy Justin Sommer in this episode of True Grit, a docu-series produced by Santa Cruz Skateboards.

Born to young parents, he was practically raised in the streets of Berlin where he got introduced to skateboarding. Justin learned the ropes from his older friends.

He also fell into wayward life when he was younger. But with the help of his genuine friends, he was able to steer in the right direction and has now made a successful career in skateboarding.

INTERVIEWS

Kelly Bird Opens Up in Latest The Nine Club Episode

Published

5 months ago

December 28, 2022

Skate Newswire

Nike SB Global Brand Manager Kelly Bird opens up about growing up in Houston, getting into skateboarding, becoming a pro, and eventually transitioning to the industry side of skateboarding.

Before he became the global brand manager of Nike SB, Kelly worked for DC Shoes and Lakai Footwear.

INTERVIEWS

Catch Up with Mariah Duran in the Latest Nine Club Episode

Published

5 months ago

December 20, 2022

Skate Newswire

Pro skater Mariah Duran has always been into sports as a young kid, she revealed in the latest episode of The Nine Club.

The goofy-footed skater from Albuquerque, New Mexico got introduced to skateboarding when she was around 10. Initially, she would borrow his brother’s board, but her mom eventually bought her a board.

She was also into softball when she was younger and basketball when she was in high school. Later on, she shifted her focus to skateboarding.

Mariah won the USA Skateboarding National Championships Womens Street in 2019, and 2021. She placed 4th in the most recent competition.

She is also a two-time X Games gold medalist for Women’s Street Skateboarding.