In a maze with endless routes, alleys, and buildings lies the heart and skateboard of Miami’s very own street skater J.T. or better known as Skate Dade.
BlackSkullz Apparel had the opportunity to hit the streets with J.T. to learn more about this POWERFUL MIND and understand the Miami Skate Culture and Scene; A culture and scene that for many may be hard to find in such a grandiose city.
“The feeling of going fast on the piece of wood is the reason why I love skating so much,” shared J.T., who started by watching his neighbor riding a skateboard at the age of 13. Now, 10 years later, J.T. lives for the skate culture:
“Skating means everything to me, plain and simple. The skate culture means a brotherhood, your street family. It’s something you’re a part of and becomes a lifestyle. The skate culture and scene out here in Miami has made me into the man I am today, and for that I’m grateful to my skateboard. My skateboard raised me, you truly find yourself on a skateboard. It’s just you and your board, nothing else fucking matters!”
With Miami being such a major city, one would assume that the skate culture is very prevalent, but the city is a “HUGE maze for cars,” making it difficult for skaters like J.T. to find skating spots in the streets. J.T. states, “…as for skaters we’re free to skate up a building if it were possible… That moment you have a cop coming at you and you only get one more try to land your trick is the biggest obstacle a skater in Miami faces, but at the same time, it wouldn’t be so thrilling if it wasn’t this way.” Although finding skate spots in the city of Miami may be a challenge, J.T. still enjoys his favorite spot of all time, a six stair set that he used to skate at in front of Citrus Middle School; J.T recalls, “ It was my first real skate hangout spot.”
A Fuck You Mentality
“The fuck you mentality that’s intertwined with the skate culture is something that comes with a skater’s gut. It means many things, for example fuck you, fuck everything, fuck everyone, I’m going to do what I want, when I want to, because I want to… Fuck you!” -J.T.
The fuck you mentality is carried within each individual within the skate culture; however being accepted in the “brotherhood” comes more with an open mind. J.T. explains, “There’s no being accepted into the skate culture. If you can ride and you’re good then you’re in.”
Miami Skate Culture
Being a skater in Miami is different from being a skater in other cities like L.A. and New York, where the skate culture is really defined and very prevalent in the city. J.T. gave us insight on why the skate culture in Miami isn’t as prevailing as it is elsewhere: “Well to begin with, in the 1950s, surfers in California got the bright idea to surf on concrete and skating was born. In California skateboarding is not only accepted but it’s encouraged. In both New York and L.A. there are a number of skateparks.”
J.T. reminded us that in Miami, there are only three professionally made skate parks, none of them are even a fourth as big as the ones in California’s Venice or New York’s LES.
Although the skate culture and scene in Miami is not as popular as it is in other cities, it only pushes forward the culture and scene to expand and become more known:
“The skate culture and scene in Miami is very underground, sometimes even looked down upon. Like people don’t want to let us skaters be free. But at the same time the skate culture and scene out here has grown immensely within the past few years, thanks to local skate parks that were recently built by skaters for skaters. The skate culture and scene out here is also very open, meaning there are no boundaries. We skate the streets regardless of what people say, it’s practically a religion to skate the streets out here.”
With J.T.’s love for skating, comes a growing vision for the Miami skate culture and scene, he explains that the skating culture and scene has the opportunity to grow by hosting events such as competitions amongst skaters. He believes it’s a great way for skaters, young and old, to compete and most importantly network with one another.
To push forward his vision, J.T hosted the first ever J.T.’s JAM event. Here were his words:
“So as to the event I hosted at the Lot 11 Skate Park earlier this month. I wanted to do something like this for awhile but I didn’t have enough product to do it. With the help of BlackSkullz Apparel it was easy to get other Brands on board and to contribute product as well. The turn out was amazing, so many skaters that I didn’t even know about, came out and joined in on the fun. It was a great way to get everyone together and hang out. We had live art by an old friend of mine Ceaser Duh Great and also live music by 2 different DJs, La Jardin, a great skate friend of mine and A Jedeye named Jay helped me out as well, who’s also an old friend of mine. I came about this idea when I kept seeing contest popping up everywhere else except Miami. So I thought, I’ll do it myself. Special thanks to Skellywax and Untamed Gorilla Skateboards. For being the other two sponsors outside of BlackSkullz Apparel!”
Streetwear in Miami
“Skaters, we’re known for our edgy, rowdy, and rebellious attitude with our canvas to self express being the street,” answered J.T. when asked as to why streetwear brands view skaters as the “gatekeepers” for streetwear. With the skating culture and scene in Miami growing, comes along a streetwear style. J.T.’s insight on streetwear fashion was an interesting one when questions as to why Miami isn’t looked at as a hub for viable streetwear:
“Damn, that’s a really good question. I don’t know why Miami has never been looked at as a hub for viable streetwear, maybe because people don’t walk as much out here in Miami from point A to point B. As opposed to in New York where everyone damn near walks everywhere, which allows much more awareness to one’s clothing and outfits.”
With prominent streetwear brands that represent each city, such as Supreme representing New York, Miami has a brand that with it’s JUST DIFFERENT attitude and IN YOUR FACE authenticity will become the face of streetwear for Miami: BLACKSKULLZ Apparel.
“BlackSkullz has a very strong team behind it with great brand ethics. It can definitely become Miami’s first authentic and prominent streetwear brand. BlackSkullz can accomplish this by continuing to push its way into the streets through what the brand represents. Our scene in general out here in Miami is one of a kind and BlackSkullz is exactly what Miami needs.”
For more of J.T. follow his Instagram @mrskatedade! Stay on the lookout for his next J.T.’s JAM!