Skateboarding has gained an undeniable presence in hip-hop. How do you feel you’ve contributed to that success?

I think by just staying true to who I was.  I’m a big music fan.  I grew up in a household that was big on hip-hop.  So I just kept my same attitude, my same upbringing.  So I think it just went hand-in-hand, because I still looked like the normal, typical kid out the neighborhood, but I just skateboard, you know?

How does it feel to participate in a sport that is dominated by white skaters (in a commercial sense)?

What’s so crazy about that, dude, is like, that’s the first thing I ever did.  I always tell people when I interview like, that was the first community I ever went around and was actually accepted.  I played football and basketball and all that stuff in high school, but I was smaller then, so I wasn’t accepted.  It was like “Oh you ain’t fast enough” or “Oh you ain’t got enough weight.” I came into the situation with dirty shoes on, dirty threads and everybody was just like “Hey, let’s skate.”  It wasn’t nothin’ like, “Oh, this dude look outta the ordinary.” It was real cool.

How do you view African-Americans in skating?

Dude, they’re talented man.  It’s a lot of young dudes that’s under me that are African-American that are sponsored by a couple of companies that I’m on, and those dudes, the way they progressed, man, it’s amazing.  Like when I go back to my neighborhood in Long Beach, I see the kids in the neighborhood skating, and … it’s crazy.  Because, like, I’ll say, “Yo, let me see a kickflip,” and they kickflip and I’m like “Damn!”  It’s definitely growing at a rapid speed.  It’s amazing to go back and see stuff like that – kids going in the right direction and at the same time its cool. So many girls call me sexy now just off the simple fact that I skate, you know? [laughs] It’s crazy … kids love it because it makes you feel good about yourself.  You’re not, like, abandoned with the situation, like when I came through.  Now you can wear it like a badge of honor.  You got your little board, and you do what you do and people accept it.  That’s an overall blessing.

Do you think that Team Ice Cream had a major role in commercial skating?

Oh, heck yeah man, hands down. To this day, I always thank Pharrell. I just saw him just a few days ago, actually. And I appreciate that dude, because he was the one that helped us bring the situation we had to a bigger and better plateau.  It was only like respected in the white communities, like the commercial side of things – not the inner cities and the kids that really do it.  So he helped broadcast our talents in a way that would have our community accept it and be down for it.  Like, “Damn!  They travel, and they got chains and this and that.” It’s crazy because it appeals to our people and paints that picture.  That’s why, to this day, I always say I love that dude to death.  He’s like my big brother and I respect everything he’s done for us.  And he caught a lot of bullshit behind it and he kept with it.  And that shows his dedication to it.  A lot of people in the skate community were hating on him and hating on me throughout the situation because it was like “What’s going on?” We caught a lot of wrap behind it.  Like, when the video came out and people saw it, the press stuff and everything, and they accepted it, [I was] like “Whoa, I didn’t know it was that real.”  It was monumental.  It was fun … it was really fun.

Did your environment play a major role in your decision to skate?

Not for the better side of it. Long story short – growing up, I used to have to hide my board at my friend’s house and put my skate shoes in my backpack when I went through my neighborhood.  Because, like, all my brothers gangbanged and all that crazy stuff, so I guess the fact that I wanted to skate made our community look weak.  I don’t know what the fuck it was, but them niggas used to always be on me when they saw me with a board … It’s crazy though, man, because now when I go home, those same dudes that were going hard on me go out there and buy my board and my shoes and they skate, so it’s a blessing.  I’ve been shot behind it and all that crazy stuff.  But I’m here, and I’m blessed.  And everything’s smooth.

Do you have a moment that you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?

Yeah … [laughing]. I tripped out because I’m in the Vibe magazine with Obama.  That shit was like … I didn’t even know.  I was on the Baker Tour in Alabama.  I was at 7-11 and the Vibe cover had him on there, and I picked it up and I was flipping through it, and they had me in there talking about how I was one of the main supporters that helped push [Barack Obama].  I’m like “Damn!” because that’s crazy, just to even have your name next to Barack Obama’s.  I mean, that shit blew my grandma back!  My grandma, she’s a big fan of his, and she was like “Damn, boy!”  I mean, I don’t know … they asked me a quote and I spray painted his name on my board so when I skate I look down at it and I get more inspiration.  Anytime I feel like I can’t do something, I just look down at my board and see “Obama,” then I go hard. But it tripped me out because … to be in there and speak on that man’s behalf … that was crazy.

What’s your signature move?
Mostly “fakie” tricks … I like switching up the grinds, too.

Talk a little bit about [your rap group/brand] Fly Society and the upcoming projects.

Yeah! The Fly Society thing is going well; we’ve got a couple of offers on the table, so hopefully we seal one of these deals. We’re looking to push the album out like next year – summer. Around the same time as my shoe [release] because my shoe comes out on Supra in March of next year, so we’re trying to keep it around that.  We have the clothing line that we did – Fly Society Apparel through Kr3w Clothing – my other clothing line.  It’ll be out spring of ’09.  And that’s it. I mean, the music and all that has been good and we’ve been staying busy and focused.

Who are the other members of Fly Society?
Well, it’s actually like a whole big movement. It’s the skateboarding, the rapping, the fashion … it’s just ripped and mixed and it’s like all one world. There’s a lot of us.

What is your signature style of dress?
I only wear the stuff I’m endorsed by. But, like, I don’t wear my clothes big, I keep them slim.  Nice and neat, because I don’t like baggy clothes.  I hate looking down at my jeans and seeing them shits just drooping all over my shoes … when I’m skating. That shit is just not cool.  That’s not me.  I just keep it really basic, clean. That’s it.  But I see everybody dressing like skaters, rockin’ Supras and stuff, that’s crazy. That’s powerful.

What is one time in your career that you reinvented yourself?
Yeah, from my childhood to growing up and getting sponsored.  Like when I first got sponsored, I didn’t take it seriously.  I was still hanging around and being a knucklehead, because I got sponsored in like 9th grade.  I was just making a couple of dollars and I bought a few clothes and started acting a fool.  But then, you know I got shot, right?  So after that, it made me wise up a lot.  But before, I was so bad! I was bad … I was a terrible little-ass dude from Long Beach.  I was just a fuckin’ knucklehead.  A bad little peasy-head motherfucker man. But then I got around Pharrell and those guys, and they showed me how to straighten up my business and stuff in a dope manner.

Who are your picks for the top 5 greatest athletes of all time?
Michael Jordan, David Beckham … that dude is the boss. Kobe, Ken Griffey, Jr.  Growing up, I used to love the Ken Griffey shoes, man.  I never got a pair and I wanted them SO bad! My mom was not messing with it. Oh! Bruce Lee.  I know he ain’t no athlete, but Bruce Lee is a fucking G, too, man. That dude was … whoo!

Is there anything you’d like for the readers to know?
Yeah, don’t forget to check out Sk8site.com. Go there and check out the latest footage of us just kickin’ it, hanging out, doing everyday stuff and just skating.

Interviewed by: Jonnine Yarbrough – jyarbrough@goatmag.com

For the fans of 30 teams all across the world, this disappointment was all too real. But for the devoted (and some bandwagon) fans of the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, their countless hours of faith have paid off. The wish of every NFL fan has been granted to these fortunate few. So, for the rest who have no stock in either of the teams playing, will you watch?

Most would say that the Super Bowl is a must-see for any football fan, and to miss it would be considered a capital crime. After all, it’s not just about supporting the team, right? It’s the love of the game that makes football fans tune in year after year. And who can forget the halftime show, or even the million dollar commercial spots that are the hot topic around the water cooler on Monday morning? To enthusiasts, Super Bowl Sunday is like Christmas.

For some, though, the Super Bowl is only as good as the teams that are in it. Unless you’re a Patriots fan, many of the Super Bowls have been replays (that is, until the Giants came along with the Cinderella Story of the century). Just because two underdog teams have managed to somehow defeat all opponents in their conference doesn’t guarantee a good game. They’re underdogs for a reason. But if the teams have been playing with a little extra umph during the season, viewers may be pleasantly surprised.

So, with the news of the Steelers-Cards matchup, many fans feel that these are teams that, perhaps, may not put on a good show. The Super Bowl is being hosted in Tampa this year, which is right down the road from my Orlando location. Somehow, though, I am not as excited as I would have been if the Giants, or even the Eagles, were playing. A Pittsburgh vs. Arizona matchup seems to leave something to be desired. Besides, come February 1st, what else will there be to do? I guess I’ll be planted in front of the flat-screen watching Super Bowl XLIII to see how it unfolds. I’ll watch, but whoever wins, I won’t be happy about it.

For Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett, the Yankees paid a combined total of about $423.5 million. Now, it seems, for many, that the fact that the Yankees have $400 million available to grab up any and everyone who becomes available is extremely unfair. As a fan of the Boys in Blue, my perception of the situation might be a bit lop-sided when I say that those in favor of the cap are probably die-hard fans of teams that don’t ever make it very far in the season.

However, I am not so brainwashed that I cannot sympathize with these people. I understand the sting of repetitive defeat, as I also happen to root for the Giants (don’t get me started) and the Knicks. So the idea of being able to possibly prevent any further heartache by forbidding “more fortunate” teams from creating a monopoly would be a consideration.

I can see where people with less fortunate teams would think that a salary cap would be a quick fix, however, what many fans fail to realize is that a salary cap is more complex than simply cutting off the spending amount of teams.

Firstly, a salary cap would, essentially, remove money from players’ pockets and put it in the pockets of the team owners. How many players would agree to that?

Second, the ability to purchase players doesn’t ensure a winning team, as the Yankees learned in 2000. Also, the Mets, who have the 3rd highest payroll, still can’t seem to buy their way to a Championship.
If it weren’t for the Yankees and their luxury taxes, these other teams wouldn’t have a leg to stand on as far as team salaries.

Face it, MLB needs the Yankees. The Yanks are the international poster team for baseball.
My suggestion – instead of putting all your energy into whining about what the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox are doing, pay more attention to teams like the A’s and the Twins, who have mastered the art of stretching their dollar and utilizing the draft. I mean, look how far Tampa Bay made it with a fresh team!

Bottom line, there are pros and cons to implementing a salary cap. Money can buy a team, but money can’t buy guarantees; you either have it or you don’t.

by: Jonnine Yarbrough

Syndicated from http://www.espn.com – ESPN.com.

1. MLB trade deadline: St. Louis Cardinals get Jake Westbrook from Cleveland Indians - The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired Indians pitcher Jake Westbrook in a three-team deal that included the San Diego Padres
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers agree with top pick Gerald McCoy, left tackle Donald Penn - The Buccaneers have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with first-round draft pick Gerald McCoy and also reached a six-year deal with restricted free agent left tackle Donald Penn.
3. 2010 NFL training camp: Washington Redskins' Albert Haynesworth has swollen knee, didn't take test - A swollen knee has kept Albert Haynesworth from taking his conditioning test, sidelining him from Washington Redskins training camp practice for the third straight day.
4. Kansas City Royals trade OF Rick Ankiel, reliever Kyle Farnsworth to Atlanta Braves - The NL East-leading Atlanta Braves have acquired outfielder Rick Ankiel, reliever Kyle Farnsworth and cash from the Kansas City Royals in a five-player deal.
5. Ben Roethlisberger with first-team offense to start camp - Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin cautioned that he will not be locked in with a set rotation at quarterback this summer. But on the opening practice of training camp, Ben Roethlisberger played with the first-team offense.
6. 2010 NFL training camps: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones says his response to Dez Bryant's injury wasn't meant to criticize coaching staff - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said his reaction to Dez Bryant's injury wasn't meant to criticize his coaching staff.
7. MLB trade deadline: Chicago Cubs trade Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to Los Angeles Dodgers for Blake DeWitt, prospects - The Chicago Cubs have completed a deal to send Ted Lilly and Ryan Theriot to the Dodgers for Blake DeWitt and prospects.
8. British Women's Open: Yani Tseng leads by four strokes - Yani Tseng shot her third straight 4-under 68 on Saturday, and will take a four-stroke lead into the final round of the Women's British Open.
9. 2010 NFL training camps: Reggie Bush of New Orleans Saints putting USC controversy in past - New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush said Saturday it's time to put the controversy from his days at the University of Southern California behind him.
10. Atlanta Braves' leadoff hitter Martin Prado has broken knuckle - Second baseman Martin Prado has a broken knuckle on his right pinkie finger, an injury that will sideline the Atlanta Braves' leadoff hitter for at least a week.
11. New York Yankees complete trade for Houston Astros' Lance Berkman - The New York Yankees have completed their trade to acquire Lance Berkman from the Houston Astros.
12. MLB trade deadline: Chad Qualls traded from Arizona Diamondbacks to Tampa Bay Rays - The Tampa Bay Rays made a move to bolster its bullpen for the stretch run, acquiring setup man Chad Qualls from the Arizona Diamondbacks to a player to be named later.

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Future plans: Wright says he looks forward to getting involved in some movie roles.  Having had cameo appearances in several music videos, having a record label and always demonstrating his commitment to the community by giving back of his time and resources to urban youth centers, Wright thinks an avenue in movies will be a nice change of pace.