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Stevie Williams

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For the British cyclist, see Stephen Williams (cyclist).

Stevie Williams
Williams in 2023
Personal information
Born (1979-12-17) December 17, 1979 (age 45)[1]
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
OccupationProfessional skateboarder
Years active1994–present
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportSkateboarding
Turned pro1999

Stevie Williams (born December 17, 1979) is a professional skateboarder who was included in the twenty-seventh position of the "30 Most Influential Skaters of All Time" list that was compiled by Transworld Skateboarding in late 2011.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Williams grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (US), and started skateboarding at the age of eleven.[3] It was during the period when Williams began skateboarding that the term "dirty ghetto kids" first emerged, as the title was applied to Williams and his friends.[4] At the age of fourteen, Williams left Philadelphia to hitchhike to California, US.[5]

Professional skateboarding

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At the age of 12 years, Williams and his group of friends met Jeff Pang, a skater who was with the Element brand at the time. Williams asked Pang how he could become an Element team member and subsequently filmed a video part for the 1994 Element video Fine Artists Vol. 1, in which he was named "Lil' Stevie". Williams's part was filmed entirely in Philadelphia.[6]

After appearing in the 1999 Zoo York promotional video, Heads, Williams joined both the Chocolate Skateboards team and the DC Shoes team during the same year. Williams filmed a full part that appeared in the 1999 Chocolate Tour video and released a signature model shoe with DC in 2000.[7][8]

Williams appeared in the 2003 DC Shoes video The DC Video prior to commencing his own company with the assistance of his business partner, Eli Soto, who had collaborated with Williams on the Gold Wheels brand.[9] The pair eventually formed the distribution company Kayo Corp with Troy Morgan, and released the first Kayo promotional video in 2004.[10][11] Following the 13-minute promotional video, Kayo then released It's Official in 2006, in which the four key brands of the company were introduced in video form: DGK, Organika, Expedition and Gold.[12]

Williams received sponsorship from Casio's G-Shock brand around 2009[13] and has released two signature watches with the company. In a 2012 promotional video Williams explained his decision to represent G-Shock: "The reason I identify with G-Shock? The toughness, the street credibility, the colorways, the ethics, and the legacy is, is definitely what I would want to be in my brain when I think of G-Shock—complements everything I've done in my career."[14] Williams represented the G-Shock brand in January 2013, visiting Berlin, Germany as an ambassador during the brand's thirtieth anniversary celebration, whereby it opened a "pop-up" store in the European city.[15]

Following the demise of the DGK-Reebok partnership, Williams was without a shoe sponsor for a prolonged period—he released a guest shoe model with the ALife brand during this period[16] —and was eventually signed by the Supra brand in early 2011.[17] Williams released his first signature shoe, entitled the "S1W", for Supra in mid-2012, with an accompanying video.[18][19]

Alongside professional skateboarders Arto Saari, Brandon Biebel, and Tony Alva, Williams completed a photo and video shoot for Playboy that was shot in 2013 by Irish photographer Tony Kelly.[20] The shoot is entitled "Playboy Poolside" and features the four subjects skateboarding in and around an empty swimming pool.[21]

Williams collaborated with Supra on the "Estaban" signature shoe model that will be released in July 2014. Williams explained in a June 25, 2014 interview: "This is without a doubt my most style-driven and innovative design since my first pro shoe ... Growing up, I’d always wear three-quarter length mid tops. They’re the most stylish to me. The way they looked when I skated, with my jeans, when I was hanging out, they always looked the best."[22]

DGK

[edit]
Main article: Dirty Ghetto Kids

Williams is the founder and co-owner of Dirty Ghetto Kids (DGK) skateboards, an American skateboard company.[1] The brand is distributed by the Kayo Corp company, a partnership that was established through Williams' friendship with Troy Morgan from Kayo.[9][23]

In 2004, Williams' manager, Peter Golden, negotiated a contract with Reebok, whereby Williams was subsequently sponsored by the shoe company. Golden and Williams worked with Reebok to design a complete product line, including DGK skate shoes and clothing—the collection was named "RBK-DGK". Williams was the first professional skateboarder to be sponsored by Reebok.[24] Williams was later asked to contribute to the design of the "Flipside" Air Jordan skate sneaker, produced by Nike, Inc.[25]

Williams announced the establishment of the "Da Playground" indoor training facility in 2011—the facility is located in Atlanta, Georgia, US and its main purpose is to provide a location for the DGK team to skate.[26] However, footage that has been filmed inside the facility has also featured non-DGK skateboarders.[27][28]

Williams explained the ethos of both himself and DGK in a 2013 interview with the European skateboard publication, Kingpin—the importance of fun, friendship, and community is highlighted:

I like reminiscing about the things that made me psyched on skating as a kid, it helps me go out there and keep doing it. The problem with most videos these days is that they just show how challenging skateboarding is, rather than showing how fun it is. I don’t have time for that shit. It feels like they are going too far, we’ve got to go back in time… It just doesn’t look fun anymore. I think that’s why the DGK video was so successful. We would go out all together, skate the same spots and you can actually see that we are having a bunch of fun.[15]

The DGK team was selected for the "Best Team" award at the 15th Annual Transworld SKATEboarding Awards that is produced by Transworld SKATEboarding magazine; the award followed a sixteen-page feature in TransWorld SKATEboarding magazine‘s April 2012 issue and the full-length video Parental Advisory, in which every team member contributed a full video part[29] Williams stated in a June 2014 interview that he considers DGK his "biggest accomplishment" in skateboarding at that point in time.[22]

Sponsors

[edit]

Williams is sponsored by DGK, Supra, G-Shock,[1] 9five Eyewear,[30] Gold,[31] Grizzly Griptape,[32] Venture,[33] Diamond Supply Co.,[34] Beats by Dre,[4] Bones Bearings, and Asphalt Yacht Club (AYC).[35][36][37][38]

Skateboarding influences

[edit]

During the Transworld interview that was in relation to his placement in the magazine's "Most Influential" list, whereby he attained the twenty-seventh position, Williams identified the five skateboarders that he believed have been the most influential: Rodney Mullen ("number one ... everybody owes their technical support to Rodney Mullen"); "number two, Daewon Song"; "number three, Guy Mariano"; "four", Henry Sanchez; "... and five, I'll just leave dangling for all of us". Williams was then asked to select a single top influence—"the most influential skateboarder of all time"—and he replied, "I will have to give it to Rodney Mullen ... out of a respect of what he's created."[39]

In 2013, Williams has identified former Underworld Element rider Curtis McCann as his all-time favorite European skateboarder, while also explaining that he continues to focus on older skateboard videos from his youth, such as Questionable, Love Child, and Tim and Henry's Pack of Lies, for inspiration and enjoyment.[15]

Influence

[edit]

In regard to his own influence on skateboarding, Williams has stated:

I don't know—I always just been a skateboarder ... me and my friends used to always get teased, "Oh, you're not a real skater; why you wearing Nikes or Reeboks?" ... I can't really be laughed at so much—I'm already riding a skateboard ... I guess, like, the other kids that can, kind of, relate to Stevie Williams—I won't even say, like, black; I'll just say urban kids—that would be, like, "Yo, I can still be myself, and still be skating, and do dah, dah, dah".[39]

Williams revealed an unusual griptape technique for the purpose of a lighter skateboard deck in July 2013, explaining that he only uses four bolts to attach the trucks to the deck (eight bolts are typically used) and lays the griptape over the top of the bolts, rather than underneath them.[40]

In a July 2013 interview with the Berrics website, DGK professional Keelan Dadd explained the influence of Williams upon his own skateboarding:

Stevie was one of the dudes I really first recognized and could relate to. I was that little kid with baggy clothes and a little chain just doing what I wanted to do ... People would hit me up on him as I was going and then once I understood skateboarding more, I was like "damn, Stevie's tight as shit". It was dope. Stevie is one of my favorite skaters.[41]

Business owner

[edit]

In 2006, Williams opened the skate shop L&K Limited in Oceanside, California, US, together with Nick Lockman,[42] and in 2008, he opened the skate shop Sk8tique in Atlanta, Georgia, US. In the press release for the launch of the Atlanta store, Sk8tique was described as a "skate boutique [that] offers a fusion between the urban and skating communities and gear provided by DGK, The Kayo Corp and other select brands".[3] Williams founded the clothing brand Asphalt Yacht Club (AYC) in 2013 and it was launched in July 2013 with a team that includes Stefan Janoski and Nyjah Huston.[38]

In 2023, Williams launched SK8PES, an NFT project described as "Pioneering urban anime and web3 lifestyle | by @steviewilliams_". The project is scheduled to mint summer of 2023. Several top collabs with other Web3 projects, including with YogaPetz have been setup SK8PES. See Official Twitter account for SK8PES with links to Stevie Williams

Charity work

[edit]

Through the "Save A Heart, Save A Mind" organization that she founded, Williams' mother, Susan Williams, has held charity events at skate parks in California, US.[43][44] The DGK website explains, "Susan holds events to help the disadvantaged youth and young adults in the Los Angeles area."[45] In 2011, Susan Williams held an event at a North Hollywood skate park[46] and in 2012, the organization visited Pedlow Park in southern California's Encino area.[47]

The DGK team was also involved in the launch of the Next Up Foundation's (a (c)3 Non-Profit, Charitable Organization of California) program at the "Boys and Girls" club of Long Beach, California, US. DGK team members, Derrick Wilson, Dane Vaughn, Marcus McBride, Matty "Schmatty" Chaffin, and Lenny Rivas, assisted the foundation—"a resource for kids and teens in underserved communities providing guidance through action sports activities, supplying athletic equipment, mentoring and supervision—on January 22, 2013.[48][49]

Free Fabes campaign

[edit]

On October 5, 2012, Williams' company, DGK, launched the "Free Fabes" campaign to raise legal fees for close friend and former professional skateboarder, Fabian Alomar. A member of the now-defunct brand, Menace, Alomar was arrested and detained on a drug possession charge and faces a lengthy sentence due to California's "3-strike" legislation. Williams appeared in a video segment, alongside Alomar, to promote the campaign.[50] An unseen video part from Alomar, filmed during the height of his career, was published on the internet as part of the campaign.[51]

Video game appearances

[edit]

Williams is a featured character in multiple video games including: Evolution Skateboarding, Tony Hawk's American Wasteland,[52] Tony Hawk's Project 8,[53] Tony Hawk's Proving Ground,[54] Tony Hawk: Ride,[55] and Tony Hawk: Shred.[56] He was also a hidden character for the game NFL Street 2, where he was the captain of his own team, "Team Reebok" with his signature DGK Logo. His position on the game was a wide receiver. Stevie appeared in MTV Sports: Skateboarding Featuring Andy Macdonald.

Biographical Chronicle

[edit]

On February 23, 2021, X Games Premiered [57] "BEING STEVIE WILLIAMS" a Video Chronicle about his journey from the streets of Philadelphia to successful entrepreneur and icon.

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Game Himself "The Truth Hurts" (season 2: episode 8)

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2007 Beef IV Himself

Videography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1994 Element: Fine Artists Vol. 1 Himself
1994 411VM - Issue 9 Himself
1997 FTC: Video III Himself
1999 Transworld: The Reason Himself
1999 Chocolate: The Chocolate Tour Himself
1999 Zoo York: Heads Himself
2000 Transworld: Anthology Himself
2000 CKY2K Himself
2002 Gold: Got Gold? Himself
2003 411VM - Issue 60 Himself
2003 Closure Himself
2003 Logic - Issue 14: Contrast Himself
2003 DC: The DC Video Himself
2004 ON Video - Winter 2004 Himself
2004 DC: The DC Video (Deluxe Edition) Himself
2004 The Kayo Corp: Promo Himself
2006 The Kayo Corp: It's Official Himself
2011 DGK/Zero: Fresh 'til Death Himself
2011 Supra: European Tour Himself
2011 DGK: Da Playground Himself
2012 DGK: Parental Advisory Himself[58]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "G-Shock Athletes – Stevie Williams". G-Shock. CASIO AMERICA, INC. 2006–2013. Archived from the original on January 18, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  2. ^ Blair Alley; Skin Phillips (February 28, 2012). "30TH ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEWS: STEVIE WILLIAMS PT 1". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Carleton Curtis (October 15, 2008). "STEVIE WILLIAMS' SK8TIQUE – GRAND OPENING". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Officialbeatsbydrdre (March 8, 2012). "Stevie Williams Talks Expansion Of DGK Movement". YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original (Video upload) on March 8, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  5. ^ Blair Alley (interview by Skin Phillips) (February 28, 2012). "30TH ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEWS: STEVIE WILLIAMS PT 1". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  6. ^ "VIDEO PART - STEVIE WILLIAMS (1994)" (Video upload). Element on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. 2009. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "ABOUT US". DC Shoes. DC Shoes, Inc. 2013. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "The Chocolate Tour". Skatevideosite.com. 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  9. ^ a b ogberrics (December 12, 2012). "EST. 02 - DGK - Part 1" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  10. ^ "DGK - THE BERRICS - EST" (Video upload). DGK on YouTube. Google Inc. May 15, 2013. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  11. ^ "The Kayo Corp - Promo". Skatevideosite.com. 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  12. ^ "The Kayo Corp - It's Official". Skatevideosite.com. 2014. Retrieved July 15, 2014.
  13. ^ CheckmateVIP (July 15, 2009). "Stevie Williams - G-Shock" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  14. ^ gshockus (June 19, 2012). "G-Shock x Stevie Williams - featuring the GA110SN-7A mens digital watch" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  15. ^ a b c Arthur (January 21, 2013). "HOMENEWSFEATURESEXCLUSIVE STEVIE WILLIAMS INTERVIEW Exclusive Stevie Williams Interview". Kingpin. MPORA Pure Action Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  16. ^ Emily (September 1, 2010). "ALIFE X STEVIE WILLIAMS – LIMITED EDITION EVERYBODY HI AMERICA". freshness. Complex Style. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  17. ^ "Stevie Williams Signs With Supra Footwear". Digital Skateboarding. January 25, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  18. ^ SUPRA Footwear (July 2012). "SUPRA Presents The Stevie Williams S1W" (Video upload). SUPRA Footwear on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  19. ^ Robin Fleming (July 25, 2012). "STEVIE WILLIAMS STEPS IN THE S1W". ESPN Action Sports. ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on July 20, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  20. ^ "Biography". Tony Kelly Photography. 2013. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  21. ^ Tony Kelly (June 5, 2013). "Playboy Poolside by Tony Kelly" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2013.
  22. ^ a b Kailee Bradstreet (June 25, 2014). "STEVIE WILLIAMS ON THE SUPRA SIGNATURE ESTABAN". TransWorld Business. TEN. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  23. ^ "Kayo Products". The Kayo Corp. January 2013. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  24. ^ Transworld (December 17, 2004). "STEVIE & RBK, CAIRO ON KRUX, CURTIN PRO, AND MORE". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  25. ^ Sneakerfiles (March 14, 2008). "Air Jordan Skate Shoe Confirmed". Sneakerfiles. Sneakerfiles.com. Retrieved August 24, 2012.
  26. ^ DGK (November 21, 2011). "DA PLAYGROUND - GLIMPSE - STEVIE WILLIAMS" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  27. ^ StreetSmartSkate (November 16, 2012). "Daniel Kim at "Da Playground"" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  28. ^ DGK (June 19, 2012). "DA PLAYGROUND - LIL WAYNE" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  29. ^ TWS (February 28, 2013). "WINNERS: 15TH ANNUAL TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING AWARDS PRESENTED BY NEW ERA". Transworld SKATEboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  30. ^ "Stevie Williams for 9five Eyewear". 9five Eyewear. January 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  31. ^ "It Was All A Dream - Stevie Williams". Gold. The Kayo Corp. December 22, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  32. ^ "Stevie Williams". Grizzly Griptape. 2010. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  33. ^ "STEVIE "FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER" WILLIAMS". Venture. Venture, Deluxe Distribution. 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  34. ^ "stevie williams". Diamond Supply Co. 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  35. ^ "BONES BEARINGS TEAM THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORDINARY AND EXCEPTIONAL". Bones Bearings. Skate One. 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  36. ^ "Stevie Williams". Brick Harbor. January 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  37. ^ "Stevie Williams Skater Profile". SPoT Skate Shop. Skatepark of Tampa. February 24, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  38. ^ a b Kevin Duffel (July 15, 2013). "newsHIT Interview: Stevie Williams & Stefan Janoski Discuss Asphalt Yacht Club". TransWorld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  39. ^ a b Skin Phillips; Cameron Holland and Shigeo (March 13, 2012). "30TH ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEWS: STEVIE WILLIAMS PT 2" (Video upload). Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  40. ^ TWS (July 17, 2013). "MY RIDE: STEVIE WILLIAMS" (Video upload). TransWorld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  41. ^ Stephen Cox; Yoon Sul (July 25, 2013). "Interrogated Keelan Dadd". The Berrics. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
  42. ^ L&K Limited Opening Transworld Skateboarding, 2006-11-13
  43. ^ Blair Alley (September 7, 2011). "DGK PRESENTS SAVE A HEART, SAVE A MIND". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporations. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  44. ^ "Save a Heart, Save a Mind". Thrasher Skateboard Magazine. High Speed Productions, Inc. May 18, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  45. ^ "SaveAHeart : DGK All Day". DGKq. Kayo Corp. February 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  46. ^ "Save A Heart Save A Mind: North Hollywood/Susan Williams" (Video upload). jason klotz on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. February 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  47. ^ REBELHEAD13 (March 13, 2012). "Save a Heart Save a Mind skateboard competition @ Pedlow" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ TWS (January 30, 2013). "DGK AT NEXT UP GRAND OPENING, LONG BEACH". Transworld Skateboarding. Bonnier Corporation. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  49. ^ "Our Mission". Next Up Foundation. January 2013. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  50. ^ "freefabes: DGK ALL DAY". DGK. The Kayo Corp. 2012. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  51. ^ Ryan (October 5, 2012). "Fabian Alomar's lost Menace section". Sidewalk. MPORA Pure Action Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  52. ^ Alex Spendlove (January 29, 2010). "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland All Characters" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  53. ^ voxep (October 27, 2006). "Stevie Williams in tony hawk's project 8" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  54. ^ "Tony Hawk's Proving Ground - Stevie Williams' Story" (Video upload). Spike. Spike.com. November 9, 2007. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  55. ^ Kevin Strick (May 2012). "Tony Hawk: Ride Montage" (Video upload). Kevin Strick on Vimeo. Vimeo LLC. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  56. ^ "Tony Hawk: Shred". Gamespy. IGN Entertainment, Inc. October 26, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  57. ^ "BEING STEVIE WILLIAMS". X Games. Google, Inc. 2021. Archived from the original on December 19, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  58. ^ "Stevie Williams skate videos". Skatevideosite.com. 2005–2013. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
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