Kareem Campbell

Kareem Campbell, originally from Harlem, moved to Los Angeles at age six when his family sought to escape his father’s street life in New York. He started skateboarding in Venice Beach CA., learning from neighborhood kids and eventually being recognized by pros like Jef Hartsel, Jesse Martinez, Christian Hosoi, and Eric Dressen during the “launch ramp era.” His first sponsorship was with Bronze Age Clothing, followed by Gouge Clothing, both affiliated with Circle Skate, a hub for the Venice skate scene.

Campbell met Steve Rocco, the founder of World Industries, through Jesse Martinez and Jef Hartsel. His initial encounter at the World Industries warehouse led to Mark Gonzales and Felix Arguelles filling a massive package of boards and apparel for him. His mother, however, initially suspected he was selling drugs due to the influx of skateboards.

Later, Kareem briefly left World Industries after filming for Rubbish Heap due to internal chaos and went on to co-found Blue with Chris Pastras and Jason Lee under Vision. However, he eventually returned to World Industries. He describes his video parts, including New World Order and 20 Shot Sequence, as largely spontaneous, filmed during his extensive travels rather than meticulously planned. He takes pride in being the first to Ollie the Santa Monica Triple Set.

Kareem’s most iconic 1996 Trilogy video highlights the creative freedom given to skaters, allowing for raw and uncut expression. He credits his motivation and camaraderie of his crew, including Gabriel Rodriguez, Javier Nunez, Guy Mariano, Gino Iannucci, and Eric Pupecki, for many of his filmed tricks.

Menace, a brand he believes “made its mark” by changing the dynamics of inner-city youth skateboarding and promoting authenticity. He put his rap career aside to focus on mentoring young skaters like Paul Rodriguez, prioritizing their parents’ comfort and understanding of the skateboarding world.

He is proud of the longevity of his career, attributing his continued presence in popular culture, such as the Tony Hawk‘s Pro Skater video game, to his enduring appeal.

Campbell started the “Ghetto Bird” podcast in 2020 through 2021. Enjoy those 6 casual, vibe-driven episodes showcasing skaters as multifaceted individuals and highlight their lives beyond skateboarding.

~J. Greenwood

Covers:

Ads: