Living Proof Radio

Mike Carroll for Living Proof Radio. Full podcast episode now on the Living Proof Patreon.  http://patreon.com/livingproofnewyork 
Mike Carroll is an influential skateboarder and a pioneer of modern day street skating. Coming up in the San Francisco scene of the late 80s / early 90s, he became a regular at Embarcadero Plaza during the spots hey-day. His approach to skateboarding and the brands he built had an immense impact on an entire generation's view of what skateboarding is. Thrasher Magazine recognized Carroll as the 1994 Skater Of The Year. 
Carroll co-founded the legendary Girl Skateboards alongside Rick Howard, Megan Baltimore, and Spike Jonze in 1993. Girl would quickly become a leading name in the industry, releasing several renowned videos, including Goldfish, Mouse, Yeah Right, and Pretty Sweet. These videos raised the bar, introducing a new level of creativity and artistic direction in skateboarding videos.

In 1999 Carroll and Rick Howard launched Lakai Footwear. Lakai was part of a generation of skater-owned companies that shaped the industry before the entrance of corporate brands. Lakai released Fully Flared in 2007, one of the most influential skateboarding videos of all time that featured an all-star roster from Eric Koston, Guy Mariano, Alex Olson and more. Although Lakai would eventually change hands, its legacy will always be tied to the vision of Caroll and Howard.
Today Carroll continues his leadership at Girl and Crailtap, remaining closely involved in the brands direction and commitment.

Styles P for Living Proof Radio. Full podcast episode now on the Living Proof Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/livingproofnewyork
Styles P is a New York City Rapper from Yonkers who rose to prominence as a founding member of The LOX, alongside Jadakiss and Sheek Louch. The group released their debut album ‘Money, Power, & Respect’ and went on to become iconic figures in the 90s New York City hip-hop scene during an era that set the standard for what hip-hop could be and raised the bar globally. 
Sparked by a period of incarceration, Styles P stood out in his generation being one of the early advocates for mental health and wellness. His music focuses on introspection and knowledge of self as well as struggle and pain, reflecting the duality of his life. 
Alongside Jadakiss, he opened a juice bar named  ‘Juices for Life’ in 2011, now spanning six locations throughout New York City.

Shaun Crawford for Living Proof Radio. Full podcast episode now on the Living Proof Patreon.https://www.patreon.com/livingproofnewyork
Shaun Crawford is a graffiti writer & artist from East Harlem, New York. In the early 2000s, Crawford would become known for his work experimenting with and creating handmade inks from raw materials under the name Do*Em*Dirty. 
Through his art, he began designing clothing, which led to collaborations with brands including Nike, Arc'teryx, BAPE, Supreme, Givenchy, Engineered Garments, and Barbour.
Crawford's art has been showcased in many galleries across the globe.  His recent work is on display at Milliony Arlekina Art gallery in Milan until February 2nd.

MARTY for Living Proof Radio. Full podcast episode now on the Living Proof patreon. https://www.patreon.com/livingproofnewyork
MARTY is a graffiti writer from Brooklyn whose name in New York became synonymous with SMART Crew, a collective of graffiti writers, artists & friends whose approach to getting up served as a beacon of ingenuity in the city’s graffiti landscape. Alongside his peers, MARTY’s approach, spot selection and letters had him stand out in an era of graffiti that was rife with talent. 
He speaks on his time spent heavily involved with writing graffiti, avoiding taxes, Riker’s Island, SMART Crew & more.

Blondey McCoy for Living Proof Radio. Full episode now on the Living Proof patreon. https://www.patreon.com/livingproofnewyork
Blondey McCoy is a British skateboarder and designer who grew up skating at London’s South Bank, a space that played a significant role in shaping his style and way of approaching work.

His work later expanded through a long-running partnership with Adidas, for which he designed a signature sneaker line known for its experimental details and clean, unmistakable aesthetic.

He went on to establish THAMES MMXX., developing it from a personal art project into a full clothing and board company. While the brand carries hints of the city that raised him, its identity ultimately reflects Blondey’s own vision.