Skate Away Post-Election Woes with BSC's Monthly Cruising Pick (November)

Dear BSC Family,  In March I moved to Nairobi, Kenya and it was a life changing experience. Upon returning to the USA, I was faced with the reality of a potentially dismal four years- though I am hopeful. Skate to clear your mind and organize to take control of your future. - Peace, BSC 
Skateboarding enhances your overall physical, mental and social health. The addition of music makes skating even more enjoyable. We're introducing the "BSC Monthly Cruising Picks," songs from artists incorporating elements of skateboarding in their music videos. Skate away the stress of post-election woes with the ethereal and tranquil vibes of  "Taboo (Taabu)" by Phy. 

Reppin the 254 (Kenya), Phy's music is a mixture of Afropop, RnB, Soul and Hip-hop. In an interview with HapaKenya, Phy explained the story behind "Taboo" off her debut album "Phylosophy," 

"I wrote taboo two years ago as an assignment is a music class. I was dating someone at the time but i was a bit of confused. I think everyone goes through it sometime, even married people. You might be in a loving committed relationship but still find other people interesting." 

(HapaKenya, Phy on Life, Music and the Story Behind Taboo, October 2016)


Phy's Facebook Page (2016)

 Listen to Phy sing about the "taabu" ( meaning "trouble" in Kiswahili) of love, plus see some clips of skaters at the Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi. 

Check out more of Phy's music at here


South African Skateboarding Short 'Dropping In' Premieres at Sundance Film Festival

Dropping In, 2015
The skateboarding oriented short Dropping In was selected among five winners for the coveted title of 2015 Sundance Film Challenge Winner, out of over 1,000 submissions. Inspired by true events, Dropping In follows the coming-of-age journey of Sam (Sam Masuku), an informal settlement dwelling youth in South Africa who is taken under the wing of a skateboard park owner, Marcus (Damiane van Reenen). Marcus soon becomes Sam’s skating coach and mentor.

The film was inspired by the story of a Jeffreys Bay (the heart of South Africa surfing) surfer who conquered the vices of drugs through finding his calling in surfing. Following this unorthodox path, the surfer changed the lives of locals and helped pave the careers of current South African surfers. In Between 10and5, Willem van den Heever (Dropping In writer, producer, editor and director) said this man, “didn’t only teach tourists and holiday goers how to surf, but also some of the kids on the street. His aim was to help them invest their energy into something positive. And this is how some of the street kids have winded up as professional surfers, surfing for South Africa today”(Between 10and5, 2015). the film, Sam too goes through the process of overcoming his troubles through skateboarding. 

Watch the full short Dropping In *contains strong language*


In a RYOT Interview, van den Heever said, “as a young South African coming out of school, you only have a few choices because I think South Africa is a bit conservative when it comes to your job and what you’re going to study..so things like studying art, or film or anything alternative except for the norm like science or economics, is really way out” (RYOT, 2015). 

How many of you chose/are choosing to go against the norm in your studies or careers? How was it influences by action sports? Or the arts...etc?
Let’s weigh in BSC readers!

Follow @Willemdafilm on Twitter to let him know your thoughts on Dropping In
Remember to Follow @BLACKSK8ERCHICK on Twitter.

 Check Out the 2015 Sundance Film Challenge Winners Here

Black Snowboarder Chick: Gabrielle 'Gabby' Maiden X Black & Sexy TV

Hello Black Skater Chick family, you know its been a while...I have no excuses...please forgive me...it's real in these street...haha! Seriously, I did miss all of you and in 2015 I'll be on top of stuff! Sunday night, the universes of my favorite Black Snowboarder Chick and the web series Black & Sexy TV merged into a conglomeration of awesomeness and  I just had to return from this hiatus to tell you all about it. 




SEXLESS is a new web series produced by the stellar Black & Sexy TV. The series created by Leah Williams, Ester Weithers and Numa Perrier (one of the extremely talented co-founders of Black & Sexy TV) follows the lives of four young women as they battle through the tidal waves of sexlessness in their relationships. Black & Sexy TV released yet another teaser minisode leading up to the series premiere on Valentine's Day. SEXLESS Minisode 3 follows the life of Farrah. 

Black Snowboarder Chick, model and actress Gabrielle"Gabby"Maiden  plays Farrah, the quintessential "tomboy-homegirl." Based on the sneak peak Farrah is fond of her male friend but he remains oblivious, so she is ultimately "friend zoned." 

Check out the Minisode below.

SEXLESS"Farrah" Minisode 3 Ft. Gabby Maiden
Who is Gabby Maiden?

When asked about her motivation for snowboarding in OnBoard Mag Gabby said, "It gives me the chance to be a role model for many girls and to try to progress women snowboarding in my own way." (OnBoard Mag, 2010)
Gabby is regarded as the First African American Woman of Competitive Snowboarding both nationally and internationally. A native to California, Gabby started snowboarding at 12 years old, however acting was always one of her dreams (Gang of Hope, 2009). Although snowboarding happened spontaneously she grew to love it. Gabby is a  member of Nikita, one of the few women's snowboarding companies and teams. 

In the same interview, Gabby explained that she never experienced discrimination in the snowboarding community: 
"When I started snowboarding I defiantly wasn’t thinking about that I'm a girl learning how to shred, I was more thinking about the fact that I was one of the only African American girls trying. I was SUPER shy as a kid, I felt like I had to prove myself a bit more. I knew that I didn’t have to prove myself to anyone as a snowboarder, but subconsciously my standards were set pretty high. I never was discriminated in any way. Nothing but rad people around me stoked to shred and had fun doing it." (OnBoard Mag, 2010)


Gabby Shredding Up Brighton


 Afropunk Royalty? 
Not only is Gabby a self-proclaimed "ukulele enthusiast," but she is also  Afropunk Royalty, like real Afropunk Royalty. Her father, Tony Maiden, is the legendary lead guitarist and singer of Rufus ft. Chaka Khan. Plus, she fearlessly sports her uber chic afro coiffure when snowboarding. 

 Gabby has transformed the space of snowboarding by encouraging young women of color to enter this environment through her representation. I remember growing up seeing Gabby in snowboarding and skateboarding magazine ads and videos amazed at her trailblazing despite being so young. So let's support our sister in her acting endeavours. I hope Farrah has a skateboarding or snowboarding scene in this series.  


Let's Give Gabby a Shout Out!
Instagram:@Gabbymaiden
Let Black & Sexy TV know what you think about Farrah and that you LOVE Gabby.
Subscribe on Youtube: youtube.com/blackandsexytv
Twitter & Instagram:@BlackandSexyTV
Facebook:facebook.com/Black and Sexy TV
Twitter:@SexlessSeries #SexlessSeries

Remember to cozy up for the premiere of SEXLESS on  February 14 with some snacks and friends! Also check out "That Guy" one of my other favorite series from Black and Sexy TV.