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On The Scene: EP John Legend Celebrates the Premiere of HBO’s ‘United Skates’

by Parris Rose
by Parris Rose 0 comments

Executive producer, John Legend joined forces with filmmakers Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown to celebrate roller skating, the underground phenomenon in African American culture.

America’s last skating rinks have been threatened with closure leaving a community of thousands hurt, shocked and displaced but not discouraged. On February 6th cast, crew and guests celebrated the premiere of United Skates which documents this beautiful subculture and the individuals fighting to keep it alive!

Many people, including myself are unaware of the positive impact roller skating has on the youth and adults that partake in this historical subculture. While skating is fun, it means more than just a good time. Film subject and lifelong skater, Darius “D-Breeze” Stroud believes, “skating isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life.”

Skating brings communities together, creating a sense of family and a strong bond. Subjects of the film describe the unity and connection they feel with others while out on the rink as well as the freedom of expression that is allowed while skating. Custom skates aren’t the exception, it’s almost the rule. From dress shoes to Timbs to bowling shoes, your skates allow you to keep your individuality.

Similar to jazz, before hip hop culture was widely accepted by the masses, hip hop artists turned to skating rinks to perform and feel welcomed. The Skate Depot in Los Angeles, CA was home to many top artists in the music industry such as Salt-N-Pepa, Dr. Dre and even Queen Latifah became “Queen” after her debut performance at the rink. Salt recalls the pressure they [Salt-N-Pepa] felt performing at a rink because it was obvious that the people came to skate, so having to stop the music and clear the floor meant that they had to kill it, and they did! However, despite all the joy, love, culture, and fun that comes with the roller-skating experience follows an unfortunate ignorance and at times blatant racism that puts the future of skating at risk.

Film subject, Shannon Wright expresses how the closing of skating rinks all over the United States has affected him; “I feel like I’m caged in my feelings and I can’t get them out.” Skating has always been an outlet for the young teen and a means of staying out of trouble. The feeling of being unwanted has been apparent for many of the families that have just been trying to look for a place to skate and let loose. Finding new ways to segregate African American skaters, rink owners started making certain nights for black skaters such as “soul night,” “urban night,” and finally “adult night,” which seemed to stick. However, more and more rules started to be implemented that were targeted at a certain kind of people, black people. Pete Russell, an owner of a custom skate facility in Los Angeles explains how the rules started to say, no rap or r&b music, no headphones, no skating backwards or linked, to which Russell had only one reply, “why not?”

HBO’s Los Angeles premiere of United Skates was held at the historic Avalon Hollywood in Hollywood, CA and even in such a large venue, the feeling of community and unity was so strong. Celebrities such as John Legend, Salt-N- Pepa, Raz B, Lilan Bowden, Corey Hawkins and more came out to show support and watch the profound documentary. As the film wrapped several skaters took to the stage to showcase their incredible talent, and this time, to music they enjoyed! Guests mixed and mingled all night as we munched on a variety of delicious hors d’ oeuvres and washed it down with a drink of your choice. One thing was clear in the end, these lifelong skaters will not go down without a fight and this documentary certainly conveys the power and light that comes with the skating culture. They don’t skate, they roll!

Check out our exclusive red carpet interviews below:

Be sure to check out the incredible documentary airing on HBO on February 18th.

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