MIKE HERNANDEZ: One of Skateboarding’s Finest
Growing up during the height of NYC’s urban flight, the chance of a young kid from some of the roughest streets of the South Bronx finding skateboarding was as likely as 3 white Jewish dudes becoming a rap sensation. Mike Hernandez and Skateboarding collided in the mid 80s during the evolution of hip hop, hard-core, graffiti and street skateboarding. His skills and personality exemplified the attraction that was NYC when the scene took over in the 90s, and he became one of the cities first pros along with Keith Hufnagel, Keenan Milton and other trailblazers. He’s a major part of the NYC skateboard revolution, and continues to roll through the streets on his bike with the same vigor that he had on his board years ago. I’m proud to have met him three decades ago and he is one of my most respected and closest friends. From Skateboarding to cycling to firefighting for the FDNY, Mike is a beast. Raise a glass to my man and an NYC legend. – Jefferson Pang
Crazy NYC kids shot. Photographer Tobin Yelland convinced me to do something “athletic” for a commercial he was looking to get as a director.. end result was actually better than him getting the commercial
American Dream ad. First advertisement into the ranks as a pro–not sure what the hell I was thinking at that point. The company, its symbolism, ethnic team composition was ahead of its time. Photo: Dimitry
Big Brother Magazine VANS campaign. Photo: Dimitry
Slap Mag new kid checkout. Photo: Gabe Morford
ZOO YORK AD- Probably the very first full-page Zoo York ad. SLAP magazine circa 93/94
Transworld Mags “New York Minute” compliments of Geo Reda
INFAMOUS Advertisement. Short-lived, and somewhat obscure company I skated for toward, the end of the end INFAMOUS
Random Blue Light Wheel company advertisement
SLAP Mag Shot. Such a classy shot by a solid dude who always gave the NYC kids a shot at fame. Photo: Gabe Morford
