The Disruptors: Wallid is the emerging skateboarder playing by his own rules
Skateboarding has always involved a certain degree of rebelliousness, so it’s lucky that emerging skateboarder Wallid isn’t one playing by the rules. And when not on his board he can be found flexing his creative muscles working with Patta, out photographing his fellow Londoners and occasionally directing music videos. We caught up with the rising skate star to find out who he sees as the ultimate rebel, and why his Mum still calls the shots when it comes to dinner time…
Why do you think skate culture has always been seen as rebellious?
The more fun things in life (sometimes) get you in the most trouble. With skating trying to have the most fun possible isn’t what the public want, so there’s a lot of ducking and diving going on. With that being said a big part of skating is the indirect competition we all have with each other, all trying to do that trick no one else can in a place only the hardest skaters skate. And if it means jumping off however many stairs and getting ripped by security guess it’s just part of the process.
What advice would you give someone looking to go against the grain?
Breaking tradition is never a popular opinion, so you’ve got to make sure you’re confident in how you’re stepping and where you’re going to, because if you can’t believe in your own visions then the effort isn’t going to get you there.
What’s the biggest rule you’ve ever broken?
Being on time for my Mum’s dinners is probably the biggest rule I’ve ever broken and still break. The lecture I get and having to eat reheated food isn’t the one but it’s a sacrifice to skate that bit longer. It’s a silly one but I’ve got to be real.
Who is the ultimate rebel to you? Why?
When I think of a rebel I have my own definition for it, and that’s someone that stands up for their integrity, because nowadays it feels like you’re given a choice to what opinion you can have and that’s just some biased shit. That’s why I’m going have to say my guy Khabib (Nurmagomedov). I think what he did after his fight showed us that rules have no physical barrier!
What does skating mean to you?
I’m going to try and not sound clichè for this one but skating is really that one thing in my life that lets me relax and enjoy my time the way I want to. I’ve been skating through the best times in my life and it’s helped me push through some dark times which has only made me love it even more. It’s got to that point even if I have a shit session it’s a million times better than no session.
Why do you think London skate culture differs from other cities?
Every city around the world is different and that’s because every environment isn’t inch for inch the same. I haven’t travelled around the world as much as I’d like to so I can’t compare it in much depth but I can definitely say that, because of the people in this city all the way to how our pavements and roads are made, there’s a bigger sense of exploration and being first which makes this fast city a little bit more fast for us.
How do you feel that London and its culture has influenced your style and attitude?
In terms of style, London’s made me find that bridge between being comfy in my garms and not looking like a sleeping bag. There’s a lot of trends that come and go and I’m trying to dodge the word bootcuts getting thrown, at the same time I’m looking for whichever piece of clothing I’m going to finesse my skating in.
But skating is all about adapting and I think that growing up where I did really let me express how I am. Because of that I think it’s pushed me to believe that I can be my own person and that’s something nobody but myself can take away.
Wallid wears the Nike Tn in the OG Sunset colourway, available from 24th November on nike.com
