New Jack: Nyjah Houston
New Jack: Nyjah Houston
By Rob Brink
The Skateboard Mag January 2007
There have been a lot of young skateboarding prodigies over the years, but its safe to say that Nyjah Huston, for his age, is the most accomplished, talented and progressive than those who have preceded him.
In 2005, Nyjah earned the coveted "curtains" slot in Element's Elementaliy Vol. 1 video, nabbed first place at Tampa Am, Am Getting Paid and Goofy vs. Regular—he was 10 years old then. In his 11th year on this planet, he's managed three second place finishes thus far (Global Assault, Panasonic Open and Right Guard Open). Not to mention the Unbridled Spirit Award, a special award given to him by the Kentucky Sports Authority during the Louisville stop of the Dew Action Sports Tour.
Nyjah's been a busy little fella' the last few years, landing himself a handful of impressive sponsors and plenty of those "10 Days with a 10-year-old"-type articles to boot. But, when you're done looking at all those pretty photos, what's it like to actually talk to Nyjah for a while?
Well, he's twelve now, so don't expect him to elaborate on the current state of skateboarding or world affairs, criticize the industry, discuss contracts, partying, cars, bling, professionalism, why he did or didn't stay with company X or company Y, Internet message boards or anything more than the topic of "having fun" and "not worrying about too much."
Through his youth and innocence, Nyjah is more enlightened than most of us. He was born into skateboarding, was virtually raised at a skatepark, possesses a natural gift for skateboarding and spends his days traveling and skating with his family. Add all that together and what do you get? I dunno…but I'm certainly jealous.
Hey Nyjah, how's it goin'?
Greetings! Hey what's up? I'm doing good.
How does it feel winning a large event like Tampa Am?
Back then that felt pretty crazy because I was kinda young. I was surprised to win that. I was feelin' good!
Were you skating around like 'I want to win this!" Or just doing your thing, having fun, and if you win, then you win?
Yea, I definitely want to just do my best—do the best I can and just relax and see how it goes, ya know? Kinda both in a way. But I try not to think of it too much as a big competition because sometimes that will mess you up, ya know?
You've had many big second place wins too…does second place bum you out or do you celebrate it?
The last contest, [Dew Tour Louisville] I was definitely hyped to get second. But that just makes me want to work harder to get first in the next one.
So you like skating in contests then?
Yeah, definitely. Its cool, its fun and it's a challenge.
Compared to street skating, what would you rather do?
I like keepin' it real on the streets and I like mixin' it up in the contests too. But my real roots are on the streets.
You basically grew up at a skatepark…probably a dream for most kids.
Yeah my dad owned a little skatepark and it definitely helped me out so much along the way. I learned so many new things.
How did you feel when it closed down?
I was pretty bummed. We were all pretty bummed. But you gotta just keep working hard and move on and do what you do, ya know?
You started skating when you were five?
Yeah, my pop and older brothers started getting into it and I was just following them and started really getting into it when I was about five. Yeah, I was havin' fun.
What is your earliest memory of skateboarding?
I just remember havin' fun, going to the local skatepark and just rollin' around and feelin' the vibe.
Do you remember the first trick you learned?
We were into tranny. We have a little mini ramp in the backyard that my dad built a few years back. It's pretty cool and I skate it a lot. Just ollieing around on the mini ramp then going to the local skatepark and rolling down the little pyramid dropping in. That's mainly how we started out. But I would think I probably learned an ollie first from my pops and older brothers.
How does it feel having a whole skateboarding family? I think that's something else a lot of kids might wish they had, ya know?
Yeah my whole family supports us so much. It's such a good feeling. My pop still rips. My older brothers and my younger brother skate. I learn new things from my older brothers. We get pumped off each other.
What's your favorite stuff to watch your dad do?
He does a lot of different things. He's really good on the transition. I like watching him do a lot of different things.
You always have someone to skate with, huh?
Definitely. Especially my older brothers, around the house, skatin' with each other and havin' fun. My pop films me or my older brother will come out and skate with me.
When you aren't skating with the family who do you usually skate with?
I'll skate with Karl Watson sometimes. He's such a good influence and a good person. He's actually one of the first pros I met and hooked me up with my first package so it was definitely very tight meeting him.
Yeah, that dude is sick! He's definitely always doin' original tricks. How about your favorite videos?
The Kayo video is definitely my favorite right now. All different types of styles in there.
So far, you've grown up so far very differently than most kids. You are 11 years old and you were homeschooled right?
Yup, I was home schooled and I think it was such a good thing. Going into a real school and traveling around the world like I do would be so hard.
Do you ever wonder what it would be like to be in school with most of the other kids?
Not really. My older brothers go to a school that's kinda more like a real school. I actually think I learned a lot more from just traveling around the world and seeing new things.
I heard that Reese Forbes kinda found you at a Vans skatepark and got you hooked up on Element?
Yeah he did. He definitely helped me out so much and then I started sending in little sponsor-me tapes and stuff. So that was it.
How did that feel to get on one of the biggest skateboard companies ever?
Element is the best company for me right now. I can't even picture myself on any other team. They just got a natural mind and positivity.
Did you feel a lot of pressure having the last part of the Element video?
I was just super hyped and stoked.
Did you know you were gonna get the last part? Or was it a surprise?
I heard a 'lil something before, but man, they definitely hooked it up.
Any plans on going pro soon?
I think somethin' is in the works. But I try not to worry about that too much and just have fun skating.
What's your favorite spot to skate?
I like skating UC Davis, all the Bay area, 3rd and Army…a lot of different spots.
How about your favorite trick to do and one you can't figure out no matter how hard you try?
I like a lot of different tricks…back tails, switch heels, tre flips…so many. To tell you the truth, frontside flips are actually pretty hard for me. Getting the hang of 'em, ya know?
How about something down a big rail or stair set? Are you scared to get hurt? Do you not even think about it when you are approaching it?
I definitely don't try to think of it as getting hurt or scared. I just try to keep a positive mind and focus in.
Do you know you have to get something done in a few tries before your body can't handle it anymore? When do you quit trying something?
I try to keep going as long as I can to tell you the truth. The feeling of rolling away from a trick is just such a good feeling, so it's definitely worth it.
You've never cut your hair?
Ya, I've never cut my hair before.
Not even once?
Nah.
Do you ever plan on cutting it?
Nah, I just wanna keep it natural.
Do you feel it has some special energy or powers to it? Does it help you out?
Since I was young, I just wanted to let my hair grow and keep it natural. That's how I like it.
You have a character in the new Tony Hawk video game?
Yeah I do. Phew. That's such a big honor to be in that with all those great skaters. So thankful to be in that.
Do you ever play it and pick your own character?
We have a few of the older ones and I just pick anybody.
I know you are a busy guy. What are you working on now? éS video? Element video?
Yeah, the éS video is coming up soon. Maybe the end of this year and that's definitely gonna be a big one. I'm just gonna keep on filming for that, mainly just that and Element's making a new video. But the big one right now is the éS video.
You are very into healthy eating, why is this so important to you?
Oh yeah, I definitely like eating healthy and saving the animals. I think everybody should have a positive mind, try to eat healthy and save the Earth.
What do you eat on the average day?
My mom cooks all our food pretty much. She makes so many different things from deserts to good meals. We just try to keep it tofu, beans, rice, oatmeal…proteins ya know? I gotta give props out to my mom right there.
I heard you like basketball a lot, what do you like about it?
Ya, I'm into basketball. We watch it on TV and stuff. We've never been to a real game or anything. We just like to hoop it up at home. I play with my older brother. It's just a fun activity to do, just like skating ya know? I like to keep a good balance. It's fun.
How about traveling? Do you ever get sick of it and just want to go home and relax?
Yeah we definitely like to take a break and chill at home sometimes. But traveling around the world and meeting new people and seeing new places is definitely a fun and good thing to do.
I know you mentioned traveling being able to teach you more than you can learn in school, what has traveling taught you so far?
So many different things. Just meeting new people and experiencing new places. It's hard to describe.
How about when you went to Jamaica with Satori a few years back? I heard it was a really gnarly trip. Ryan Dewitt told me you had to sleep on the beach or in some sketchy hotel and you might have been a little freaked out.
I think I was seven or eight back then. I went with my older brother and my pop. It was my first big trip and such a good experience to go there. Good times. But yeah, that was a crazy night. The first night staying there. We definitely got the feel. Hahaha. But I like Jamaica, ya know?
What was your favorite place to go to so far?
Japan was really cool. Australia was really good for skating. And in the US I really like Denver, Colorado. It's such a good place. The people here are so nice and there are really good skate spots. Good vibes.
What have you learned from your experiences in skateboarding so far?
I mean, just having fun, the challenge of it, how to stay relaxed and doing what you like to do.
What's the greatest memory skateboarding has given you?
So many different things, from landing tricks on the street to doing good in contests and traveling around the world.
What kind of message do you want to spread through skateboarding?
My main advice is just to have fun and just keep skating. Don't rush. Just do what you enjoy doing.
Is there anything you want to do when you grow up besides skateboarding?
I just wanna skate as much as I can and enjoy my life, ya know?
Any closing comments?
I just want to give shouts out to God, Most high Jah Rastafari. My family for helping me out along the way. All my friends. One love. Jah bless, ya know? This is cool. I'm hyped. I was so surprised to hear I'm getting this. It came out of nowhere.
(82) responses to: New Jack: Nyjah Houston
aj said:
Are you sure he's only 12? He sure sounds a lot older. What did he mean by "I was so surprised to hear I’m getting this. It came out of nowhere."Getting what?
mathi said:
I think he means he was surprised to get the interview
mel said:
good job brink!
Devin Taylor said:
Nyjah is such an influence to me,and I may not know him but he is my homey
RAS Randolph said:
Blessed is the child of man. Nyjah is a mighty & positive youth. Respect to the whole Houston Family... One Love.
1
Turner said:
Sup, you are a great skater
mike case said:
hes pretty inspirational, i used to not like seeing him kill rails, cuz hes a little kid, but i have a really high respect for him, cuz it sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders
Billy Hannan, Manuel Vidal said:
you r my favorit skater. you inspire me to get down with skating so keep it up.it is just amazing that someone as small as you can do such big things. well hit me up at my e-mail....peace.
RONNIE CHARLES said:
NYJAH HOUSTON IS GOOD FOR HIS AGE BUT THERE ARE HEAPS OF OTHER SKATERS OUT THERE WHO ARE HEAPS BETTER SKATERS THAN NYJAH HOUSTAN LOOK AT PAUL RODRIGUEZ , RYAN SHECKLER, BASTION SALABANZI, P.J LADD, DANNY WAY AND RICK MCCRANK WHO ARE ALL PROBABLY THE WORLDS BEST SKATERS ECSPECUALLY PAUL RODRIGEUZ. I MEAN YOU DONT SEE NYJAH HOUSTAN JUMPING THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA OR DROPPING OFF THE HARD ROCK CAFE BUT THE BEST SKATER IS PAUL RODRIGUEZ HE KICK ASS............... YEAH
RONNIE CHARLES said:
PAUL RODRIGUEZ IS HEAPS BETTER THAN NYJAH HOUSTON. BUT NYJAH IS THE YOUNGEST SKATER TO EVER GET SPONSERD SO THAT PROBABLY TELLS U THAT NYJAH IS GONNA BE 1 HELL OF A SK8R HE IS ALREADY DOIN 10 SETS IM 14 AND IM ONLY DOIN 6 AND 7 SETS BUT IVE ONLY BEEN SK8TIN SINCE DECEMBER YEAH I NO IM GOOD NO NEED FOR APPLAUSE BUT GO PAUL RODRIGUEZ...................YEAH IM GOOD
Michelle Gordon said:
Nyjah Houston is the best young skater period. As for jumping the Great Wall of China and all of that, give the young brother time and he will. He's accomplished a lot for being a 12 year old, so stop hating on Nyjah and comparing him to older skaters. He's intelligent, down to earth and very humble. High Props to you Nyjah, keep up the good work.
topera brazil said:
vai tudo toma no oi do cu eu ando mais ele e vcs todos juntos pode vim ate ryan sheckler q nao tem pa ninguem!!!!!!!
luis Brazil said:
THe sheckler is more good but, i´m very good and i m the best fuck you !!!!
chocolat said:
whats up mem fuck you mem i m the best!!!!!!
luis,topera,chocolat... Brazil said:
sheckler is the best skater in the world fuck you !!!!
bobby groleau said:
hey wats up dog ya just saying and i think your awsome dude i wish i was like u man im 15 and i love skateboarding well peace out
larry e said:
nyjah houston is the man of men
laio said:
i just noddest nyjah houston i just really like how he skates getting a skateboard from him is my dream and metting him and becoming a great skater like him. i am also twelve and love skateboarding just like he does. i like basketball too.from:laio
laionel said:
I just noddest nyjah houston my only dream is to go skating with nyjah but that's never gonna happen But where i live there's only one skatepark my parents dont khow how to buy the real skateboards i dont have friends that i can skateboard with.I 'am 12 just like nyjah. And i like basketball too. The kids that live around my house are people that are older than me I try to skate with them but their always smoking weed. i hope my dreams come true.
your the best nyjah houston hope to meet you one day
Alex said:
Thank You
aron said:
if u could come to regina would you cuz well im a huge fan i allways play as you in project 8 im just a huge fan but would u come to regina and ya add me articfox_arc95@hotmail.com
PUPUSITO said:
NyJah Bless Up Baby! Sigue Asi Que LLegaras Muy LejOs... Careful And Kiss Kiss
nich miller said:
i love nyjah houston,his hair is so cool!!!!!........he is better than tony hawk.....he is the mother fucken' bomb
mother fuckr' said:
NYJAH HOUSTON IS THE BEST..............BUT IM BETTER AT SKATING THAN U!!!!!! CAN U DO AN IMPOSSIBLE.....YA.......THATS WHAT I THOUGHT!!!!!............................P.S.....GO FUCK UR MOMA....DO IT WELL!!!
jd said:
nyjah is one of the best and he is reppin the dreads jsut like me
Iminsan3 said:
Dang . . I cant even 8 stair yet . . xD . . this fool be poppin shit outa no where , ya know ? :P .
jake n matty said:
hey nyjah we like skate bording and we are a very big fan of u we like how u do your sick griding lol good luck in the mean time :)
jake said:
hey i have watched some of your compations and u are awsome
Brooke said:
hey nyjah your a really good skater and your a really hot skater I cant belive your only 12 im 13 haha and I wanna meet you so freakin bad!! lator hottie!!
n8tivegurl said:
hey nyjah u are freaking awsome and i have to admitt that you are so hot and to me you are every where in my locker in my binder ya know wat i mean
WE LUV U NYJAH HOUSTON
n8tivegurl said:
Nyjah u should come to Arizona luv ya . ya know
brandon jones said:
you got to come to NC! man if you did i would be so happy
im a big fan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nyjal houston
Braxton Banks said:
Hey Nyjah whuzz up! I'm your #1 fan! you rockkkkk!
Im just like you i never want to cut my hair but my mom
makes me cut it! I really like your dreads i really think that
you should keep like that. So how is it back in CA do you
have any skate spots you realy like?
i luv u nyjah said:
ii fukkn luv u dude yur tha best an yur kiyoot t0o hehe yur liik a cupl mnthz oldr hehe letme get them digits hehe yea u inspire me to cuz ii startd skatiin at 8 an ma big brutha taut me anywaiiz u tha bezt mann keep doiin wutchu du luv u dude bii =]]
i luv u nyjah said:
I FUCKIIN LUV U NYJAH LAVON HUSTON =]]
Rashaun Blose said:
hey whatz up dude i think you are the best skater in the world man!!! you think you can sponser me and my friend jamier. were not the best skaters in the world. me and my friend were in( vandergrift thats in pa)and we ollied six stairs ,yeah like i said were not that good yet.oh i just landed a kickflip a couple of days ago.so thats it dude.if you get a chance type back PEACE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
fred said:
ae nijah é foda é o melhor the best boy naum tem pra ninguem atitude rastafari !!
danny said:
man im 12 and i wish ican skate just like him maybe i can become pro
iluvnyjahlavonhuston said:
DAM YUR THA FUKKIIN BESS DUDE!!! YUR HELLUH FUKKIIN FINE T00 HAHA DAM IF II CAN ONLII MEET U =]] YEA IIM A FINE ASS BICH MASELF BUH LYKK II SAIID IIF II CAN ONLII MEET U
Nyjah's Fan said:
Man Im 12 And Y Bearly Can Doy Flip'z, Kickflip's, Grinds,
etc..."Ya know"
dwayne said:
u rock skateboarding ya know what i mean
Danny said:
I'm confused. I don't really know him, but he seems like a good skata. I don't really skate, or am that intruiged with the sport itself. I'm jus' curious as to why him wearin' the rasta clothes, and carryin' on with jah this an' jah that. Are any of his parents Jamaican? Does he have any ties to JAM? A couple of my friends were talkin' to me bout this kid an' I was curious. If anyone can help, I would be grateful. Walk good., Thank you,
Zing said:
I think he is sooo sexi and very talented
syrus said:
when you were in tony hawks projects 8 how did you feel being in side of it my brother wants to know how old you are
tristin said:
im a big fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tristin said:
where do you skate at
luis clarke said:
nigha houston is the best ponk+
kevin said:
how do you do the ollie,kickflip,hellflip,and allyour other tricks.
jeff said:
well we should play a game of skate some realy
kevin said:
jeff you suck
kevin said:
my brother said that he forgot to put his name instead
E-Rock said:
I wish I was Nyjah. He's like God or something.
Luis C said:
NYGHA IS THE BEST I'M 12 TOO.I'M TRYING TO GROW TREDS TOO I CAN ONLY KICK4 SETS TOO.HALA AT YOU LATER****************************************************
Luis CLARKE said:
A MAN I WISH YOU WAS MY BROTHER.A DON'T HATE PUNKS****************NYGHA HUSTON ALL DAY
levelkl dawson said:
loving ur skating keep it up
TOP SKATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
levell dawson said:
I LOVE UR SKATE VIDEOS
Skater M said:
Hey Hommie Ya my Favorite sk8er hey come down to San Diego sum time i wanna c ya sk8
aight Late
-sk8er m
alex lapenson said:
I love nyjah he inspired me to keep skating and people doubted me but I watched this is my element an to be 1year younger than me an be the best in the video,in my oppinon, is just absolutly inspiring. love the interview keep um coming, nss p3c3 out p.s nyjah should get his own show on vh1 hahahahaha by street sk8er alex
alex said:
u the best skater ever sheler sucks haha ohhhh question are u jamaican
Luis CLARKE said:
a NYJAH what's up it's me again I just wanted to say keep it up ur my number#1 sk8ter come by sometime if you could it's pico/redondo I always sk8 in the front i wear black t'shirts
Parker said:
He is my biggest influence in skating, and in ways of life. His spirituality and devotion to what he loves lifts me. Props to ya braw.
Parker said:
you skated a little while back in Tualatin Oregon at a little park with the element team. I know the people around here would be stoked if you did that again. Any way, peace man.
Christian said:
your the best in element and any other skater
CM said:
i THINK YOU ARE THE BEST IN POP SHOVE IT'S
nquan said:
dood u freakin rock man i got u on my tony hawk proving ground game all i play with is u yur freakin raw u leeve people lookin like this when u get don wit cho tricks =()h my god did he reely do dat. rock on nyjah
julian said:
thinking like him at his age is incredible...
the way to consider his hair for example...
I think he understands things that a lot of of adult people can't understand.. he developpes a kind of maturity...
and he is a fucking good skater!
Mr. N said:
Major props to Nyjah, you rock. All u haters are lame-wads who cant skate. :D
your mum said:
They be some awesome grinding photos in the interview
your mum said:
Stuff all the haters, those guys are lamewads who cant skate. Nyjah is awesome
your mum said:
omfg mother fuckr' is officially a douche!
billybob joe the secon said:
omg I am on tv hi everybody ....see ya late aligator in a while crcidile
Frankie said:
Hey nice going at the Malloof money cup I saw your awseome tricks and thanks for the autograph
Frankie said:
I am your number one fan man I love your tricks at the Maloof Money Cup and when would you come and skate Costa Mesa
Ryan said:
nyjah is a natural born ripper. no doubt about it, he'll be around for a long time, he's prime for life.
paige johnson said:
Nyjah Huston is so HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
paige johnson said:
Nyjah is 13 or 14 NOW
ass face said:
sup bro how has your skateboarding gonig geee??????
dog face said:
sup gee wat board u skatin now
ryan sheckler said:
you suck my balls i am a beter skater than you
loser said:
ur a loser u homo
yo ge said:
yo fags sucks my balls yous uglys stevo go fuck yourself bitch!!!!!!!! cunt face you ugly
Danny Way said:
u suck nuts Nhyja
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