I worked across the street from Pier 7 in the late 90s - used to watch this guy during smoke breaks. Didn't know who he was, but I remember thinking he should be famous. Glad he made it.

ALL DAY!

Stevie is a legend. Period. There used to be a time when the other black kids gave me the most shit for riding a skateboard and "trying to be white." Naturally, me and my homies looked up to Stevie, Ray, Gershon, Keenan, Clyde, and others with the utmost respect because they made it doing what they "weren't supposed to be doing." I gotta say out of all the activities/hobbies I have been involved in, skateboarding has been the most welcoming in terms of diversity.

"like she ain't comin to California, she can't even afford to get here" lmao

Respect he real he made it out the struggle

I know stevie probably may never come across my comment, but damn, I don't even know this guy and I'm proud of him. Your story is inspirational brother. Continue showing people, showing your community, showing everyone that things can change in your life, and you can always better yourself no matter what stage you are at in life. It's people like you, that keep me going and motivated. I love to see people succeed and I love when I see people going after what they want in life...Much success to you brother. cheers

That single mindedness,fierce determination and drive this young man has is inspirational. He would no doubt have been a success in any field he chose. Good story VICE.

Skateboarding accepted me more then my own family and so called normal everyday friends💯.I was never told I couldn't hang around cause I was black. As a kid I was more encourage to skate because it was a rare thing to see a black person skate so I was praised and to this day I can still call these same people and talk to them to this day like nothing ever happened I can't even call family like that lol smh I even went through the so called black people don't skate thats for white people ridicule period and survived. When the black community said your not one of us it was hurting as a young black teen growing up smh.I saw more racial barriers conquered in skateboarding then I have in normal society 💯. If anything I thank Stevie for doing this and showing some that you can think outside of the box and you don't have to play basketball and run track to make an honest living 🔥🔥💥💥💯💯👊👊

I'll never forget him at Vans Skatepark at the Bloc when I was 8 years old, like 1998/1999. signed my first deck and still skating now over ten years later

I used to always pick my nigga Stevie in Tony Hawk games.

the iverson of street skate

It's weird..... but the sounds of skateboard tricks is soothing in a way and I'm not even a skateboarder, if that makes any sense.

This goes to show that hard work and perseverance pays off in the end. It would of been easy for Stevie to do dirt to make ends meet, but he went the honorable route. He worked his ass off. He stayed true to himself and the people around him. He got what he deserves....success.

met him the other day, he's cool as hell

Skateboarding culture is awesome and promotes not following the rules. Just think if Stevie listened to everyone around him? He probably would've followed everyone into basketball and never touched a skateboard as he states in the video. Instead he contributed in a big way by creating something new and unique. Everyone should live their lives like that. Break the mold!

I first saw him in the chocolate vid growing up (I'm 30 now), and being black he inspired me to stake despite what people's said about being black and skateboarding. Much respect !

DGK influenced the under develop[ed culture of black skating to a point where it became acceptable for black kids to skate and not be ridiculed by others for not playing a "regular sport" that black people are suppose to be good at. mostly form other black people. I know for me, i started skating before DGK made it back over to the east coast and once it did i know i felt like a validation almost for what i was doing at the time in skateboarding. hell still known around my town for being the first black kid on a board that could hang with the best. #goskateboardday #DGKALLDAY

he is crazy good even in the 90s he was killing it

You can see the growth in this dude..Happy for homie!!

Im born and raised in SF. This some real city shit right here. The city is dying tho. All those spots have practically been made to be unskateable. They gentrifying the whole city. Fuck all these tech companies and politicians who allowing this to happen.

You know it was 2000's when you see this dudes pants and T-shirts

Stevie shows mad class and veteran insight here. I wish more skaters elaborate on individual styles like he somewhat began to touch.

I remember watching Stevie Williams in the DC video when I was 9, his style was so original and inspiring. Can’t forget the prolonged FS pop-shuv to catching mid-air with a late FS 180. Truly didn’t understand how that was possible as a little kid lol

Stevie has one of the best styles of skating ever. Living legend.

if anyone ever has the pleasure of watching stevie skate in person , thank god for it. He invented the lazy/effortless style along with more pop than you could ever imagine

I remember cutting school to hit love park in the early 90's. We'd go to the Roy Rogers under city hall, and sometimes a very young Stevie would show up with rasoul, 40 etc, and we'd end up sharing our food with them. They were always cool with us, even though love could be sketchy back then. Big up for living your dream man. Pride of philly!

didnt like DGK for years, just because of the name. but now i have a whole new respect. dont judge a book by its cover

Baggy jeans, Wu-Tang t-shirts... missing the 90s.

Str8 up inspirational, from the soul... One love

So good!! I met Stevie back in the late 90's SF days. Super friendly, always killing it ... Wish we could get a new part from Stevie.

I remember getting laughed at for wearing his shoe cuz it looked like a basketball shoes and all my punk rock friends hated, till I started doing front side flips switch over stuff and all of them were like where u learn that. I said stevie period.

Met this brother in ATL. He is one of the warmest, sincere and solid cats you could ever meet. Salutes to you Stevie Williams; Peace*Love*Power. DGK All Day!

Stevie Williams is my favorite skater of all times as well as daweon song and Rodney Mullen and his past is so unique I think that's what makes him such a cool skater

This is the true meaning of following your dreams. Much love n respect to Stevie! He always has been and will be that dude!

I remember seeing Stevie skatin at Love Park in '93-'94. Haven't rode on a board in years but man, I sure miss do those days 😄

I can remember being about 9 years old thumbing through my first ever skateboard mag. There was a photo of stevie kickflipping off a bump kicker in the sidewalk, at the time I knew nothing about skating and I STARED at that picture for an eternity, trying to figure it out, how did he get up that high...what's his board doing... it wasn't even touching his feet...whats a kickflip? That's the first time I can remember feeling infatuated with the sport. Still am, and still a skater at 31. You're a legend Stevie.

damn being fifteen getting dropped off in the tenderloin..and it turns out dope..this guy must be the most successful ex tenderloin resident ever

Stevie Williams always reminds me of the days when I first started skating back in the early 2000's.... Agh... Goodtimes man, goodtimes

DGK All Day! Respect to Stevie Williams!

The first pro board I ever got was a dgk Stevie Williams. Ill always love this man.

This made me very sad. The way he talked about not being interested in skateboarding anymore. He seems sad. Success is often bittersweet. Draws you away from the things you enjoy in the momment

God Bless the people that gave these dudes a place to lay their heads. A lot of talent out there!

been a fan since the original 411 spotlight with lord of the underground. big ups from D.C. health and prosperity!

Much respect to a man that lives through adversity to become a better man.

you can stay at my house.....cool....btw, I'm homeless....wtf

He was my idol skater when I was growing up, congrats to you Stevie W

I grew up with the stuggles he is talkin bout homelessness, jail, felony charges drugs all that, I'm considered an OG skater around my town. I looked up to STEVIE WILLIAMS and saw his struggle and used his influence to get through all these struggles. I was going places but the stuggle kept up but I never laid my board down and i'm still out here crusin. DIRTY GHETTO KIDS..DGKallDAY #HAGGARDSKATEKREW/Facebook

Man this is like my favorite video right now! Every time it plays I cant change it. That hustle. So inspiring.

he is the reason I attempted to skate lol. I'm a big fan even though I don't skate bc that is a tough thing to do.

Been a skater for 20yrs now.. always loved this man when he's on the board.

looks exactly like freddie gibbs

Stevie! Always confident but filled with humility... got the chance to see him at a party on a Supra Manila Tour and was psyched to just be there. Respect to the man!

I knew about DGK, but I never knew what it stood for. Good story!

10:29 honestly thats so true. the tricks you do and combos you think of reflect personality. like if you doin bonelesses and primo flips that says so much about you

This was really inspiring! It makes me want to get my dreams out there and make it happen!

GREAT story. Love the hustle and the hard work... kudos DGK and the Philly-Frisco connection!

damn... switch heel fakie nose manny fakie hardflip out... damn

37 now and was a great street skater, now my son's want me to come out and show the neighborhood kids! God damn feels great! 20+ years off the board but they think what I can do is amazing. Love it 100% and feels good just like riding a bike

He left out the part that Josh Kalis basically gave him his shot.

I remember watching Stevie WIlliams' skate tapes growing up when I was younger. He was always my favorite skater because he stood out amongst the rest, he had that originality he was talking about. I would say what made him so original was his rawness. He was the type of skater that completed insane tricks/combination of tricks so cleanly, in a fearless confident manner like no other. I always wondered what it was that made him so good. Very glad to hear some of his upbringing in this great share, good job Vice!

Freddie Gibbs can skate?

I miss my old life. I'm a life style specialist.

I met Stevie just as he arrived in the city. At 12 years old, I used to bus into the city on weekends with my friends. Stevie bummed a smoke from me at Pier 7. I remember being so excited to meet him. I was a huge fan of his from that 411VM part, I think it was video 8 or 9. That was kinda a highlight for me as a young kid of only 12, running into Stevie at Pier 7 and him asking me for a smoke. I also was friends with Pat for some time as I was recognizable to him weekend after weekend. I’d give him my fries from Carl’s Jr. I remember he’d stuff them into the side of his cheek and like save them there. I had no clue these guys were homeless chasing dreams. None. I thought they were pros getting paid. I hung out at Pier 7 every weekend basically from 94 to 97ish. We’d skate mini hubs a lot. But he’s right, 94 EMB became a bust overnight. :( I only saw Stevie maybe one other time. Karl I spoke to on the phone at FTC. He had Joey or Andy put me on the phone. I had just bought his last deck when he called in to reserve it. He told me he was stoked I bought it, come skate at the Pier. So I did. That was pretty cool too. When Karl was on Profile, one of my buddies jumped into the bay to get a board Karl threw into the water. I used to buy decks from Ben Sanchez or Mike York. Henry sold me a deck once too. Kids used to buy used decks from all the guys down there. I wish I had spent more time there than I did. I used to bus up to Ft. Miley, hit Wallenberg, bomb from Haight after stopping into FTC, down to DLX store, then skate markets all the way to P7. Very fun time in life that improved my skating. I was also at Santa Rosa park a lot too back then skating with Tony Trujillo. Probably should’ve put more time in in the city, and man I put a lot of time in there! Remember a Back to the Bay contest that Mike Carroll won on his bday probably in 96ish. All the FTC guys were there. I’d give anything for those times again.

Everyone who experiences starvation and homelessness can be a powerful politician.

Stevie has always been my 2nd favorite skater, he is one of the best!

"lifestyle specialist".

I remember smoking a blunt with him and kareem in montreal back in 98 I enjoyed that moment. Very good people!I will never forget it.Kareem told me to stay like i was,a real dude.And i did!

I miss Epicly Later'd :/

stevie williams if u read this thank you for your contributions to skateboarding and not giving up man huge fan DGK all day

everybody laughed at this nigga , URBAN SKATING lmao in the early 2000s no one fucked with it but now DGK bigger than any other skate company LONG LIVE STEVIE

I feel like even people that don’t skate need to see this just hear the part where he talks about not doing what’s popular or accepted by your friends, family, race or culture and pursuing what lies in your heart regardless of circumstance. People don’t believe in themselves as much these days because how much influence there is in the world. Like he said, back then word got around by mouth not text. Mad respect to to Stevie for leaving such a well deserved foot print in the history and culture of skateboarding.

Gawd dayum those Manuel combos

I love stevies humbleness. The guy truely is real. My fav skater

every street skater i knew that was trying to make it couch surfed and smoked weed in the mid 90s. living day to day looking for that trick that would bring them to the next level

Man I seeing Stevie skate when I was like… 12 and getting his pro DC’s not long after. So smooth.

When did Andrew Mccutchen start skating?

I met dude at a Kayo signing back in 07 in Glendale Galleria in California. Chill ass dude HIGH AF TOO.. Random af im from Tuc, Az. Was shopping at a store and came across a flyrt saying meet Stevie @ 3:00 P.M. needless to say I left the store and got in line instantly!! Still have his autograph!!

i still remember his special trick from tony hawks project 8 haha

A Senegalese friend told me when a person interests you it's always good to understand where they're coming from and more importantly their format. Usually by analyzing their youtube interview in depth presentation of their journey helps you to appreciate that person's music.Poetry In Motion!

News Flash; So h'es the owner of DGK(Dirty Ghetto Kids). Now i'm going to support my black brother's fashion attire garment investment.

I remember when his shoes first came out. in like 2001, i could only afford shoes once a year. Became one of my fav skate shoes. I still have the keychain it came with. Once I saw he had new ones out with that style i was so stoked I got them again and 2 more pairs haha

Being a celebrity and being a degenerate aren't mutually exclusive.

Crazy. I live above the TL laundromat next door to his building and grew up with Steve..I was younger but always kept up with them when I could..much love Steve it’s steezy

fuck yeah I love this

So much Respect for Stevie Williams. FOR THOSE WHO CAME FROM NOTHIN DGK ALL DAY.

His bottom lip looks like a succulent scallop.

Stevie seems dope as hell. Super inspiring story, dude should write a book or something. While he's real rags to riches, simultaneously he shows there's some real genuine longing for his old life, or maybe just some of the genuine joy and excitement he used to be able to get skating. I don't know if that's just cause being who he is now he doesn't have time for that lifestyle anymore or if he's really just no longer able to enjoy it the same way but it would be really interesting to hear him go further into what he misses from his former life and what he would've done differently looking back.

if he wasnt on tony hawk pro skater he isnt shiiiiii

I remember buying my 1st completed DGK board by Stevie. Had DGK all blinged out. Had them red and black thunder trucks. I forgot the wheels but man that board was special to me. Got it for 80 bucks at a local school fair. “Dirty Ghetto Kids” 💯💯💯

I had his first dc shoes people were on my d when I had them

Salute to the legend...i was watching his DGK and DC videos back in 2009.

man I'm mad happy for the homie Stevie, he's a stellar example through and through, peace!

Most of the footage is taken from a video called REASON. remember i had on repeat on VHS. Long live stevie

His first statement is so profound. Some of the best times of our lives are when we are being careless, carefree, and just going with the madness. He says being a degenerate, but it is so much deeper than that.

I met Stevie Williams at Mr Goodbar in Sydney around 2001. Drank with him all night without knowing who he was, didn't really matter to me, was a super nice guy.. Next day my skater friends couldn't believe i was kicking it with him,, Why? He's a super nice guy, maybe because i didn't fame bomb him.. PEAS !!!

Man that's so awesome. He really did a trick that no one else has done. That's so badass

Mad respect. Got a poster of this man on my wall hard flipping to front nose slide

Kick ass vid! Used to love boarding when I was a kid. The way how he describes how each person's style is different. It reminds me of how figure skaters or gymnasts do their tricks differently. Different approach, transitions, grace, height, length, landing. All unique to each athlete.

Love your story, Stevie. I've always had WICKED respect for you. You're a real inspiration, my brother. You sincerely deserve all that you have made for yourself. Big ups!!!

Stevie just be yourself..nothing else matters be happy ..much luv