Influence is often overstated in skateboarding but Natas Kaupas’ legacy is larger than any one trick, time, graphic, or style because it’s both massive and lowkey. What?
Yeah, after skating for Santa Cruz and starting 101, Natas’ career was curtailed by injury in a time when doctors pretty much told you “tough shit,” so he spent $20,000 on a tricked out Apple computer in the early-‘90s and started designing graphics for skate brands instead.
And who could forget his satanic board that was considered offensive and shocking, even if he didn’t draw it. Fun fact, he partially designed the Jim Thiebaud “hanging Klansman” graphic though.
If none of this makes sense, good. The thing about Natas Kaupas is that nothing ever did in the best way possible, other than how powerful, eclectic, and thoughtful his skateboarding was and still is when he snaps an ollie. Check out the mix below and download it here while you can.
More Mixes? Check out: Heath Kirchart, Bill Strobeck, Blondey McCoy, Louie Lopez, Nora Vasconcellos, Alltimers, Rodrigo TX, Stefan Janoski, Franky Villani, Pass~Port, The 69 Mix, Beagle, LurkNYC, Bam Margera, Mike Arnold, Jason Sallilas, or Kevin Rodrigues.
Related Posts
-
JENKEM MIX LIVE: KYOTA UMEKI AND THE STAR TEAM
After 100+ mixes, we decided to take our mix series up a notch.
-
LISTEN TO ELI REED’S REGGAE & DANCEHALL MIX
An upbeat playlist to get you dancing, no matter how bored, depressed, or dead you are on the inside.
-
JENKEM MIX 146: 454
Florida native and rapper 454 puts the Midas touch on our newest mix.
-
JENKEM MIX 141: MEGAN BALTIMORE
Skateboarding's ultimate 'Girlboss' lends her tastes to curate Jenkem Mix 141
-
JENKEM MIX 113: HUGO BOSERUP
It's weird to think that Hugo's newborn kid will think some of these tracks are "dad music" in the future.
-
JENKEM MIX 96: CHIMA FERGUSON
One to get the Aussie mates fired up.
-
JENKEM MIX 137: CITI BIKE BOYZ
Complete with a curated tracklist denoting what time of the week listening should occur..
-
JENKEM MIX 103: JUSTIN HENRY
Since everyone seems so into what this guy is all about, we figured he'd be a perfect choice to put together a mix for y'all.
Comments
Popular
-
HANGING OUT WITH ANDREW HUBERMAN, SKATEBOARDER TURNED NEUROSCIENTIST
Curious what it would be like to hang with this guy outside of a stuffy podcast studio? Us too.
-
A CHAT WITH LUDVIG HAKANSSON, THE OLDEST SOUL IN SKATEBOARDING
The man loves to read Nietzche, skates in some expensive vintage gear, and paints in his own neoclassical-meets-abstract-expressionist style.
-
LIFE LESSONS FROM BEING A PRO SKATER
"Hopefully this piece will be an opportunity to pull the curtain back on things that too often go unsaid."
-
WHAT’S IN THE BAG… MARCELLO CAMPANELLO
Get a sense of the essential items one might need while hopping AirBnBs and ripping Aperol Spritz.
-
G-FILES 004
Watch the crew of up-and-comers out of the Pacific Northwest laugh their asses off, listen to weird Young Thug remixes, and above all else, skate.
September 10, 2020 8:14 am
Oh man, Marty Robbins. That’s one of my favorite songs (having grown up in West Texas you’d hear it) I had no idea that Natas contributed to Thiebaud’s graphic. How interesting. Don’t know if it’ll happen but I’ve always wondered if Anti hero would run a graphic series done by Natas.
September 10, 2020 5:57 pm
His penmanship is brilliant… ^ also yes Marty Robbins is a legend. Listen to Master’s Call and become a man
September 10, 2020 9:27 pm
kind of a misnomer, possible faux pas: he didn’t ride for santa cruz, he brokered a deal between santa cruz and skip engblom, the owner of santa monica airlines to be distributed by santa cruz when he was 17! anywho, off to listen to the tunes…
September 11, 2020 9:32 pm
Thank you.
February 18, 2021 6:05 pm
He did ride for Santa Cruz.Wheels.His last good part is in Speed Freaks.Typical of you Satan,spreading lies,lol