NAQUAN ROLLINGS

I met Naquan for this interview on the corner of 7th street and Avenue C.

This is not a particularly quiet part of town. In New York City, no part of town is a particularly quiet part of town, and our interview, which took place on the stoop of some church or office building or whatever, was frequently interrupted by rolling skateboards, UPS delivery persons, construction, and frequent street screamers. While I jumped and glanced at every distraction, Naquan was unbothered. It was striking to me how unbothered he was at the noise and circumstance. Naquan was and is calm, cool, confident, observant. Just like his videos. Just like his photos. 

Our favorite skate filmer is not stoic. There is an enormous amount of optimism in his disposition and his creative output. There is fun and joy and laughter, but there is also screaming and frustration and blood. His is a perspective not easily moved or shaken, and is more thoughtful than most, which you can hear in his voice and read in these words. Naquan’s a thinker. This is the third introduction for a Naquan Rollings piece I’ve had to write, and I’m not complaining, but it’s getting harder. I feel as though I’ve laid too much praise in the last three years, but we’re fans, and there’s a reason he’s in this issue. Again. It’s because he deserves to be.