Tributes Pour In For Thrasher Editor & Skateboard Legend Jake Phelps

San Francisco, CA – Thrasher Skateboarding Magazine’s longtime Editor-In-Chief Jake Phelps died all of a sudden on Thursday (March 14) at 56.

Thrasher co-founder Tony Vitello broke the information in a prolonged Instagram put up and eloquently touched on Phelp’s legacy.

“Jake Phelps was 100% skateboarder, however that label sells him means too quick, as a result of past his monumental affect in our world, he was really a person past this world,” Vitello wrote partially. “When family members cross we typically mythologize about their full lives wealthy in friendships and experiences.

“Typically we have to discuss ourselves into believing all of it. It makes us really feel higher, and helps us address the loss. Properly, within the case Jake, the duty turns into wrapping your head round simply what number of lives one individual may probably dwell. He actually did see all of it, do all of it, and that unbelievable mind his may relish each final element.”

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Jake Phelps was 100% skateboarder, but that label sells him way too short, because beyond his enormous influence in our world, he was truly an individual beyond this world. When loved ones pass we sometimes mythologize about their full lives rich in friendships and experiences. Sometimes we need to talk ourselves into believing it all. It makes us feel better, and helps us cope with the loss. Well, in the case Jake, the task becomes wrapping your head around just how many lives one person could possibly live. He really did see it all, do it all, and that incredible brain his could relish every last detail. But most you reading this now identified primarily with Jake Phelps the skateboarder, and editor our magazine, so I will leave you with this truth – I never met anybody who loves anything more than Jake worshipped skateboarding. Just as we need food and water to survive, Jake needed skateboarding to keep his blood pumping. It was more than a hobby or form transportation or way life – it was his oxygen. Here’s another thing. Jake never bailed. Jake fucking slammed. And there is a big difference. He only knew commitment. He was going to go for it without hesitation, and there were only two outcomes. Either you’d see his triumphant fist pumping in the air or it’d be an earth-shaking collision with the concrete. I remember him telling me once that he never fell backwards, he always fell forward. Leaning back meant there was hesitation, and Jake was all the way IN. There was no myth. The man was the myth. We love you, Jake. -Tony Vitello

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Phelps’ trigger loss of life hasn’t been disclosed, however his uncle Clark prompt in a Fb put up that it was fast.

“My illustrious nephew Jake, famed editor Thrasher Journal died all of a sudden and simple in the present day,” he wrote. “In case you knew him you knew a personality. He’s bought more room on Google than anyone I do know. We beloved one another, and if he was wherever close to Salt Lake Metropolis he would crash for an evening or two. I’ve dozens tales and can inform just a few within the subsequent few days.”

Though Phelps had a fame for being tough across the edges, he ten confirmed his ster facet when coping with blossoming skate boarders. He embodied the very essence skateboarding till the tip.

As Vitello put it, “I by no means met anyone who loves something greater than Jake worshipped skateboarding. Simply as we’d like meals and water to outlive, Jake wanted skateboarding to maintain his blood pumping. It was greater than a pastime or kind transportation or means life – it was his oxygen.”

Thrasher’s employees photographer Joe Hammeke informed HipHopDX, “The important thing issues about Jake have been he was an encyclopedia skate information, blunt when it got here to opinions, lived on the highway and beloved skateboarding greater than anybody in your complete world. Dude gave me the best job on earth. Skateboarding won’t ever be the identical.”

In fact, Hip Hop and skateboarding have all the time been inextricably linked.

From the previous 411 movies that featured music from artists reminiscent of Souls Mischief, Mos Def, DJ Rhettmatic and Del The Funky Homosapien to the numerous rappers who skate — together with Del, Lil Wayne, Odd Future, Lupe Fiasco, Joey Bada$$ and Beastie Boys — they’re ceaselessly intertwined.

Tributes have been pouring in because the information broke. Tony Hawk, Questlove, Shepard Fairey and Ed Templeton are only a few who’re fering their condolences on social media.

Take a look at some the reactions under.