When Chaka Khan sang these
words more than a decade ago, I never thought that they would be more than just
lyrics to me. For the past two years, my passion of roller skating has been
starved and forced to feed itself only in moderation and small portions.
I moved from Detroit, MI (A
skater’s paradise) to Chandler, AZ (A skater’s hell) for a number of reasons.
At first it didn’t bother me not being able to enjoy R & B music at an adult
session several times a week. I was new to the area, and there was so much to
do like familiarize myself with the area and get to know people. However, as the
months went by, I started to long for some Patrice Rushen cuts or the occasional
Gap Band song when I did visit the rinks here. I was soon forced to put my IPod
into overdrive and load up as much music possible and turn it up as loud as I
could to drown out the wails of children and undecipherable lyrics that were
un-skate able.
I begin to envy what I had
so easily taken for granted before and started wishing for a miracle. No longer
being able to “leave it on the wood”, now I had to “leave it on the epoxy-glide”
(The blue stuff). That doesn’t even sound right. Now, instead of checking into
a mental hospital, I travel five hours to California once a month or to the
occasional out of town skate party just to get my roll on.
Some may ask, “Is it worth
it?” Real skaters already know, “Of course it is!” But I’ll do whatever I have
to do to get my roll on.
So when your rolling
during the week get a slide, a split, a one-stop, a jack-leg or whatever you
style calls for in for me!
J
KP “DETROIT STYLE ALL DAY”
ButtaFly
DaBx Sk8er
(Art in
Motion's first lady)
Roller Funk: How long have you been skating?
ButtaFlyIve
been skating since I was 6 yrs old. Started at Skate Palace in Soundview (My
Bronx people know the location LOL) Then Skate Key on Allerton Ave.
When they closed that one down, we moved to The Key on 3rd Ave.
R.I.P. to all of my Bronx rinks. We had some good times!!
Roller Funk: What are
your two favorite rinks?
ButtaFly:
Skate Key on Allerton Ave. Bronx, NY I had a lot
of fun at that rink and practically grew up there. It was my second home.
Rich City in Richton Park, IL It has a beautiful floor and its huge! Thats
where Im having my birthday party in October details to come
Roller Funk: What is
currently your favorite song to skate to?
ButtaFly
Well
it all depends on which night you catch me and what mood Im in LOL.
Ok let me break it down for you:
Slow Jamz Ne-yos Mirror and Jamie Foxxs Three Letter Word.
These songs just bring my backwards skating to another level.
In NY T.I. Bring em out, the beat is BANANAS!!!
In Chi-Town Dame-Os Where Dame At? A Chicago DJ that knows how to put
beats together for your routines to look on point!! Thanks Dame!!
Roller Funk: How
would you describe yourself?
ButtaFly:
Im a very social person until you cross me! I love to
laugh, always smiling and showing love to all my skaters around the world!
If I tell you Im your friend you have a friend 4 life!
There are sayings I live by:
Everything happens for a reason
I can only be me. You either Love me or Leave me Alone!!
Roller Funk: What was
the best skate jam you ever attended and why?
ButtaFlyI
havent had the opportunity to attend a skate jam yet. But believe me when I
tell you...
Once I do its ON AND CRACKIN!!! LOL
Roller Funk:
If you could tell the skaters around the world just one thing, what would it
be?
ButtaflyIf
you enjoy skating, dont ever let anyone in your life take that away from
you. Guaranteed youll lose a big part of yourself in the process and your
life wont be the same.