🛹 Jenkem Mag: The Skateboarding Zine That Rewrote the Rules

In the world of skateboarding media, few names evoke as much irreverence, authenticity, and underground cool as Jenkem Magazine. Born out of Brooklyn, New York in 2011, Jenkem wasn’t just another skate mag—it was a rebellion. A countercultural movement disguised as a digital publication, it was founded by Ian Michna, who saw a void in the skate media landscape and filled it with raw interviews, gritty street footage, and a voice that refused to be sanitized.

🌆 Origins: From Brooklyn With Grit

Jenkem emerged from a small crew of skaters and creatives who were tired of the glossy, formulaic skate coverage dominating the scene. Instead of following pros around for polished profiles, Jenkem dove into the weird, the wild, and the wonderful. Think teaching Kanye West how to ollie, talking fakie flips with Werner Herzog, or taking acid at Street League. It was skate journalism with a punk ethos and a DIY heart.

🎤 What They're Known For

Jenkem quickly carved out a niche for itself by doing what others wouldn’t:

• Unfiltered interviews with legends like Andrew Reynolds, Bam Margera, Mike Carroll, and Marc Johnson.

• Spotlighting marginalized voices, including LGBT skaters and adaptive athletes like Dan Mancina (a blind skateboarder) and Ali Jusovic (who skates on his knees).

• Cultural deep dives, such as the decline of skate plazas in the U.S. or the resurrection of iconic spots like L.A. High Rail.

• Multimedia content, including mixtapes, podcasts, and even a record label featuring bands fronted by skateboarders.

🧢 Sponsorships and Collaborations

While Jenkem isn’t a traditional skate brand with a team roster, it’s collaborated with major players like Adidas Skateboarding on projects like “Tour Star,” a cross-country skate video. It’s also curated events, art shows, and contests, often blurring the line between skateboarding and broader cultural movements. Their tongue-in-cheek take on sponsorships—like imagining drink sponsor teams for Snapple or Aloe Water—shows their playful, satirical edge.

📀 Beyond the Board: Music and Print

In 2017, Jenkem launched “Beginnings – A Jenkem Record,” a vinyl compilation featuring music by skateboarders. It was a love letter to the intersection of skate and sound. They’ve also published two full-length books of essays and interviews, proving that print isn’t dead—it just needed a kickflip.

🔥 What They're Up To Now

Fast forward to today, and Jenkem is still thriving. Their site is a hub for:

• Weekly video premieres and skate edits

• Mix series featuring skaters’ favorite tracks

• Interviews with industry disruptors, from DIY storefront owners to aging skaters reinventing themselves

• Global coverage, including skate scenes in Uganda and Japan’s replicas of California skate spots

"TOUR STAR" - A Tour Video by Jenkem for Adidas Skateboarding

JENKEM - Matt Tomasello in "Rodney Mullen on Bath Salts: Round Three"