Manny Santiago!

What can I say about Homie? He's one of the best
Skaterboarders I've ever known. He's been able to do what seems like
every trick for as long back as I can remember, and to see him take it
as far as he has is truly inspiring. Manny always keeps it real. Mad genuine,
always has been. From back in the days of the Hadley
Park, to these days in LA. Always been super cool, super down to
earth, and always looks out for the Homies (Thanks for them kicks!) I
recentley got to catch up with Manny and talk about life in LA and the
pressures (and injuries) that come with filming for three major video
parts at one time...

Posted by Nick Crafts

DN: What’s up Manny? What’s gooooooood? What you up to right now?

Manny: Chillin chillin, you know updating the Site and what not, with a cup
of coffee in my right hand ha-ha

DN: Yes, you need the essentials! Now I know you been spending ALOT of time in Cali lately, where have you been staying, and who have you been staying with?

Manny: Yeah I been out in Downtown LA since before Thanksgiving and haven’t gone home, Thanks to FELIX. He lets me crash on his couch, THANKS LIX!

DN: Doin it homie! Where have you been Skating, and who have you been skating with?

Manny: I been skating around LA, and the Berrics. Very lucky guy ha-ha but yeah umm The Famous squad, Luis, Darren, Aquil, Andrew, Felix then I got the homie Billy Roper who lives out here so we cruise around…actually yesterday I was cruising Venice Beach wit homie Jah Jah from the band “NinjaSonik” and Jimbo from “The Wildones”

DN: I know what a huge influence Felix was to you growing up, ha-ha. What’s it like living and Skating with someone you looked up too as a youngin'?

Manny: It’s amazing! They say you should never meet your idols because they will disappoint you, But I feel like it was a blessing to actually meet FELIX and become good homies with him, he has opened my eyes and brought a lot of opportunities in my life never mind always giving me the best advice.

DN: Well that leads me to ask is there gonna be a permanent move to Cali soon?

Manny: Yeah its in the works, I need to be out here now I feel like its that time in my life to take rout, plus everything is out here that I need…. Still EAST in my heart though ha-ha

DN: Don't forget your east coast counterparts!! You've had some Injuries in the recent past, how’s everything feeling right now?

Manny: Yeah well I was out for a month in Nov. with a really bad ankle roll then recently bruised my other foot filming so I just have to take care of my self…fiming for 3 videos isn’t easy but im down for the challenge! You know that ha-ha

DN: Ahhh, yeah....I see you getting coverage in Transworld and Thrasher lately, tell me what thats like?


Manny: Its honestly amazing, because im a magazine fan! Always looking for the new ones to see what’s been going on so to be in them is dope! Hopefully I can keep that going.

DN: Much deserved, hope to see more and more and more...I know you've been super busy filming for a couple different upcoming videos, Think video, Famous video, and Axion video. How’s that going right now?


Manny: Good but bad because I keep getting hurt but it doesn’t stop me ha-ha, The THINK video is going to be a Think/City Skateboards video and I got a lot of footy for that, Famous video I got to put in work because its all HD but im getting their, and for Axion we went on an East coast tour so I got a couple clips already but in due time I will have 3 full parts…. Look out for them!

DN: What's it like filming for three different videos, at the same time, that have expectations as high as those three videos do?

Manny: Its really hard especially when I have put out like 5 video parts already so to re invent yourself is the hard part but I got some stuff
under my sleeve ha-ha I got a……secret son! You’ll have to wait and see.

DN: We're all hyped! When will we be able to see these videos?

Manny: As for Famous it’s supposed to be around May-sh, THINK/CITY maybe April and AXION around the winter..Not sure though…. look out for the trailers!

DN: Let's talk a little more about Axion, you know I was HYPED when I heard it was rising from the dead ha-ha. Tell me a little bit about the come back...

Manny: It’s just SICK! I mean to be part of a legendary company that is back and be a part of it is like landing your first kickflip! And we all remember that ha-ha…. just glad to grow with a company that cares about their skaters and what they like to skate and wear…. you’ll see !

DN: I've heard that you got some involvement in the designing of some kicks over there, whats good with that?

Manny: Yeah like I said they like what we like so since I been a little hurt so I been putting in the work in Illustrator and Photoshop…. just making some stuff everyone would like, they stuff that’s coming out right now is amazing so look out for it!

DN: My man not only designs shoes, he got a mean blog game as well, ha-ha. How's everything going with mannyslaysall.com?

Manny: Everything good you know steady updating everyday and trying to keep kids and skaters entertained you know…in the works of some redesigning and getting it put on the Http://www.Streetcornerskate.com multi blog section so excited on that.

DN: All right man, before I let you go, I gotta ask ... Are you EVER gonna come back to New England area?

Manny: Ha-ha of course my that’s where my heart is, ill be visiting soon so we gotta get up….but I feel like I need to chase my dream while I got it feel me…

DN: You the man, Manny! I appreciate your time and I will see you at the end of February. Any last words or shout outs?

Thanks to Everyone and anyone who has helped me out..They are way to many names to write but here we go…. Think Skateboards, Famous Stars and Straps, Axion Footwear, Venture Trucks, Hubba Wheels, Lucky, Pioneers SK8 Shop and AMMO…. FELIX for putting up with me, Dave Bachinsky, Nicky Lamarche, Rice and my Parents for always being supportive and proud! Steady Peep Http://www.MannySlaysAll.com …..”Give someone the roses while they can still smell’em”














Photo sequence by Jeremy Adams.