The Atlanta skate scene is vibrant, raw, and often overlooked. This video, “STILL IN ATLANTA,” from the Headlock crew, showcases the immense talent brewing in this Southern hub. It’s more than just skateboarding; it’s a testament to the city’s unique culture and the dedication of its skaters. This isn’t just another skate video; it’s a glimpse into a community that’s shaping the future of skateboarding, and it all starts in Atlanta.
This edit, masterfully filmed by Justin Hearn, isn’t just a collection of tricks. It’s a narrative, a visual poem of Atlanta’s streets and the individuals who call them their playground. The first three minutes alone will have you hooked, showcasing the kind of raw talent that seems to be a hallmark of the city. The subsequent twelve minutes continue to deliver, featuring a host of skilled skaters from what can only be called a criminally underrated scene. When you think of Atlanta and skateboarding, Grant Taylor is often the first name that comes to mind. But, who’s to say the city isn’t fostering the next generation of skateboarding legends?
To delve deeper into the Atlanta skate scene, we sat down with Justin Hearn, the mastermind behind the lens, to get his take on the city, the skate culture, and what drives him.
Q&A with Filmmaker Justin Hearn
Are you born and raised in Atlanta?
I’m actually from Albany, Georgia, which is about three hours south of here. It’s a small town, the kind of place where you either get out or get stuck. I moved to Atlanta when I was 19 using a $1,500 tax refund. I’m 27 now, so I’ve been here for a solid chunk of time.
Being from a small Southern town, what would you say is the most Southern thing about you?
I guess the most Southern thing about me is how much I genuinely love Georgia [laughs]. I’ve never been super into the country lifestyle, but I do remember having a four-wheeler and building ramps to jump, even when I really shouldn’t have been in the air.
Justin Hearn, a skateboarder and filmmaker from Atlanta
“I’m a Georgia boy at heart. You can’t take the South out of me.”
I’ve never been about lifting my truck way up or using dip. I’ve always been true to skating. But I’m a Georgia boy at heart, and you can’t take the South out of me. I definitely still have my [Southern] accent too. I keep thinking it’s fading, but I’ll catch myself. When I hear other people talk like that, I’m like, “Damn, hopefully I don’t sound like that.” I always knew I belonged in the city [laughs].
If you’re from Atlanta, are you contractually obligated to love Grant Taylor?
You gotta respect him, no matter what. He’s one of the best skaters out there, and seeing him skate in person is something else, especially on transition. In my eyes, he’s the only one to actually go pro IN Atlanta before moving away. He stayed here and made it happen. I have nothing but respect for him.
Same question, but about Gucci Mane?
[laughs] I was a big fan of Gucci until the clone rumors started. That’s when he went mainstream and his music became watered down. But you’re definitely obligated to love the old Gucci. I find myself going back to his older stuff because it hits harder than the new tracks. The new stuff, I could pass on.Where’s the best place to get a bit rowdy on a night out?
If you’re a skater and you want to hang with other skaters, you need to hit up Elmyr. They serve the Grizz, which is basically a High Life with a shot on top. A couple of those, and you’re well on your way. It’s also right by Stratosphere, a great spot for cheap Mexican food. They also host Big Trouble In Little Five Points, a skate event right in front of their place. It’s got everything you could want.
A GIF of skateboarding footage in an urban setting
Speaking of Little Five Points, is that the best place to pick up an indie chick?
That or East Atlanta Village. If you’re looking for that type of person, those are the two spots to be. That’s where you’ll find them.
Is it true… about the strip clubs?
I personally don’t go because it’s expensive, but everything you’ve heard is true. There are no lies about the strip clubs here. Anyone who visits from out of town wants to check them out. A lot of people even go for the food, not just the dancers. Apparently, the food is surprisingly good.
You guys almost lost the famous Black Blocks in 2016. How important is that spot to Atlanta skate culture?
I had just moved here in 2016, and I remember hearing about that. Back then, I didn’t fully get Black Blocks. It’s just some super tall, crusty ledges with slippery ground. Some people actually hate it. You don’t see as many people there as you did back in the day, but if it were to get torn down, people would be seriously upset.
If you can get a clip there, that’s more impressive to me than someone skating a random rail. Plazas are becoming rare these days, and it’s the one spot where we can skate without getting hassled. I especially appreciate it now that I know how to skate it. I love seeing the lines people can get there. Like that Louie Lopez line where he noseblunted a block and then 180 fakie manny fakie frontside flipped another one? That’s insane.
A skateboarder performing a trick at an urban skate spot
Are there any cult classic local videos that people should know about?
Definitely. There’s “Southern Comfort,” any footage of Travis Glover, the Atlanta OG. His style is unbeatable. He used to ride for Zoo York. The “Nike Debacle” video too. That one wasn’t entirely Atlanta, but it had a lot of footage from here. “Scarlet Fever” is another really sick local video. And any of the SEC videos by [Max] Yoder. Those are all videos I still watch now.
“There’s a lot of new faces that I feel deserve some shine, and I’ve been skating long enough to help guide people through all this.”
What’s the background on Headlock?
I started Headlock about a year ago because our filming scene got really dry. For some reason, there aren’t any filmers in Atlanta right now. Me and my homies were talking about it, and I decided to buy a camera. A kid happened to have an HPX and sold it to me. I used to film for fun when I was younger, and I knew how I wanted things to look.
I wanted Headlock to be my filming page, and its goal is to help the scene keep going. There’s a lot of fresh talent coming up that deserves recognition, and I’ve been around long enough to help them get through this process. You don’t have to go pro, but why not work on something and be happy with the result? To be proud of something. I also make some products for fun, and sometimes they sell, sometimes they don’t. But it’s fun to put things out there and see what sticks. I try not to overthink it.
A GIF of young skateboarders performing tricks
Why do you think there’s been such a dry spell of local filmers?
There have definitely been times when a good filmer comes along and really revitalizes the scene. There’s always been a strong pool of skaters here, but not enough people want to film. And I get it. Filming is a lot of work, you know? But that’s why I stepped up. It would suck to see kids here stop skating because they don’t feel supported.
The first two skaters in the opening section, one is 14 and one is 16. They’re the new generation of Atlanta, so why wouldn’t anyone want to film them? They’re the ones who will take over.
The last crew I knew out of Atlanta was the Wrldformation crew. Was Jourdy and that crew moving away a part of why you started Headlock and filming?
Yeah, pretty much. Jourdy left, and then everyone else started moving or doing their own thing. We tried to keep filming for Wrldformation, but it’s hard when everyone is scattered. It’s just not the same. I get it though, people are going to move and do what they need to do. Their moving definitely motivated me to get a camera. I wasn’t going to stop filming. I didn’t want things to get stagnant for myself or anyone else. I wanted to keep things going. When Jourdy was here, their whole goal was to create a platform to showcase our footage. What I’m doing is the same idea.
Does you staying behind have anything to do with the title of the video?
Absolutely. The video is called “Still in Atlanta” because of people who moved to New York or LA and were giving me grief for staying here, saying stuff like “Atlanta is dead” [laughs]. That’s where the name comes from. I wanted to stir the pot a bit.
A skateboarder captured in a dynamic pose on the streets of Atlanta
What do you see as being more lucrative? Pursuing skateboarding or going down the filming route?
Right now, I’m definitely focused on skateboarding. I recently started getting hooked up by Asics, so I’m trying to keep my foot in the door. At this point, it’s hard to get fully “on” with how the industry is, especially if you’re not in their face all the time, which I don’t really understand. If you’re in a different place and you’re getting product out there, people should recognize the value in that. Sometimes it just takes longer when you’re in a place like Atlanta, and that’s fine. I’m just doing it the way I want to do it. As long as you’re happy with yourself, eventually, things will work out. That’s what I’ve learned from being flow. You can’t expect too much.
“Sometimes it takes a little longer being somewhere like Atlanta, and that’s fine. I’m just doing it the way I want to do it.”
What takes more patience, struggling for your own trick or filming someone struggling to get a trick?
That’s a tough one. I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to get my own clips because I know what I can do. As a skater, you expect things to come quickly. But when does that ever happen?
I’m more relaxed when I’m filming others. I’m usually the one saying, “Yo, just chill you got it.” But when I try to film my own stuff, I get heated. Especially when I’ve been filming other people for a while and then I can’t land my own trick, I get bummed out. I try to remember that it is what it is, and it just depends on the day.
A GIF showing a skateboarder performing a backside trick in Atlanta
Filming with the youngins, what are the kids into right now? What are they stoked on?
They’re all into that Soundcloud music. Sometimes, I try to get them to send me song options for videos, and I’m like, “Bro…”
Honestly though, they just want to skate and get footy. When I was their age, I wasn’t even close to being as good as they are now. It’s awesome to watch them progress month after month. You can see their style getting better and them getting taller. Everything starts to come easier for them. With these kids I’m always like, “Damn, when did you learn that?”
I’m sure you’re a role model to a lot of these kids, so what’s a piece of advice you’d give them?
A lot of people will tell you what to do, but you should stay patient and try to understand what you want. Also, trust your gut and keep the fun in things. I’ve seen kids get sponsored early on and it can ruin their love for it. Remember to enjoy being a kid and enjoy skateboarding.
This “Still in Atlanta” video is a testament to the passion and the raw talent brewing in the Atlanta skate scene. It’s a community pushing the boundaries of skateboarding, and with figures like Justin Hearn at the helm, the future of Atlanta skateboarding looks bright.
