The skateboarding world was recently set ablaze by a controversy surrounding Illegal Civ’s upcoming video, Hell Week. What started as anticipation for the new project quickly devolved into a storm of online drama, accusations, and fractured relationships. This article delves into the heart of the conflict, piecing together the perspectives of the key figures involved.
The initial spark was the release of a promo vlog and an official trailer for Hell Week, showcasing a new, younger crew of skaters. This raised eyebrows as it conspicuously lacked established pro riders like Alex Midler, Zach Saraceno, and Kevin White. This absence, coupled with the introduction of unknown faces, led to online speculation and criticism.
Adding fuel to the fire, Gifted Hater, a known online personality, released a 30-minute diss vlog targeting the Hell Week promo. Gifted’s critique focused on various aspects, including the perceived recklessness and questionable behavior, specifically highlighting smoking with underage kids. This video caused several of the new riders to reconsider their involvement, leading to requests to remove their footage from the video. The situation quickly escalated into a maelstrom of confusion and conflicting narratives. We decided to investigate and speak with the people involved to get a clear picture of the situation with Mikey, Illegal Civ, and the Hell Week project.
Rob Mattox: A New Rider’s Perspective
Rob Mattox, a newcomer to California, shared his experience, emphasizing the unexpected nature of the fallout. He explained that he moved from North Carolina for a gap year to pursue skateboarding. He connected with Dalton Palacio, Hell Week’s filmer, and was eventually introduced to Mikey Alfred, the founder of Illegal Civ. Rob was excited about the opportunity to be in a major video and receive payment for his efforts.
The release of the vlog video came as a surprise to Rob and other riders. “He just said come here and we’re going street skating. Then he told us we were doing some vlog thing,” Rob recalled. He was disappointed with the way the video introduced the new riders. The Gifted Hater video intensified the situation, prompting online backlash against Mikey and Illegal Civ. Rob felt that the team was caught in the crossfire of Mikey’s decisions. Rob explained, “These are all Mikey’s ideas… the team is what makes the company.”
The situation further deteriorated when Lando Magik posted an edit of his iPhone footage on Instagram. Mikey reacted by making fun of Lando, a move Rob found unprofessional and another red flag. After that, Logan Kirshak decided to leave the project, requesting his clips back. Mikey responded with the now-infamous “$700k number,” effectively dismissing Logan’s request. This reaction spurred further departures, including Rob himself. Despite enjoying the skating sessions, the online behavior and story posts became too much for Rob. “It just seems like Mikey is doing this all to himself,” Rob stated, expressing the frustration felt by many of the riders. He hopes to get his footage back but is unsure of the outcome. He emphasized that the whole experience was a lesson in how quickly things can change and the importance of good relationships within the skateboarding community.
Dalton Palacio: The Filmmaker’s Predicament
Dalton Palacio, the filmer for Hell Week, offered a behind-the-scenes look. He acknowledged that the project began positively but the vlog and the Gifted Hater video triggered the fallout. Dalton pointed to the Logan post as the turning point, “It went downhill after that vlog and the Gifted Hater shit… That’s probably what started the madness of everybody’s reaction and shit.” He also noted the absurdity of Mikey’s $700k demand, highlighting that he was included in the screenshot despite having no involvement in the dispute. “I didn’t know anything about the $700k thing until Logan sent me the screenshot. I was like, ‘What the fuck?'” Dalton explained. He also pointed out, “I’m pretty sure he was just trolling, had to be, cuz bruh…”
Despite his frustration, Dalton acknowledged that he signed a contract giving all his filmed footage to Illegal Civ. He also said that he tried to buy the rights to the footage back, specifically for Logan and Joey’s footage, but was blocked by Mikey. The situation was made worse when he was told to “move on,” a response that he found illogical, given his central role as the filmer. He added, “All I did was film.” Dalton also noted that he felt Mikey’s approach to introducing the new skaters could have been handled differently. He joined the project with the intention of creating a great video but is now disheartened by the outcome.
Kevin White: A Former Pro’s Disappointment
Kevin White, a former pro rider on the team, shared his disappointment and the reasons behind his departure. Kevin revealed, “Mikey couldn’t even hit me up and ask me how my surgery was. I had knee surgery like two weeks ago.” Kevin emphasized the lack of unity and respect within the team. He highlighted the business side, pointing out Mikey’s actions of playing the “race card towards a Mexican and Jewish kid,” a move that was unacceptable to Kevin. He felt the team was being asked to simply promote the brand, without any unity or respect. He also said “He’s saying our board is selling like dogshit and he’s telling that to fans behind our backs.” Kevin felt that he had to take a step back to protect his image and values.
He mentioned that Mikey’s online behavior was a significant factor in his decision. Kevin pointed out, “You see him online fighting with Na-Kel, going back and forth with people telling everyone this 16-year-old is a racist and a Nazi.” While he believes the $700k comment was more of a “fuck you,” he also acknowledged how the whole situation escalated. He does not see a way for things to go back to the way they were, as he stated, “I don’t think anyone wants to get back together like we used to be.” Kevin’s disappointment is clear as he shared the feeling of having something worked hard for taken away.
While he had no ill will towards Mikey he expressed the need to distance himself from the situation. “I don’t think any of us know what to say because we’re watching it all happen,” he shared, underlining the feeling of helplessness among the former team members. He also stated, “I was just upset and bummed out because my feelings are hurt.” Kevin also shared his view on Gifted Hater, seeing him as an outside observer that’s validating public opinions. He also believes Mikey’s not weird for smoking with the younger kids, but recognizes that it doesn’t look good to put online.
Mikey Alfred: The Founder’s Perspective
Mikey Alfred, the founder of Illegal Civ, presented his side of the story. He was open to answering questions and explained that he’s “chilling” and went skating. Mikey addressed the departure of the original team, stating that once the initial funding ran out, the team couldn’t keep up with the sales needed to continue the same level of pay. He explained, “They never caught up, so it just kind of is what it is. Everyone just kinda disappeared over a two-year span.” He added, “There’s nothing wrong with that, happens all the time.”
When asked about the current team, he mentioned that Tino, Lester, and Antonio were still on board, and that others were “shaken up” by the situation. He downplayed the significance of the online drama, viewing it as “not that big of a deal.” He stated that the controversy was sparked by comments under the initial Illegal Civ vlog. While he admitted that the criticism about smoking with younger skaters was understandable, he also pointed out that this is regular in Los Angeles.
Regarding the $700k comment, Mikey clarified that it was a joke to tell Logan that he wouldn’t get his footage back, which he further explained by saying “It’s more just like, bro, finish what you are doing.” He was surprised that the comment had taken on a life of its own. He was unsympathetic to the riders, saying, “I have zero sympathy for these kids. They are on straight sucka shit letting these comments stop them from finishing a street part.” Mikey also addressed his social media posts accusing former riders of being racist. He explained, “Just look at their actions…it’s another thing to start profiting off of me and what I’m doing. It doesn’t feel good. It feels like colonialism in 2022.” He was particularly upset by Logan’s decision to create $700k merchandise. He stated that the footage he has of Logan wasn’t even that great, and that by not using it, he’s doing Logan a favor.
Despite the controversy, he stated that the Hell Week premiere will still take place and that he has “nothing to prove.” Mikey’s tone throughout the interview was one of defiance and frustration with the reactions of those around him. He sees the situation as a minor issue, a sentiment not shared by others involved. He also said that, “It’s some little kids.” When asked if there was a possibility for reconciliation he again downplayed the seriousness, but did note that he was thankful for the 700k as it lined up with the timing for his license renewal.
Conclusion
The Illegal Civ Hell Week controversy highlights the complexities of the skateboarding world, where personal relationships, creative vision, and online reputation intersect. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the power of online discourse and the importance of transparent communication. While Mikey Alfred maintains that the situation is not a big deal, the fallout has left many skaters hurt and disappointed, revealing a deep rift within the skateboarding community. The future of Hell Week and the relationships between these skaters remains uncertain.
Interviews by: Alexis Castro & Ian Michna
Illustration: Wilson Lucas
