Selema Masekela

Selema Masekela joins us for stories of X-Games, Gigantic Skatepark Tour, his father's fame and the challenges of growing up as one of the very few black surfers in the neighborhood. This is a good one. And we have clean audio!
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Tony Hawk @tonyhawk @skateparkproject
Selema Masekela @selema
Jason Ellis @wolfmate

[@SGTXSAVAGE]

SELEMA!!! nothing but love for this dude, He was such a crucial part of the X games, and the golden era of “action sports” in general. Stoked he’s on the podcast

[@MotoMarv-Micahboy]

Holy craw this video really touched me. As a black sk8er, Bmx/mtb, Motocross rider, in the same age group as these guys, I too experienced some things.

[@corail53]

The goat of announcers and action sports hosts!

[@Craftinfinite]

Listening to Selema's stories is so much like what I went through growing up in South Orange County. Except he was more of a fighter than I was, I always tried to fit in, so hard. One day I met Selema at Lowers and were like, "Yeah brother I know what you're going through." Been friends since. Not super close but he always responds when I reach out. Such a good dude.

[@kryptomedicgaming]

For real so good to get his story this way, such a legend and always wondered how he got to where he was, loving this podcast lately! Even so amazing how his story literally has Tony and Jason just listening so intently! Massive episode :)

[@markvincent5127]

I've been waiting SO long to hear from Selema. I thought the Nine Club would have got him a while ago but I'm so pleased he's turned up for you guys. Gigantic Skatepark reunion tour anyone?!

[@AAtleastWeTried]

Check out "The bomb hole podcast". He's been on there 😊

[@ZTL92]

The voice of my youth Selema you are an absolute Legend! Thank you so much for all you have done for the culture! From skateboarding to activism you are a beautiful soul and I sincerely hope you continued growth and success in your life and ventures. Thank you Hawk vs Wolf crew for having on more amazing and inspiring people. My monday just became a 10/10! What a start to the week!

[@Gli0Kid]

This was awesome. I remember watching that 900 live and yelling and my mom telling me to settle down. I ran outside and went down the road to go skate at the middle school. The best of times. Sal was the voice of people in my action sports generation.

[@darude]

Such an awesome episode once again! Kudos to Tony & Jason for shining a light on people who’ve stuck to their beloved things and shined a light on important shit, like Selema here! Such an amazing connection you guys have and you’ve all impacted later generations in a big way! 1:27:00 - Early 2000’s when I toured in Germany I played in a smaller city I had a black MC, Chris, with me. We had a similar experience, the club promoter himself was a really nice guy, but warned us/Chris that the crowd, or some of them might “not be used to coloured performers”, but he wanted to go on with me and sure enough, some nasty shouting and name-calling happened and certainly left a sour taste of that particular place. 👎🏻

[@PoschSpice30]

Selema was/is such and iconic part of watching the X Games and those sports over the years. It’s weird watching those sports without him covering it.

[@AKtoTok]

💙🙌 an absolute legend and huge part of my childhood. Nostalgic af! Great episode.

[@kevinnaughton9597]

This show just gets better and better. Maybe my favorite episode yet

[@dkylewhitley]

I loved this episode! Selema is right about that first tour. I remember my friends and I recording each episode on our VCR tapes and sharing them with each other. We'd watch them over and over again. All these years later I work with one of my best friends from back then and I walked into his office the other day talking about listening to a podcast with Tony Hawk and Jason Ellis, and he immediately said "Ellis? "Sal! Back up there! Back up there you wuss!""

[@feezible]

I love this story. This made me smile so hard. More likes.

[@joeschmoe5009]

As a fan of the xgames from the beginning, so cool to hear selema's story here!

[@satatay23]

Great stories, and both his parents are makers of incredible, powerful, beautiful music. Hugh Masekela, and Miriam Makeba.

[@Nuru74]

Hi mother is Haitian. Not Miriam Makeba.

[@bufordclemente8375]

Great episode! So cool to see the friendship of 3 different people👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@rickingcrewny]

Another great episode. Thanks Tony, Jason and Selema. Such a great way to start the week

[@danieltorraca7378]

this interview is SO sick. Grew up on Selema announcing every event worth watching. Love getting to know him more!!

[@Ethericbikes]

Dave mirra stories hits the heart hard! The huck jam tour was truly one of the best parts of my childhood

[@laughteraddict1003]

Selema is a great guy. He used to be my neighbor in Leucadia when my son was a toddler(he'll be 30 in a couple days). I remember he took me to lowers once in his crappy old yellow car. The surf was good we paddled out before first light and in fifteen minutes I was back hanging on the beach. I have very poor vision and had lost both contact lenses. He gave me a Paul Simon Graceland tour golf shirt once his fathers band backed Paul up on that tour. I used to throw darts all the time with his roommate. So stoked to see him doing well.

[@tammymcclennan4962]

Love this ep

[@HGibberish]

Legend. Thanks for being you Selema!

[@Flowerslayz]

This Show is Bro af . Thank you ♥️

[@g1g72]

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Loved every minute.

[@kilamajaro1085]

Funny moving from Jamaica to Massachusetts in the 80's it was the same thing I sucked at team sports so the skaters took me in.

[@andyTHPS]

yo i did not know who Selema was before that Subway event a few weeks back, but man, what a great episode. This is a top 3 for sure. Hats off to this dude for doing what he does. Nice job all.

[@kurtownsj00]

I remember first re-discovering the Gigantic and Secret Tony Hawk Tours after I'd seen a couple episodes on ESPN on TV back then....they are SO FUN to watch. "My name's Jason Ellis, the biggest HALF ASS rockstar you've ever seen in your LIFE!" And I've been wanting to try a Flow Rider machine for like 20 years now, thanks to those! ps- Sal's lottery ticket debacle made it to air

[@SecretSpots]

The story of Bam jumping off the hotel into the pool was 1997 during a road trip that Ben Ritacco managed and chaperoned for my magazine Rare Breed (95'-98'), of which the photo sequence from that jump into the pool was printed in my magazine. I still have the high res scans of the photos. 🤙 Fun fact: Bam was 16 yo then and we published his first ever full page shot and cover shot that year from the Shred For Life event in Edison, NJ. We also shot Bam n NYC and Philly back then. Fun times

[@StrengthBeyondStrength]

It's a good day. We got Selema with the birdman and Elli. Going to watch the gigantic skate park tour when I get home.

[@MattHumphrey2408]

Awesome! Have never heard his testimony!

[@doobieblaze1628]

Outstanding! Thank you boys✌️❤️

[@sonnyinjuneau]

Wow, this is the best one so far. Selema and you have a great past. I could have listened to this for hours. Please have him back for more. Had no idea how he got into our worlds and enjoyed that, so cool to hear about his dad that I'm gonna look up that music, and just the bro stories you all have. thanks guys.

[@akatheNIKL]

best conversation to witness ever 🫀👁

[@BrianMorrisPhoto]

bravo guys........blessings Selema!

[@anthonyv6962]

What a good stand up guy. Also the podcast is fire.

[@cjsantos766]

At first I didn't grasp this and then I started watching it and realized how awesome this is! Wow!

[@ericburtoft4822]

I can listen to you three chat all day. Great stuff.

[@preusbs]

Super great conversations 😊

[@lefty36]

literally grew up hearing this dude’s voice and presence, so sick to see a full interview w him!

[@ezrabibby6520]

Fantastic episode! Love the 3 of you together… also, we all need a mate like Ellis 🤙🤙

[@tomtorrance9194]

While I love the skate stories and history, because of the depth, this is my favorite episode. Thanks for sharing your story.

[@bradb5541]

I saw Selema at Seaside back in the 90’s and my first thought was “not another one of these guys… we already have too many goofyfooters.” In all seriousness, killer episode. Straight legend.

[@marissac870]

Awesome interview. I've been watching those Gigantic Tour vids and it's cool to hear the behind the scenes shit. And all the other stuff that is crazy fresh in my mind. Great guest "for all intensive purposes you can call me Sal"

[@thesergiorevengeshow]

Mas was always commentating on Xtrme sports/Xgames and all the fun shit, when I was a young 20yr old - Dope to see this episode!!!

[@UrbanOutlawsSk8Co]

Selema is the voice I grew up with watching the x-games as a kid

[@NatGreenOnline]

Great interview. right on Selema!

[@pronjoffitt9141]

"we're all a little black and gay" lmao

[@jstma6201]

Love ya sal! Thanks guys!

[@nunya8938]

I’m an hour in, I hope they talk about Louisville 😬 it was the biggest of all the tours and changed a lot of kids lives. I’m here 20 years later because of that demo!

[@NYRAD02]

Yay !!! my Monday's been Made thanks guys Much Love from South Africa 🇿🇦 ❤️🛹🛹🤘🏻

[@AKtoTok]

🙌 right?! Such an flashback! Peace from Alaska 🤙🕊️

[@Dtansing1]

Please please please get Lee Ralph on the show. He deserves it. Please.please please.

[@indiopeltier9758]

Love this

[@Shin90x]

Finally a great perspective on how it was on TV when I was 9 aka 1999 sal was the best and thats how I know about ellis..I'm sry very dudes but I was a street skater amd I'm glad to know how it worked back then

[@fishify203]

Holy shit, you guys, this interview is next level. Heavy-duty, real-life stuff! Thanks

[@smburk88]

Imagine a 1 man show... Two hours. One hour Youngwing and one hour of this supreme version of Sel... Different stories every city.

[@johnnypea43]

Another good one. Also, if Sean White ever had any cred, it's long gone to the ether now.

[@jarrodneville7715]

G'day jase & Tony, thanks for another great pod. Like and describe

[@akatheNIKL]

selema is the best dude...

[@H-Vox]

I love how his accent is a mix of NYC and SoCal

[@jaymartinez7478]

SELEMA MABENA MASEKELA ! The reason I thought skating wasn’t just for white boys… him & Kareem Campbell , I realized he doesn’t really skate that much but that didn’t matter!!!! he was one of us and gave skaters an iconic voice

[@SHREDBEARD696]

Shredding 🐺🔪🀄🪶🐺🦅🪶🐺🀄🀄🛹🛹 Masekela X games Color Commentary and overall legendary man! You rule Sel! 🤙🏻✌🏼

[@SolidTryThough]

I still have the VHS tape from when I recorded tony hawks secret skatepark tour. Sal dropped into vert for the first time and it was so epic.

[@bradrowley7521]

Buck yeah Selema!!!

[@TRKTKO]

The Xgames were huge to me as a kid! I loved Vert, Best Trick and the Motocross events were great as well!

[@jesseosterhout907]

We need part 2!!! That was awesome but way too short!!!

[@leeshiflett1863]

I never realized that he was Hugh Masakela's son. Great interview.

[@gfries3]

That was awesome!

[@terrenceallen335]

Legend

[@JuanBrolo]

Awesome pod guys!!!!

[@BobWeaver3000]

yes!! dude's a legend.... also, 6:41 Wolfmate ftw!

[@FunTangent]

"We're all a little bit gay and a little bit black...so get over it." 🤣 This is a great podcast as usual. Selema is such a good guest.

[@turtletramp]

This is amazing.

[@loonyprism7310]

You guys rock 🤘

[@MotoMarv-Micahboy]

Awesome chat guy's

[@ericcolwill2409]

Hello hello from Des Moines Iowa

[@jibiroo]

Great show

[@blackout1111]

Mount Snow X Games snowboard pipe-“someone” chucked a snowball that clobbered him and he was not pleased😂The early announcers got clowned haaaard because we all knew by the way they called the runs they weren’t in the “know”. The “P” in ESPN stood for “poser”

[@Daniel_Loveland]

The perfect guest.

[@PDillz]

Met Selena at slam city jam possibly 2001-2002 and it was so sick. Seeing him walking by from a distance until he got close was rad. I believe I had him sign a one dollar bill. This was the same year someone paid baby mitchie Brusco $100 to drop in the the big bowl outside (actually dropped in right next to it lol) (sorry mitchie) I thought it was Selema but the more I think about it I think it was the guy who pranked Selema with Bam. Can't remember his name but he was a big personality for sure. Now look at Brusco. Top 5 in the world. Imo anyways.

[@rodavich7778]

Great Episode how does this not have more views. Also you should make a studio like this looks the part of a succesful podcast.

[@cinemasnitch3959]

this guy was like the ringmaster of the circus that was Xgames as i grew up. This dude is a fucking legend! Hook him up with the Nine club TONY!

[@erickedmunds6374]

Where can I get a deck? Love the show.

[@neumanneuvers7400]

penguin surf contests are dope

[@BrianCR500AF]

I had the privilege to meet Selema's father after a small show he did in LA. My father in law was great friends with him from So Africa. Thank you for getting me into the X Games Salema. Dr Dan is my Father in law. It was so great meeting your dad and actually hanging out with him...I just shut up and listened to these guys.

[@lightOUTlouisville]

🙌

[@damonalire1567]

amazing

[@dneck]

15 min in and i was hooked. great guest! what is up with the ritzy mansion though? takes me out of it a little bit haha

[@gradycooper7416]

You guys gotta get bam on the show

[@gabrielcassutto113]

When is Tony going to bring out the fabled board he landed the 1st 900 on? It keeps coming up in podcasts. Prove to us you haven't lost it

[@FunkyWalker3k]

Can't believe Scot Forbes just got shot out! Fuckin Legendary! Scot, you made it my dude!

[@zachdixon4597]

Fucking love Selema! Love the outro countdown 😅😅

[@sandyhoy8936]

Break dancing on the water lmao

[@MacChuck]

Great episode! Mr.Ellis seems off for some kind of reason, not his happy self:- ()

[@84calishark]

🔥🔥

[@romariodu]

yes

[@paulfield6815]

Does anybody know if there is footage of him dropping into vert? I'd love to see it but couldn't find any.

[@jspaulding4106]

Listening on headphones today, not watching. Is there a clip of Selema dropping vert?

[@doctorspockARTS]

Are they using a green screen in the background. The ripples and shadows haven’t moved through out the last three episodes

[@jarrodneville7715]

Whoa holy shit I watched that 900 with my dad on espn when it happened

[@lesetjamaja9545]

Does anyone know what tour or show they’re talking about the entire time? And where I can watch it

[@IzzyHoldenAfart]

Tony Hawk's Gigantic Skatepark Tour. Have to buy the DVDs or VHS tapes