A couple of years ago, I came across a skating style that completely blew my mind — JB skating. It’s a dynamic, funky, soulful, and unique quad skating style that was born in Chicago, USA, and [as a skater] once you’ve seen it, you can't forget it!
I was immediately captivated by the confident footwork, the originality of the skate style, and that effortless swag these adult skaters embodied. I first discovered the JB style through Malik Thomas — a beautifully accomplished JB skater from Chicago — while scrolling through his Instagram channel @lifeofmalik. His videos showcase the JB skater community doing their thing to JB music: solo skaters throwing down JB moves [in the slickest ways possible], and JB crews skating in matching fits, completely in sync. Malik brought JB to the global skating community in a big way ...and you better believe the London skate scene was watching [with a keen eye!].
And of course… [you already know] I had to try it out for myself.
➡️ Watch a video on the JB Skate Chicago Channel
➡️ Watch Malik doing his thing!
The Chicago Style, London Roots
Here’s the thing about JB skating — it’s deeply Chicago! It’s more than just a rearangement of typical skate moves; it’s a whole new expression of rhythm, it's history steeped in black/soul funk culture, it's inmeshed with a swag that's immediately recognisable as JB— a style which is passed down from Chicago's JB OG's [which we're not best placed to recieve here in London!]. Nobody London was really doing it justice when it first hit. For us, the JB style was a fresh new style, and a whole new vibe!
Over time — and many, many Instagram reels later — I decided to get started. I started with [what I considered] the very basics of the JB "swerve”, getting to grips with shifting my weight and putting my skate edges to work. I experimented with my swerve size, speed, rhythm, and style—first on two skates, then on one.
Malik Thomas also has some handy JB tutorials on his YouTube channel, so I got to work on those. That’s when I realised — this is not an easy style to pick up! Just like that! You can watch it for hours, but when you actually give it a go, you start to appreciate just how much dedication, repetition ...and correction it takes [If you know, you know!].
Watch Malik's JB tutorials:
➡️ JB Tutorial #1: Four Corners & Stan The Man
➡️ JB Tutorial #2: The Big Wheel& The Buckey/ Monkey Walk
➡️ JB Tutorial #3: The 'Ga Ga' & Short Step / Long Step
➡️ JB Tutorial #4: The Godfather & Cissy Strut
Inspired by the JB Greats
Some months later, I started following another of my [now] favourite JB skater from Chicago — Myesha [@InspiredbyFavor] McCaskill aka Smooth Goddess — whose creative flow and control really drew me in. Myesha [was for me] the go to female JB skater. I’d watch her videos on repeat, to soak in the essence of her JB style, and then try parts of her flow. But honestly, even with hours of practise, my JB was nowhere near where I needed it to be.
"When I'm skating by myself, it's free flow, freestyle, I just allow this music to take control.
Being known as a Chicago skate guru makes me feel honoured ... grateful, and also, there's a responsibility to live up to and show the community what our Chicago culture is about. "
~Myesha
➡️ Watch Myesha on WGN News
Then along came Alono Span @loolatlono — another Chicago based instructor who was breaking down the JB style for beginners on his Instagram channel. His tutorials hit differently for those wanting to get the very basics of the JB formulae. He reignited my interest after some months of letting my JB practise slide. Many of London's skaters wanting to incorporate JB into their flow were indeed looking at Lono!
➡️ Watch Lono [skate night]
Fast forward a year and a half, and I’d managed to build a decent enough understanding of the JB flavour and a very basic foundation of JB steps— despite not actually seeing a true JB skater in the flesh. I could recognise and name many of the key moves, My JB footwork and flow were starting to take shape, although my upper body still needed some attention.
Now, we're beginning to see the first wave of UK based skaters teaching the basics of JB style skating. Typically, it's those who have taken the time [and expense] to travel across the pond to Chicago, just immerse themselves [as much as possible] in JB in-person lessons, the skate community and culture.
Long Awaited JB Workshops
I missed out on the JB workshops that took place in London last summer [with two of my favourite Americans], so when I heard that Lono was bringing his World Tour through London with @sk8ofminds, I knew I had to secure a spot. And I did!
I recently attended his three-hour London workshop.. It was very inspiring to witness Lono share his JB flow with us. He broke down four of the most iconic JB moves — the footwork, timing, and practicalities behind the use of these combinations — in a way that made sense.
During those three hours, we got to grips with:
☑️ Stan The Man
☑️ 4 Corners
☑️ The Buckey/Monkey Walk
☑️ The Walk Back
➡️ Watch another one of Lono's beginner routines HERE.
By the end of the workshop, the routine that Lono had shared started to click into place. I felt like I finally understood how to execute these steps well. And the best part? The session wrapped up with a JB jam, where we could freestyle, test the routine, and just vibe. We finally got to do what we came to do!
The JB [Social Media] Connection
It’s pretty incredible to know that social media has been instrumental in opening up the JB world to skaters far beyond Chicago, the US. Here in London, more and more skaters are getting interested in learning the JB style. It's become very well known here, with skaters frequently trying out these elusive JB moves.
➡️ Watch me have a go at learning the Short Step!
We might not be from Chicago, but we’re starting to capture its essence, and of course, we’ll eventually make it our own, a JB inspired style of our own. But who knows, those of us who choose to take the time to learn JB from the source may be showcasing a true JB style — right here in London.
That’s the beauty of skate culture — it is continually evolving, it traverses geographical boundaries and it unites.
A Bit of JB Background
What is JB skating?
“JB” stands for James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, whose music inspired the early Chicago skaters in the late 1960s and early 1970s. JB skating is all about funk, rhythm, musicality, and intricate footwork — a fusion of dance and pure swag.
The Chicago Connection
It’s said that JB skating took root at Chicago’s legendary rinks like The Rink and Markham Roller Rink, where local skaters developed their own skating style that stood apart from disco or speed skating, and keyed into Soul Funk music, particularly that of James Brown.
Key Players
Malik Thomas – founder of JB Skate Chicago, educator [who also offers JB tuition online], and one of Chicago's most recognised and talented JB skaters [within the global skating community].
Smooth Goddess (Myesha) – known for her technically advanced, yet fluid, soulful, feminine JB style and command of the floor. You can book JB lessons Inspired By Favor with Myesha online.
Lono Span – teacher, innovator, and new face of JB education for the global skate community. Lono also runs an online JB school.
Together, these skaters have brought JB from the local rinks of Chicago to international recognition — inspiring new generations of skaters, including those of us here in London, to learn, adapt, and keep the funk alive.
I’m feeling hopeful about continuing to grow my JB inspired style right here in North London! I can now see how far I’ve come — and what I need to work on to take my JB flow to the next level, so watch this space [lessons with one of my favourite JB influencers perhaps?]. I'm certainly not there yet, but when I do arrive, you'll definitely be among the first to know! 🔥
Kelly
Cranial Osteopath | Wellbeing Coach | Roller Skate Instructor
💬 Have you tried the JB style yet? Is JB on your to do list? If so why? Share your thoughts and comments below.
