Adelmo Jr.: "respect everyone, no matter what" - Heads - Interview

Thrasher Magazine, Nov, 2002 by Shelby Woods

You kinda lag a lot. What's up with that?

People where I come from are real relaxed, really chill. It's not like it's a lagger or anything, just "Ah, okay ... let's do a little bit here and there..."

I'm gonna bring up the Europe trip and you guys making us miss the plane. What were you doing?

That was kinda crazy 'cause we were going to meet up at my house at 2:30, but the guys changed the time of the flight--I'm not really sure--and they called everyone and said, "Oh, let's meet up earlier." Everyone said OK, so I went swimming and then I was riding my bike to dry, and when the guys got to my house I was riding a bike around my house and everyone was like, "Man, we gotta go." So I went to my apartment to have lunch and they went to have lunch and when we got to the airport it was too late.

Yeah it was, and this was for a international flight.

Yeah.

So we managed to miss the plane going and coming back.

Yeah. Our tickets got canceled since we missed the plane coming. Only four could go on the plane, so me and Andre stayed an extra night, but it was pretty cool--we got a free room and they paid for food.

Now for the skate related questions: I heard you got some KOs for the video.

Yeah, it's going to be really good, man. I'm really happy with everything. Everybody's really concentrating on the video, just having fun, skating; it's a beautiful thing.

So who's killin' it in the video?

Oh man, everybody Bryan, Casey, Andre, Steve, Joey, Malcom, Daniel, Rodney, Junichi from Japan--everyone. It's gonna be a really dope video.

So what KOs you got?

You gotta wait and see, man.

What's the video gonna be called?

Uh, Who.

The video.

Yeah. Who.

Yeah, the video, what's the video going to be called?

What's the video going to be called? Who.

The video?

The Who video.

Nah, I'm just fuckin' wit ya. How many languages do you speak?

In Brazil we speak Portuguese. I can speak English and I know a little French--not really good. but I can hold a conversation. And Spanish 'cause it uses a lot of Portuguese, so I went to a school to learn Spanish.

Where's your lady friend at?

She's in Brazil, man. I miss her so much, but she can't come right now 'cause her father is really strict and we got to get married for her to come. So just leave it in God's hand and when the Lord says it's time to get married, she will come.

You get on really well with people. I've seen you work your magic in some of the craziest of situations.

It's what the people say, the "Brazil way."

Brazilian hospitality.

Brazilian magic.

Why are Brazilians so nice?

Just respect everyone, no matter what.

So you're a Rasta?

I'm really into the message of Rastafari. In Brazil we have a lot of inspiration about Rastafari, like the area where I come from--Aracaju, north east of Brazil--there's a lot of people from Africa. Africans were brought to Brazil as slaves 500 years ago and the roots are still there--still fighting for survival. So the Rastafari are a big influence to the Brazilian people.

How long did it take to acquire the dreads?

Like a year and eight months. Since I was a little kid, all the time I was trying to grow dreads--the school I went to, the teachers made me cut my hair off 'cause in Brazil it's real strict about certain kind of things.

So dreadlocks are illegal?

Not illegal, but some schools, if you have long hair they make you cut it off.

For a dude who doesn't puff weed at all, you still have a stoner trait.

I don't know. I don't smoke but people say "Man, you're a born stoner," and I'm like, "Oh no."

Who's your favorite Rasta skater?

Karl Watson is a big inspiration for me.

What about Jef Hartsel?

All the Rasta skaters.

How's Costa Mesa?

I moved in with Rodrigo nine months ago--me, Rodrigo, and a friend who doesn't skate--and it's where a lot of Brazilians live, so it's kinda like a home away from home.

Much respect?

First of all my big inspiration from God. Thanks God for everything, like everything he always do for me my whole life. Thank you very much God, my family, my dad, my mom, my brother, my sister. They helped me a lot. My love, my girlfriend; thanks Donnie a lot; and all my friends here and from Brazil; and all my sponsors, the guys support me a lot. I'm having a lot of fun skating, living my dream. Thank you very much everyone.