You can’t miss Brandon Scott James’ warmth and friendliness—even through the phone, I can sense it as soon as he picks up.
The notable skateboarder is in a great mood, and I get the feeling that this is his everyday attitude—the multihyphenate creative has an undeniable enthusiasm and positivity for life that’s contagious (just hit play on the video to witness it yourself).
True to his nature, the first words out of his mouth are “wah gwan,” before a brief pause allows me to eavesdrop on the busy sounds of New York City in the background. James’ is on the move—the norm for him on any given day.
“This whole city has the name The City That Never Sleeps,” he tells me. “New York has a very fast pace in terms of work ethic. You either get chewed up, or you get glorified. You got to make or break.”
And since he was a kid, James has been in motion, tirelessly working to carve out an Original lane for himself. After moving to The Bronx from Jamaica at seven, he dabbled in everything from bike riding to basketball. He even had a short stint while at university studying auto body mechanics and playing Division 3 basketball before deciding it wasn’t for him.
Returning to the city, he quickly found his passion for skateboarding and dedicated himself to it. One popular clothing brand and a social media handle turned nickname (NevaSkimp) later, and James has cemented his place in the city as someone many look up to. Someone who people call an Original.
“Realistically, once you're Original, you're going to be something that people are going to attempt to replicate because you're now an image that people have found as a different outlook,” James says. “You've appealed to them in a certain way. You've inspired them to be like you.”
Keep reading to learn more about his brand, his creative process, and the advice he stands by.
It’s not uncommon for people to refer to you as one-of-one. You even carefully crafted your own nickname. Where did the idea for your alias, NevaSkimp, come from?
I made that handle when I came back from college. Prior to me leaving, me and all my friends—you could ask about this all over New York City—we make lingo, and we were trending. People take the lingo that we make, and they use it all around.
When you’re skating and doing a trick, and you don't execute it the right way, they will say, "Yo, that was skimp." That word was lingering around in my head for a while, so I was like, what can I use with that word? And I was like, "never." The “er” sounds too properly pronounced, so I'm like, maybe I could do Neva, like, I'll never do this, I'll never slack, I'll never fold, or I'll never fail. Whatever I'm going to do, I'm applying myself the best way I can so I can win. You know? That was two, almost three years ago, and it stuck from then. Now, people call me that more than my name.
How did you first get into skateboarding?
[Growing up] I played basketball and rode bikes around in my hood, causing a little mischief, little simple boy antics. They used to have [a sports competition] playing on ABC7, and I remember I saw them skating, and I was like, damn, skating looks mad fun, too. I'm going to try to get a skateboard soon.
The first time I ever stepped on a skateboard, I didn't fall. I stood on the board and started spacewalking, just like tick-tacking on the board. And then that was that. I don't think I ever stopped skating since that day.
You’re clearly a natural. In 2021, you started your clothing brand, Olympiann, which encourages people to be the best that they can be. What led you to do that?
My friend always wanted me to skate for Jamaica or the U.S.. I'm like, "Bro, I got faith in myself, but that's pretty far-fetched." Since he was always telling me to do that, I [thought] what if I made [a] brand called Olympiann, and I could make it skate-inspired athletic wear.
I wanted to make something that appeals to everybody through streetwear [with] the high-end fashion look, where people can wear it as an inexpensive or expensive item so I can include everybody. I made a concept [so] it appeals to the people who don't feel included in everything. Everybody isn't an athlete, but everyone can be an Olympian.
What do you think your younger self would think of where you are now?
My younger self knew I was going to be here. I've been drawing since I was nine years old. I have an artist in my family, and I have a seamstress in my family. There's a bunch of creatives there. Even my mom draws. My mom is an amazing woman [and there is just] certain stuff she did and didn't do. Whatever she didn't do, I'm going to do so I can make a way for her.
You’re always looking out for others—it’s admirable. What does it mean to you to be an Original?
Unduplicable. Realistically, once you’re Original, you’re going to be something that people are going to attempt to replicate because you’re now an image that people have found as a different outlook. You’ve appealed to them in a certain way. You’ve inspired them to be like you.
Be your best self. Always smile, always be happy you woke up. Be fortunate for the things you do [and] for the things you get.
What advice would you give to the future generations of creatives?
Never listen to anybody's opinion; always listen to people's advice.
