Interview with Nardelli - Zoo York Team Manager

Back in issue 110 of Ride UK, Zoo York ran an advert showing a bunch of the USA contest crew rocking Stephen Murray T-shirts. Stephen doesn't ride for ZY and never has, so for a company to spend money advertising is a noble thing to do. We wanted to know a little more so we sent US team manager Nardelli a few questions...


Nardelli sporting a Stephen Murray bracelet...

What is Zoo York?
Zoo York is Half Guts, Half New York…it’s a collective that everyday wakes up and rides, drops in, tags, designs, gets busy.

What's the concept behind the name Zoo York?
The name was born in the 80’s from the purity of a crew doing what a crew does in the streets, you know. ZOO YORK was a phrase repping NYC’s underground. By the time the 90’s came around the name “Zoo York” was established as a brand heavily tied in with the early roots of new york’s hip-hop and skating scene. As mentioned earlier, its half guts, half nyc.

When did you [Zoo] get involved with BMX?
Zoo’s been involved with BMX since the day it started, before I was here at the ZOO. I remember meeting Rodney Smith the founder of the brand ZOO YORK in the early 90’s when he was passing by Union Square at like 10 AM on a Saturday. I was young and up early skating the small rails in the front. I’m skating and this big dude (Rodney) with a bike tube over his shoulder passes by me and asked what my deal was. I told him I rode for a company out of Jerz and he said he was starting a company called ZOO YORK. I wished him “Good Luck” and he hit me back with a “I don’t need Luck”. I was like damn!, this dude is serious and soon enough Zoo York was blowing up! I think to answer your question BMX was in the works since 93, but the program fully got off the ground around 98ish and I didn’t become a Zoo Yorker till way later.


Some of the Zoo York team and friends...

Who's on the BMX program?
The immediate crew is Edwin De La Rosa, Vinnie Sammon & Ruel “Wormz” Smith who we fully back and then there’s some immediate family like Tyrone, Dave Belcher & Marlon who are part of the squad and get hooked up. We had in the past Cory Nastazio, Jamie Bestwick, & Robbie Morales on the BMX squad that killed different terrain and should definitely be mentioned in the evolution of the ZOO BMX program.

Why did you run an ad for Stephen Murray if he's not on the team?
To start, no matter who you ride for, when a tragedy hits we’re all on the same team. The world is small and within our crews even smaller, so it hits home, gives me chills and makes my heart sink everytime someone like Stephen gets injured. It was an opportunity for us to voice an image that we here at ZOO felt represents what is often overlooked amongst the hype, the brotherhood. It was our gesture to pitch in and share an image that carried the spirit of a hero like Stephen. I’ve been reading and following Stephen’s recovery reports. His strength to maintain and to hold it down is god-like.


The Stephen Murray support advert from issue 110...

What are your plans for Zoo York and BMX in the US/UK?
I’m looking to build our rider Vinnie Sammon into a TM role for our crew and help keep Zoo’s BMX momentum stronger with his dedication. As I bust other projects for ZOO, Vinnie will focus on raising more BMX projects both locally and throughout the BMX scene. We’re looking to release some unique signature product with Edwin De La Rosa, help get Edwins’ shop “Post” in Brooklyn launched, do the Down & Dirty contest again and run this underground contest that Vinnie wants to rig. For the UK specifically, I think we’re due for a visit. Maybe a cover shot and a juicy NYC article for the UK?. In the meantime, crush spots here on the east and work towards a UK trip soon!
Peace from the True East!

You can donate to the Stephen Murray fund by going here - http://stephenmurrayfamilyfund.com/

And Zoo York is here - http://www.zooyork.com/

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