Ke’Chaud Johnson was more than just a phenomenal athlete; he was family. He always arrived with incredible dedication and passion that shone brightly on the court.
Since his debut at the festival alongside his mentor, Greg Lutzka, Ke'Chaud's sheer passion and incredible horse power made him a standout. Over the years, we witnessed him evolve, stepping into a mentor role similar to the one Greg provided, often taking others under his wing. His youngest brother, Kai’Tauri, recalls that "Chaudie" was always ready to meet people where they were: "He had a way of never making people feel like they weren't worth listening to, and always made time to help whenever." He was known for a completely unique style: hitting rails going up that others would only consider going down, and effortlessly popping gaps that seemed impossible to everyone else.
If we had to choose a key moment that best describes his style and tricks, it could be his Gap to Lipslide on the big rail in Virginia Beach that took the crowd by storm, but there are too many moments to think of. For his oldest brother, Adrian, this location is deeply personal. As shared by Ke’Chaud’s mother, Adrian notes: "Jackalope Virginia Beach is special for him because we used to live in the Virginia Beach area years ago. It’s going to be a nostalgic moment for he and my family." Adrian adds that Ke’Chaud was an awesome person and a great brother, saying, "it was much fun to watch him skate, and it made me happy to watch but, most importantly the impact he has had even after he is gone."
In 2023, shortly after JACKALOPE Montreal, we were deeply saddened to learn of Ke’chaud’s passing. We knew we had to find a way to truly honor his memory.
This tee, available in military green, immortalizes his legendary ollie captured during the 2023 Montreal edition at the Olympic Stadium.
100% of the profits from this shirt will be donated to the Children's Hospital of Dallas. This choice was made by his mother, Barbara, to honor her son's lifelong generosity towards children.
Ke’Chaud left an incredible mark on the JACKALOPE history and in the community's heart. We are pleased to be able to support a cause that was important to him.
WE LOVE YOU KE'CHAUD !
Q&A with Dan Mathieu
The Montreal photographer behind the photo on the tee.
How long have you been shooting with JACKALOPE?
I think I’ve shot every single JACKALOPE in Montreal, except maybe one. So, right from the very beginning.
What are your memories of the 2023 edition?
I really enjoyed shooting the 2023 edition because the street course used the Vans skatepark, and the layout allowed for some really cool shots with the Stadium in the background. There were also great angles to get the crowd into the images.
How would you describe Ke’chaud in your own words?
I didn’t know Ke’chaud super well; I’d only cross paths with him at JACKALOPE and we’d trade a few jokes on the street course. But he was always super stoked to be in Montreal and always down to shoot. It’s always appreciated when a skater lets you know in advance that they’re about to pull a trick that’s going to look good on camera.
What was your setup that day? Any specific challenges, or was it a dream setup?
It was just after golden hour. It was starting to get dark, but the sky was still interesting with a slightly slow shutter speed. I had a fisheye on and was holding a flash by hand to "freeze" the action. I don't remember seeing Ke’chaud try that ollie earlier in the day. During his run, he passed by me and said: “I’m gonna ollie the whole thing.” I wasn't exactly sure what he meant, but based on his line, I realized he was going to ollie over that weird pyramid. I was still pretty far from the obstacle when he told me, so I ran toward it. In my head, I’m thinking: Is he goofy or regular? Okay, I’ll shoot from this side. It’s a big obstacle, so my flash is going to need more power.
I barely had time to get into position before capturing Ke’chaud mid-air.
Do you remember what made this photo "make the cut" in your selection that night?
The photo made the cut because that ollie is fucking gnar, haha.
Want to share a link to your portfolio?
One day I’ll have a proper website, I just need another 10–15 years to finish it... In the meantime: @danmathieu on Instagram.
