On Friday, July 17, I traveled to Hamamatsu for a Chemistry Collective event.
When we arrived at the venue, people were lining up to meet Jason Bennett from Chemistry Collective / Chemistry Surfboards.
I knew Jason was a surfboard shaper, but I had no idea how deeply respected he is in the surfing world. People were lining up just to meet him!
It reminded me of the day before in Tokyo, where people had lined up to have Thes One (of People Under The Stairs) sign their records.
Different worlds.
Different crafts.
The same kind of respect.
The following morning, KGB—who organized the Hamamatsu event and is also a professional surfer—drove us to his surf shop, Underground Surf Shop.
Along the way, I asked him how someone becomes a professional surfer in Japan.
His answer stayed with me.
There is no interview.
No written test.
No application.
You become one by beating professionals in competition.
I loved how simple and real that was.
It made me wonder what it means to be a professional beatmaker.
Is it making a living from music?
Releasing records?
Touring the world?
Maybe.
But none of those answers felt complete.
Then I realized that the people I admire most—whether they make records or shape surfboards—have something in common.
They are craftsmen.
Maybe that’s what I’ve been chasing all along.
Chikara
August 17, 2026
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