43 Forever – In Memory of Ken Block

Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Ken Block made his mark on skateboarding and streetwear as a successful entrepreneur in the early 1990s. Working closely alongside business partner Damon Way, he co-founded some of the day’s most influential apparel and footwear brands, including Eightball Clothing, Droors Clothing, DC Shoes, Type A Snowboards, and Dub Brand Outerwear. The DC Shoes Company proved one of the most successful business ventures in boardsports history, and Block and Way sold the brand to Quiksilver in 2004 for a reported $88 million.

In the early 2000s, Block pursued his love for racing sports as a rallycross driver and competed in the FIA World Rallycross Championships. He also established his own motorsport company, Hoonigan Industries, as a new type of lifestyle brand for motorsports fanatics, infused with the spirit of action sports, and represented Monster Energy as a pro athlete.

On social media, over the past 15 years, Block built a following of millions of viewers worldwide with the series of ‘Gymkhana’ videos documenting fast-paced stunts and ‘drift’ precision driving in urban environments. Over the years, the ‘Gymkhana’ video series has generated more than 550 million views with inconceivable stunts and boundary-breaking feats on wheels.

“This is a very sad day for the Monster Family,” added Vice Chairman and Co-CEO Hilton Schlosberg. “We have lost one of our OGs… Ken was one of our first, one of our biggest, and one of our best. And he was a true gentleman. He was a very special individual who pulled off the most incredible feats. Although the man left us far too soon, his name will live on forever. I can’t believe I’m writing these words today… he will be very sorely missed. Our deepest condolences to Ken’s beautiful wife Lucy, and his amazing children Lia, Kira, and Mika. Rest in peace, my friend.”