interview by Dan the Man

What do they call you? Where you from?
Dwayne Fagundes or Dmoney… I’m from Porto Alegre, Brazil, it’s down south, in the last state called Rio Grande do Sul. Porto Alegre is the capital.

What was it like growing up there? And when did you start skating?
It’s super dope, my city is not too big like São Paulo and not too small… if you tryna compare with some place in US, I think it looks like a little bit of Houston and ATL mix… there’s a bunch of things to do, and my state is super famous for the BBQ scene. I started to skate at eight or nine years old in my street when I saw my neighbor skating. After that, I learned to ollie with his board, and my parents gave me my first skateboard right after. I was the kind of kid who did everything… I played soccer in a big team called Internacional, played capoeira, basketball, but skateboarding really got me, and it turned into my real love.

Who got you in the game? First sponsor?
My first sponsor was my friend’s father. He made some boards in his house and gave me one per month. After that I started to get some “Bastard wear” clothing and with time a lot of doors opened. Then Circa started distribution in Brazil, and I gave my sponsor tape to the TM. I was saving some money already to come to the States to skate, film, and get sponsors. Someone put my video on YouTube right when YouTube dropped, and I showed my video to Joey Suriel (the Diamond TM at the time) and he hooked me up on Diamond two days later. Joey showed my video to Stevie, Stevie called Rodrigo Lima asking about me, and the next thing I know, they sent me to ATL to get to know me better and see if I fit on the team. The rest is history… God was really looking out for me and gave me the light… Everything happened in two weeks!!

Favorite spot out there to skate?
IAPI skate plaza and Orla de Ipanema.

What’s a typical day in your hometown like?
A typical day for me is wake up, smoke some good spliff, start my training for like an hour, than lunch, and skate… after this you never know, maybe with the homies from the car scene, maybe some bar, or club, maybe chillin with my girl, or maybe more skate…

Your pops is a hip hop DJ out there?
Yeah, he is the first black music DJ from my state, or maybe from the south of Brazil, 56 years active and still playing… He is 70 years old now and he is the best.

You spent some time in the USA. What were your favorite spots / cities you went to?
When I got to the USA my first time in ‘08 I stayed in Orange County, California for six months and then I went to ATL and stayed there in the DGK crib until it was over. I liked the black ledges in ATL but I loved to skate at Pulaski in DC, that spot was amazing!!

Who were your influences in skating growing up?
My influences were my friends, Cezar Gordo, Marcus Cida (pros and owners of Matriz Skateshop) and for sure Rafael Dias he was the best!

Top five skaters?
Stevie Williams, Josh Kalis, Cezar Gordo, Gustavo Malagoli, Rodrigo Petersen.

Top five rappers?
Max B, French Montana, Nipsey Hussle, Rick Ross, 50 Cent, Mano Brown, Larry June… My bad but I have seven.

Top five video Parts?
Stevie Williams “The DC video”
Josh Kalis “Photosynthesis”
Rodrigo Tx and Fábio Cristiano “Duotone”
Bruno Aguero “Interferência”
Rodrigo Petersen “Give Me My Money Chico”

Favorite WWF wrestler?
I like the Undertaker on WWF… now on WWE, I like the Street Profits and Seth Freakin Rollins.

What was the last skate trip you went on?
My last trip was to São Paulo to film for the new Öus project for their 18 year anniversary.

São Paulo or Rio?
São Paulo for sure!! It’s my second home.

East Coast or West Coast?
East Coast, I loved the East cause for me it’s more street. Rough and raw, the scene is different.

Are you working on any video parts right now?
Yeah, I’m about to drop a lil remix from the last Öus vídeo called “Autodidatas”. Gonna drop another one with some good leftovers soon, the name is “Faz o Pix” (“Deposit my money”) and I’m tryna drop another thing with some good new clips at the end of the year or beginning of 2027.

Do you plan on coming back to USA any time soon?
Yeah, I have to get my visa again since they deported me. I tried like four or five times, but now 16 years have passed, so I’ll probably try again soon. I just wanna go to skate, see my friends, grab a lot of products, and come back. The dream to live there is over… I’m older now and a lot of things have changed, especially my mind about skateboarding and the industry.

Sponsors / Shout outs?
Öus, DGK, 550 Wheels, Bones Bearings, Diamond Supply, Venture, and Street Talk shop (my business). Big shoutout to my sponsors, family, friends, and you guys for the space.

What’s your plan for the next year?
Skate more, take a couple trips, drop another project, and make some real money with the things I’m creating here on the low low… because this skate industry is fucked, unfortunately.