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How Jack Johnson Became a Singer, Not a Surfer

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Could the Grammy-winning beach icon have been the next Kelly Slater?

Internationally acclaimed musician Jack Johnson dropped his eighth studio album in June 2022. But in a parallel universe, he’s probably a pro-league surfer.

“I never dreamed I was gonna have a musical career,” Johnson shrugs. “It was surfing first, and when the waves were drunk, I played guitar.”

In this short edit, ESPN sits down with the “Banana Pancakes” man to talk surf, songs, and where the two commingle.

Runtime: 10 minutes

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