As a runner sped by Kevin Randolph on the Atlanta BeltLine, the 61-year-old rollerblader held out his hand for a high five with a broad smile. It was one of many he’d given in 20 minutes. He pointed out that it had been a while since he’d seen that particular runner on the multi-use trail. A woman rolled by on a bicycle and received her celebratory high five from Randolph. “Can you believe she’s 78?” he said. Another man walked by and gasped.
“You’re TikTok Kevin. You’re a legend.”
Randolph, also known as “BeltLine Kevin,” has become a popular fixture on the Atlanta BeltLine. Spotting him is like finding treasure, but maybe less inconspicuous. You’ll likely hear Randolph before you see him as he belts out a wide range of pop tunes such as “Party in the U.S.A.” and engages in impromptu duets and conversation with people walking, running or biking on the trail.
It’s rare to run into him without rollerblades on his feet and a pair of his iconic red Beats headphones fit snugly on his ears. When The Atlanta Voice met up with Randolph one Monday afternoon, he wore a t-shirt that read “Celebrate Love” and donned rollerblades with rainbow laces.
It encapsulates everything Randolph has become to the city — a beloved source of infectious positivity and light. From lists naming him as one of the best things on the BeltLine to being a must-complete task on scavenger hunts, Randolph has been putting a smile on the faces of locals and tourists for nearly a decade. That light has now earned him a mural on the Eastside Trail near Old Fourth Ward, painted by artist Matthew Jerome Simpson.
“I couldn’t believe it. I thought that was awesome. You know, I’m like, why me?” Randolph said of the mural that depicts him surrounded by purple rollerblades, smiling with his headphones wrapped around his neck.
Randolph realized he was becoming popular on social media when people started telling him he needed to create an account. His confusion grew as he never intended to become a figure of sorts; he just wanted to encourage unity among others. It wasn’t until a TikTok video by @VicBlends, a barber and podcast host, went viral in early 2024 that “BeltLine Kevin” started gaining traction, especially with younger people who regularly take videos of and with him as he passes them on the trail.
Randolph has become a friend to all, and it’s a journey the Westside, Chicago, native said he never imagined.
Years before he was gliding up and down the city’s trail morning and night, Randolph’s focus was on acing his chemistry tests in school, staying out of trouble, and away from the influence of gangs in his hometown neighborhood. When he graduated from high school, he found himself at a loss for what his next steps would be. Though he was smart, his options were limited; Randolph shared that his parents didn’t have enough money to send him to a prestigious school and didn’t push him to attend college.
He ultimately decided to join the Navy to further his education and later taught advanced electrical courses on submarines. After he left the Navy, he moved to Atlanta in 1997. He began teaching English and Spanish in Metro Atlanta middle schools and math and computers at The Art of Institute of Atlanta before it shut down.
“Most people don’t know I’m intelligent. I have a bachelor’s in computer science, a master’s in math, and a real estate license. They just think I’m out here singing ‘Party in the U.S.A.’ I don’t, say, ‘Hey, I’m smart.’ I know I am, so I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. But a lot of people assume incorrectly. I’m pretty much fluent in Spanish and know a lot of German.”
Amid his educational endeavors, entertainment and fitness were always at the forefront. He sang in a gay men’s choir in the ‘90s, did gymnastics and ran half-marathons until arthritis in his knees forced him to give up running and pick up the skates.
Now a retiree, Randolph said he can skate for hours along the trail without getting tired, his voice, energy and joy rarely waning. Where does that joy come from? His gratitude for life and love of people.
“I’ve always been a performer, and it makes me happy to see other people happy. I don’t want to see other people miserable.
“I had a really bad illness in 2007 and almost died, so I’m just happy to be here. I’m thankful that God has me still here and able to greet people, but you just never know what people are going through. That’s my thing. Even when I’m not happy, I come out here and I get happy because I put smiles on people’s faces. One couple was following me, and they said, ‘You should have seen how many people were smiling once you went by,’ and it makes me feel good. I don’t do it for vanity’s sake.”
Randolph believes there’s so much more that needs to be done in the world to enact change and promote unity, and he hopes the visibility the new mural gives him can help him continue promoting his brand of happiness.
“Everybody wants to feel needed. My whole life, I knew I was different, and it doesn’t bother me, because I’ve never wanted to be like everybody else. I’ve always been unique.”