ONE SMALL SEED MAGAZINE Issue #29 Digital 04 THE BEST OF | Page 8
TELL US ABOUT BECOMING A SNEAKERHEAD/DESIGNER/
INFLUENCER?
I got into sneakers in 1975 when I was nine years old. I wanted to be cool.
When I dove heavy into playing basketball in the 1980s, I wanted to be
different and unique. I became an influencer in 1990 when I wrote the
first article in media history about sneaker culture. It was published in the
“Source Magazine”. As a designer, that started in 1980 when I decided
to paint my sneakers in colours that weren’t available at the local shops.
That’s what got me a rep in the hip-hop world by the late ’80s. I was
wearing sneakers that no one else had, or no one knew existed, ha ha.
DID YOU EVER GET CHASED OR GET IN A FIGHT FOR A
PAIR OF SNEAKERS? IF NOT, HAVE YOU EVER WITNESSED
IT?
Never. People usually fight over popular sneakers. I’ve always been
more prone to wear models and brands that others wouldn’t think to
own. I’ve never seen anyone get jumped for their sneakers, but I have
seen kids walking home with their socks on unfortunately. That was in the
’80s when NYC was ruthless. The city is safer now for the most part.
HOW MANY PAIRS OF SNEAKERS DO YOU OWN?
Not many at all. I actively donate to non-profit organisations that help
get sneakers to developing or disaster-struck areas. Please do the same
if you own too many sneakers yourself. They take new, lightly worn, or
beat up shoes. All are helpful. (Check out www.vsoles4souls.org, www.
samaritansfeet.org and www.hoopsafrica.org)
HAVE YOU EVER HAD A FALLING-OUT WITH SOMEONE
OVER A PAIR OF SNEAKERS?
Never, and never would or will. It’s not that serious. I used to get mad
back in the day when I was younger if someone stepped on my sneakers
when they were fresh out the box. That’s because I didn’t have much
money, so the mind set was to make your sneakers last looking clean as
long as possible. Nowadays, scruffs are fine. I’ve seen plenty of ballplayers
throughout the world play barefooted in 100-degree heat, on concrete.
Changes your perspective.