Esoteric took some time off from rapping over 7L’s beats and making Japan-infused albums like Esoteric vs Japan to tell us what he was wearing when he said “I do” and why you might wish you were his dog—or housekeeping at a hotel. I bet you a fresh pair of kicks that you’ll be surprised at what type of footwear he calls comfortable. Find him at myspace.com/7lesoteric.

First pair that made you say, “Wow, I need those.”
The first pair of Air Jordans.

Favorite pair?
Jordan IVs.

Best box/packaging?
The Pushead Dunks probably.

Your favorite sneaker lyric by you?
“Exclusive Nikes ain’t exclusive, if they’re found on the feet of every doofus.”

Your favorite sneaker lyric by someone else?
“Her ass is gonna read these Nikes.” Geto Boys.

Thing you hate about sneakers?
The false sense of arrogance it gives people. Going on eBay and being the first to “Buy It Now” or waiting in line for kicks doesn’t make you cool, it makes you desperate to be down.

Thing you love about sneakers?
The nostalgic angle used in making them, like when Nigo blew up Bape by putting a fairly creative spin on Air Force 1s.

Personal sneaker rule?
Never settle for a smaller size because the sneakers are dope. I have bought 11s in the past because it was the only size left, but I never wore them because they hurt.

Have a pair that you’ve never worn?
No, I don’t believe in keeping them on ice. That’s a slap in the face to everyone involved (me, the designer, and certainly the manufacturer).

You get to design a sneaker with one designer, who would it be?
Frank Miller.

Favorite sneaker shop?
Concepts in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Deon takes good care of that place.

Thoughts on the current sneaker culture?
I think once you attach the word “culture” to anything materialistic and make a story about it, it has already been dead for a few years.

Favorite sneaker commercial?
The Converse “Weapons Rap” with Bird, Magic, McHale, Mark Aguirre, Bernard King, and that weasel from the Pistons.

What are you wearing right now?
Those Army Pack Jordan 1s.

When you go out on tour, how many pairs do you take with you?
Four or five, but I’m famous for leaving them in the hotels, so I buy new ones on the road.

When do you not wear sneakers?
I was married in Nikes, so that about says it.

If you’re not wearing sneakers, what’s on your feet?
Gucci, Prada or Crocs. I don’t care what anyone says about Crocs—they’re mad comfy!

This Feature is also available in Vapors 49 – The Sneaks Issue