Kardinal Offishall comes from the T-dot—that’s Toronto, for those who don’t know—and if the hip-hop game was a game of basketball, he’d get a T for the nastiness that comes out his mouth. So do the right thing and see what he has to say about Do the Right Thing the movie, and then check his Do the Right Thing mixtape with Clinton Sparks at myspace.com/kardinaloffishall.
First pair that made you say, “Wow, I need those.”
It was definitely adidas Shelltoes! Once I saw Run-DMC wit those? Forget it.
Favorite pair?
A pair of custom-design high-cut AF1s, black wit’ the gum sole. Murdered by C-Williams.
Favorite box/packaging?
The Jordans that came in the metal suitcase!
Favorite sneaker lyric?
“My adidas” by Run-DMC.
Thing you hate about sneakers?
Anybody can get ’em, so when a lame is wearing something fresh, it brings down the sneaker real estate.
Thing you love about sneakers?
They can come in so many colors, so there’s always a way to find an improved version of what you got already.
Personal sneaker rule?
Dirty? Don’t wear ’em outside the gates.
Do you have a pair that you’ve never worn?
Yes, a limited edition (and numbered) AF1 that Nike sent to me that was voted “Favorite AF1.”
You get to design a sneaker with one designer. Who would it be?
Whoever designed them Spizzikes!
Favorite sneaker shop?
Bodega in Boston. They always have the freshest styles. And sizes.
Thoughts on the current sneaker culture?
It’s a little outta hand. Perpetrators are pretending to be collectors, but they runnin’ wit’ re-issued joints…
Favorite sneaker scene from a movie?
When Buggin’ Out got his Js fucked up by the white boy carrying his bike in Do The Right Thing!
Favorite sneaker commercial?
Jordan and Mars Blackmon for Air Jordans.
Pair that you still can’t find in your size?
The black Spizzikes with the red and green trim. Help anyone?
What’re you wearing right now?
A pair of Nike iD Dunks.
How many pairs you own?
I give away my shoes to the needy after they wrinkle or get mad dirty beyond repair, so the number fluctuates. I feel it’s a sin to just have thousands of shoes you never wear, but that’s just me…
If you’re not wearing sneakers, what’s on your feet?
Clarks, all the way!
