We have watched the sneaker world explode from a quiet subculture to a global, multibillion dollar phenomenon over the course of the past four decades. While the products themselves have increased in quality and social impact, creating amazing financial gains for the industry overall, what remains to be said about the “original” modes of sneaker culture? We know that the culture is not dead, so we are choosing to explore its recent evolutions to gain a greater understanding of this world we inhabit.
NYC native and world-renowned DJ Bobbito Garcia is the critically acclaimed author of Where’d You Get Those? NYC’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987 (Testify Books). The former NY Knicks/MSGNetwork halftime reporter was the voice of EA Sports’ popular NBA Street video game and TV host of ESPN’s “It’s the Shoes” series. In 2007, Nike released seven co-designed Air Force 1 sneakers bearing his signature. As an award-winning filmmaker, Garcia has directed two documentaries, Doin’ It In The Park: Pick-Up Basketball, NYC and Stretch And Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives. Currently, “Kool Bob Love” produces his tournament Full Court 21™ All World in four continents.