My First Kicks

This week I am joined by Hawaii Mike, we talk about his journey with sneakers. From working at a sneaker store to falling in love with being fresh. How he came from music and continues to share his love of music. Having legendary moments at The Source and working with DJ Clark Kent. How sneakers lead to him meeting his wife and what Paragon was like back in the day. What ownership and collaboration really means and how opportunities have found him. Plus a whole ton more!

Follow Mike:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/hwmk/

Check out Hip Hop is a Fad: IG: https://www.instagram.com/hiphopisafad/

Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by Salehe Bembury, we talk about his journey with sneakers. Growing up in Tribeca and sharing New York stories. What streetwear was like growing up. We touch on his journey working with in the footwear industry. How he has been able to consistently create and change footwear. We go through his book, I Make Shoes. Touching on each stop in his journey and what he learned from it. What he doesn't like about list and what separates him as a footwear designer. Plus a whole ton more!  

Follow Salehe: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/salehebembury/  

Follow Spunge IG: https://www.instagram.com/beaspunge/ 

Cop Something: https://beaspunge.com/  

Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks   

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by Stan Birch, we talk about his early days customizing. Growing up in the south of France and betting on himself. How he broke the news to his mother about pursuing his passion. The moment he felt it clicked for him, then him switching to try something new. How creating varsity's lead him back to creating shoes. What is the difference between Paris Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. He literally flew here to do the podcast so we talk about EVERYTHING!

Follow Stan:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/staniflou/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/stanbirch__/

Cop Something: https://stanbirch.com/

Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by the legend Mike Packer, we talk about his journey with Packer. Growing up in the sneaker industry and being part of a family owned business. The moment he decided that he wanted to take over the family business. Why Packer has become a mainstay with in the sneaker industry. What it takes to create a loyal customer base. How that customer base became integral for their recent Air Force 1 exhibit. Plus a whole ton more!

Follow Mike:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mikepacker_/

Packer IG: https://www.instagram.com/packer/

Shop Packer: https://packershoes.com/

Shot by Jay Dimino 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/bydimino/ 

Website: https://www.bydimino.com/

Follow The Pod: 

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by my friend Sango, as we catch up talking about his newest album Rhythm & Melody. He shares what lead him to wanting to put out the album. I also share with him how it looks through my eyes seeing him perform. We also break down his newest album and talk about what really connected to us. The inspiration of the album, why he feels like producer albums are rare and underrated. What it has been like since he dropped the album. Also what it was like to play it for Nas and much more!  

Follow Sango: IG: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/ 

Buy the album: https://shop.massappeal.com/products/sango-rhythm-melody-2xlp-one-black-one-white?srsltid=AfmBOoqKWZvAmdxHba63-jYO1AgEq06shyhYJJiaKF5B5DKUMboCPjYp  

Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks   

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by VP of Jordan Visioneering & LA28 at Jordan Brand, Jason Mayden. We touch on his journey, growing up in the south side of Chicago. How he didn't let not being able to get things stop him from creating them. Becoming the first intern at Jordan brand, and a wild interaction with Michael Jordan. What it has been like to work with Jordan and how the creation of the Air Jordan 40 and 41 came to be. We also get a early look at the Jordan 41 and breakdown of the design. Where is never take no as an answer attitude comes from and so much more!  

Follow Jason Mayden: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/jasonmayden/ 

Jordan Brand IG: https://www.instagram.com/jumpman23/  

Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks  

 Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by Really Jaewon, we talk about growing up and his history with kicks. Some of his most recent cops and why he wants the Steven Victor's. His love for forces and growing up around sneaker legends. Pursuing a psychology degree and then switching to music. His approach to his music and navigating the New York Hip Hop scene. Why he doesn't value material things and a ton more!  

Follow Jaewon: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/reallyjaewon/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/_ReallyJaewon 

Listen to North Star: https://album.link/i/1888112130  

Follow The Pod: Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks   

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by Angelo Baque, we talk about his journey growing up in New York. What it was like being inspired by the culture he experienced every day. Finding his way to SOHO and what lead to his creativity. How graffiti became a part of his life and how that lead to him finding his people. The way New York has evolved over the years, how his sister sent him on this path. What Orchard street was like and how it is now, we also talk about the impact he's been able to make. Creating the Awake Jordan 6's and a ton more!  

Follow Angelo: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/angelobaque/ 

Shop Awake NY: https://awakenyclothing.com/  

Follow The Pod: 

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks   

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by the multi-faceted Intuition, we talk about his journey with kicks. How his podcast Kinda Neat inspired me many years ago. His journey from Alaska to Cali to pursue photography, how that lead to him becoming a rapper. Connecting with Equilibrium and what their self titled album meant to me personally. What it was like to gather all his skills and put it towards podcasting. Coming back to music after 10 years. How going viral recently with his son and content creation has evolved his outlook on everything and much more! 

Follow Intuition: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/itsintuition/ 

See him live: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/3807975-intuition-and-equalibrum 

Listen to Leave a Mark: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/intuitionandequalibrum/leave-a-mark  

Follow The Pod: 

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks   

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/

This week I am joined by Rob Markman, known for many things including his contributions to Hip Hop with his coverage. I talk to him about his first kicks and how it lead him down the path he is on. What its like to be a collector of many things not just sneakers. How did Hip Hop find him and if he tried all the elements. What got him into comics and how he has been able to incorporate everything into his content. Plus a ton more!  

Follow Rob: 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/robmarkman/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/RobMarkman 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/robmarkman

Follow The Pod: 

Podcast Linktree: https://linktr.ee/myfirstkicks  

Sign up for the Patreon: https://patreon.com/MyFirstKicks   

Intro & Outro by Sango: https://www.instagram.com/sango_/