TROPICAL HEAT

Jordan seems to be popular, were they basketball fans or just digging the shoes?
To be honest, I had the feeling that people in Trinni really love the Jordan shoes for their shape, design, bright colorways and technical details. All things that a real Jordan sneakerhead loves them for, too. I mean there wasn’t really that crazy NBA Basketball hype craziness like in the States. You could see NBA on TV over there and all that but in general they were really on some crazy Caribbean cricket, golf and GOAT RACE (you heard right!) sports trip all the time! That stuff was way funny to me.

I saw some New Era caps as well… does American culture dominate everything down there?
Of course, the US has a strong influence. You can see it when you turn on the TV or when I went to the supermarket in Venezuela and Trinidad. Almost every product suddenly said ‘Made in USA’. And on the streets it’s Chrysler, Dodge, Lincoln, Ford, McDonalds, KFC, Dunkin’ Donuts etc. Between all the palm trees, rainbow painted houses and banana fried meals it felt strange sometimes!

But at this point I have to give it up to Trinidad & Tobago’s music culture! That shit is so fresh and original! There was NO metal, hardcore, techno, rock – just soca, reggae, calypso and a little bit of rap – everybody was listening to it! I’m catching this private taxi and the driver is an 80 year old lady. I give her the money and she asks me: ‘You mind some music on the ride?’ I’m like: ‘Sure, of course!’ Guess what she pumps with fat bass outta that stereo? ELEPHANT MAN! Can you dig my face?

Imagine that in our ‘SO COOL’ big cities?