A-Trak has an eye for footwear that’s evolved over the years, but a sense of humor that’s remained just the same. The kid who clamored for adidas Stan Smiths in elementary school has since become a world-renowned DJ, one half of dance duo Duck Sauce and the beat maker behind the latest Cam’ron project.
Teaming up with fellow fly guy Armand Van Helden, the boys behind “Barbra Streisand” are back with their proper Duck Sauce debut, Quack, which is out now. We caught up with A-Trak to discuss his changing taste in sneakers, meeting Kanye West and what makes Killa Cam a style icon.
Nice Kicks: How has touring the world as a DJ shaped your taste in footwear and fashion?
A-Trak: One thing that was big for me when I was in my early 20s was collecting high-top Dunks. It really coincided with when I was starting to tour more internationally. I definitely remember going to Japan in the early 2000s and having to buy an extra suitcase because I copped a bunch of Dunks that I couldn’t find back home. I remember being just as psyched in those years to find old, vintage streetwear that people wouldn’t expect to see as much.
Nice Kicks: These days, how would you say your personal style reflects your sound?
A-Trak: I think, in recent years, there have been pretty simple and recognizable staples in the way that I dress. I’m a fan of people that will pretty much wear the same thing every single day [Laughs], but every once in a while come out with some really fly sh*t when you don’t expect it. For me, I rock a lot of leather biker jackets and I like some distressed denim. There’s the fedora that I’ve worn a lot over the years, I’m kind of wearing it a bit less now, but if someone had to draw the A-Trak silhouette they’d probably put the hat. Then, sneaker-wise, I still think that the Air Jordan 3 is the best sneaker ever created, but even then I’m kind of getting tired of it. I look for other high tops that might be a bit less known that will fit into the silhouette that I like.
Even on the topic of Jordans, it’s kind of crazy to me how Jordans have been the holy, untouchable shoe for like 25 years. I really respect the legacy and the amount of ill Jordans that there have been in the series, especially in the first eight years or so. It’s remarkable. I’m just less interested in wearing them now. It’s not as sacred anymore.
Nice Kicks: Growing up, were Jordans big in your household?
A-Trak: A little bit. Neither my brother Dave (Dave 1 of Chromeo) or I were ever sneaker collecting fanatics. We both always had the same approach of you wear what you buy. I never like to accumulate a huge closet. Every year, I kind of go through what I’m wearing and what I’m not wearing and give away about half of what’s in my closet to the Armory on Bowery. I like to give away clothes.
Going back to growing up, for Dave and I, it was more a question of finding the specific make, model or colorway that we decided was our favorite one, rather than having six boxes of whatever model that just stays in our closet. P-Thugg (of Chromeo) had a ton of Jordans for sure. Even when we were in high school, he had like two or three pairs of every single model.
