UPDATE 11/21/14: Complex just released a video for the sneaker convo between Wale and Jerry Seinfeld. Watch the clip below to find out where Wale has his sneakers stashed around the U.S. and why white sneakers make him happy.
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An inspiration to Wale throughout his career, comedian Jerry Seinfeld shares the cover of the latest issue of Complex magazine with his good friend and collaborator. The two men, who are working together on Wale's upcoming The Album About Nothing, also shared a few words with Joe La Puma.
In a familiar scene, the two were captured seated at a local diner, New York’s Remedy the setting for this particular meeting of the minds. Jerry and Wale cover a wide range of topics in their discussion, which turned to sneakers from the jump.
Interesting sneaker choice, going with the Huaraches today, Jerry. Internet rumors say you have more than 500 pairs of sneakers.
Jerry Seinfeld: Nobody has 500 of anything.
Wale: I beg to differ.
JS: You have 500 sneakers?
W: Yeah. [Laughs.]
JS: Well, I never had that many.
W: I’ve lost 500 sneakers. I have two sneaker rooms, one in L.A. and one in Jersey. And I have what is essentially a sneaker room in my mother’s house.
JS: Why is it so important? To feel right?
W: I don’t know. White shoes make me happy. Remember? There’s a song on the album called “White Shoes.” On it, Jerry says he was wearing white shoes and a lady stopped him on the street and asked him why he liked white shoes. He said, “I don’t know. They make me happy.” The idea for the record was to call it “White Shoes” because, where we come from, it’s such a vanity thing. That’s the first thing a woman would notice on you, the shoes.
JS: They say you judge a man by his wife, his car, and his shoes. Those three things will tell you everything you need to know him. I got into white sneakers because of Billy “White Shoes” Johnson and Joe Namath. Those were the two guys wearing white in the NFL. All of a sudden, the game had a lot more flair.
So there you have it — Wale's reason for being a sneakerhead and why Seinfeld favors white-based colorways.
This is just a small part of a really fascinating cover story packed with features, which you can read now at Complex.
