By Any Means Necessary...

I'm the writer...he's the DJ
Idris and AG talk about trainers Its not how many questions you ask, its which question you ask

When I was in 7th grade I had an English teacher named Mrs. Myers. If only she could see me now…I’m sure her expression would first show surprise, followed by that, I told you so look that only a mother or teacher could give. Her class was no walk in the park…it felt more like college than middle-school, but it was in those early years that I learned to write 15-page term papers, hand written mind you, but those papers not only taught me the basics and how to apply them, but it was a necessary building block for the career that I enjoy now.

The funny thing is, at that time I just wanted to play futbol, kickball, street football, and most of all I wanted to become famous. Not really sure why, other than the fact that I watched too much television? I didn’t want to be a professional athlete, as that dream would entertain the synapses of my mind a few years later…instead I wanted to be a movie star.

“The rhymes I use, definitely amuse, better than Dynasty, or Hill Street Blues...”

Big Daddy Kane - Raw

IN MY LIFETIME

The television set was a mainstay in the Gilbert household, and now with the advent of the personal computer and the Internet, the TV is only important for a few things as opposed to everything. I use to watch the Carol Burnett Show, and Muppet Show, with my mother. My brother and I enjoyed the Six Million Dollar Man, and the Incredible Hulk, while my sister, grandmother, and I have seen just about every Price Is Right since 1985. Movies however were something that I would watch with my dad. He was in the armed services, and naturally we would always watch what he would call an “Army movie” or “War picture”. I enjoyed watching everything from the Dirty Dozen, and A Soldier’s Story, to Platoon and Full Metal Jacket.

One of my favorite movies of all-time is Back to the Future, and I can’t even recall when and where I first saw it, but from day one, I was sold on the story, characters, and the flying DeLorean. There is something about movie-magic that makes my imagination take off like Jordan in a slam-dunk contest.

Back in December of 2000, I ventured to Washington DC to attend a meeting hosted by the NBA for those who wanted to volunteer to work during the upcoming All-Star Weekend. I wanted to make an impression, so I wore a navy blue suit and a pair of brand new J Crew chocolate brown shoes. I had done an internship with the New York Knicks and New York Liberty during the summer so this was my next step to working in the professional basketball ranks. If dress to impress was the rule then only two people got the memo. Everyone had on jeans, hoodies, baseball caps, boots, etc., except for this one other guy.

Since we both stood out like sore thumbs, I walked over to him and introduced myself. His name was Oronde Garrett and we have been friends ever since. In fact he is like an older brother to me. Currently he manages acclaimed actor, and DJ, Idris Elba. Through that connection, we are now all great friends and colleagues. Most people know him as his character Russell “Stringer” Bell from the HBO Drama series The Wire, as he continues to establish himself in Hollywood from such films as 28 Weeks Later, Sometimes in April, Daddy’s Little Girls, American Gangster, and This Christmas.

When I had an opportunity to make my movie debut in the forth-coming Nike Air Force 1 feature, it was with him that I spoke to about the nuances of the business. So other than our friendship and my brief stint as a movie star, we have a few other things in common, including sneakers and the exclusivity thereof. I should mention that while I call my footwear sneakers, Idris being from the UK and all, refers to them as trainers, which is both pretty cool and kind of catchy.

When I met him for the first time he was wearing a pair of white shell-toe adidas, and I had on some Nike Penny Foamposites. He quickly exclaimed how he remembered them, and we began to talk shop. From that day, we now try to ever so covertly stay a “step ahead” of one another in footwear, but I have my connects and he has his, so its not much of a battle…its more of an appreciation.

Below is a conversation we had on movies, and sneakers…quiet on the set!

Talk about your role on The Wire as opposed to your most recent work:
“I’m well known for one character and I want to challenge myself and challenge the audience. I want everyone to begin to think differently about me. Stringer [Bell] is one thing and one particular role, and when you switch it up, it doesn’t always work. But for me it worked and I needed that challenge.”

What brands or styles to you really like?
“Well the first pair of trainers I ever got…my aunt sent them to me from DC… Washington DC and I’ll never forget them. They came in that classic orange Nike box. They arrived at the post in London and I had never had any sneakers like that. My mom couldn’t afford any name brands so my aunt had to send me a pair. I opened them up and there were the Nike Bruin, old school. I was about 11 or 12 years old and that night before school, I laid my clothes on the bed, and I put the shoe box on the bed and the trainers on top of it, and I went to sleep looking at them.”

What was it like working with Gabrielle Union?
“[Laughs]…let me tell you something about Gabrielle, aside from her beauty, she is really funny. She has jokes all day long…a really crazy sense of humor. Physically and mentally, she is a beautiful woman. Its dope…working with her was dope”

Favorite sneaker to wear:
“My favorite sneaker to wear is the Nike Air Force 1.”

Hollywood is very tricky, but you have to remember that it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.

Peace.



AG.