Nice Kicks: That takes us to the next question. Sometimes people put their shoes up on a pedestal, wear them lightly, and even keep them deadstock. You actually played ball and skated in your Yeezys!

Levi Maestro: I actually didn’t plan on making that episode, but I ended up getting the shoes as a surprise. ?I started to see how much of a big deal it was, and I was laughing because I’ve never taken this stuff that serious.? I personally don’t like the shoe, it’s a bit bulky for my style.? I’m a skinny dude, and the shoe is so puffy and padded, so I usually wouldn’t wear a shoe like that.

The only thing I could see wearing [Air Yeezys] for, is activity because the shoes are so comfortable.? I think they would’ve been great for running around in, so that’s the reason why I was like “Yo, I think I’m gonna go try and slam dunk” because I’ve always wanted to ever since I was a little kid.? To me, it looks like a dope basketball shoe.? That’s the coolest place I would want to see that shoe.? I wouldn’t want to see someone just wearing it [off the court] because it looks way too high-tech.? On the basketball court, it looks like the dopest shoe I could see out there.

Levi Maestro

Nice Kicks: When you went to the Nike campus, what was your favorite part?

Levi Maestro: I think it’s really cool that all the employees take such advantage of the space. I think the campus wouldn’t have the same feel and astonishing effect if Nike’s employees and the employees’ families didn’t put it to good use you know what I mean? If they had just built it as like, a bragging right, it would only be so great, but the fact that people really benefit from it everyday was pretty amazing to see.

The coolest thing to me about sneakers is that they really change as your personality changes.? Even when it comes to wearing them, it’s funny how you can wear a certain pair of sneakers, and someone will look at you like you’re a certain type of person. – Levi Maestro

Nice Kicks: What are your favorite sneaker spots to hit up?

Levi Maestro: Oh yeah. I would say my favorite to this day are Sportie LA and Undefeated which are both local to LA. Sportie has the most amazing collection that I’ve ever come across over time, and Undefeated is the ultimate sneaker experience from top to bottom. Everything Undefeated puts out, and the way they bring it across – I feel like they’re the originator/pioneer of that whole style.

Maestro Levi

Nice Kicks: Any international spots?

Levi Maestro: It’s funny because the best spot I saw in Tokyo was Undefeated. When I was in Berlin, there was this spot Firmament, which isn’t just sneakers, but it was absolutely amazing store. I’ve never seen anything like it. Maybe a store like it in the States would be RSVP Gallery, but yea, Firmament – from the selection to the space to the people that run it – nothing is touching it.

To read the rest of the interview click here.