Ginuwine Talks Style Icons & Favorite Sneakers

At 18 years since his solo debut, Ginuwine has been in the game as long as Kobe. A living legend in an industry that hardens its vets, the man that made “Pony,” “What’s So Different,” “Same Ol G,” “So Anxious,” and “Differences” still packs a youthful spirit and a strong sense of humor. Conscious of his classics but still forward thinking, we caught up with Ginuwine after his performance at Fun Fun Fun Fest to discuss his low key love for sneakers, style influences growing up and favorite artists past and present.

Nice Kicks: Today you took the stage in Jeremy Scotts. We’ve seen you on IG post everything from Nike MAGs to Foamposites to designer sneakers. What are you rocking the most these days?

Ginuwine: I’m glad you noticed! I love sneakers. I’m not really a sneakerhead, but when sneakers catch my attention I get them. Giuseppe Zanottis? Love ’em. Jeremy Scotts? Love ’em. I’m not a sneakerhead so I don’t just get the new thing that everybody gets when they come out– that’s just not my style– but I do get things that really catch my attention. Right now I’ve got some Jordans that my security saw and thought they just came out. I’ve had them for five years. [Laughs] I’ve got a closet full of old Jordans that I don’t even wear because I’ve got so many shoes. Every pair of shoes that I have look brand new because I have so many. When I’m at home I only wear slippers. [Laughs] Everybody always sends me product. It just means I’ll be here for years to come and I appreciate it.

Nice Kicks: From a fashion standpoint, whose style did you look up to growing up or coming up?

Ginuwine: Michael Jackson! Then Prince, Bobby Brown, MC Hammer, New Edition and of course my boys Jodeci.

Jodeci in the early 90s (photo via We Do it For the Love of Music)

Nice Kicks: Jodeci was one of the first R&B acts that kind of pulled from hip hop fashion. Do you ever see the tide turning where R&B takes the lead on fashion again?

Ginuwine: Absolutely. I think Joedci was the first R&B group that wore Timberlands or Hi-Tec boots. I’m always into fashion and I’m always trying to be the first one to wear something that just came out. I’m thankful that I’m still here and that people still support me.

Nice Kicks: These days, whether hip hop or R&B, whose style do you like the best?

Ginuwine: I love my little brother Chris Brown. That’s about it as far as R&B. I love Jasmine Sullivan, I love Lauryn Hill, of course, she’s coming back. But I’m an old school cat. I love Guy, Boyz II Men, Jodeci, I love people like that. I don’t really pay attention to a lot of the new stuff coming out. If you ask me stuff about a lot of the new rappers that’s coming out I just don’t know them, honestly. It is what it is.

Nice Kicks: On The Batchelor you made a lot of noise by covering Prince. How would you feel about a new R&B artist covering one of your hits and making it a single?

Ginuwine: Rihanna came out and covered “Pony” and she did her thing. Much love to Rihanna. I’ve always said if you’re gonna cover a song you’ve got to do it just as good or better. I believe I didn’t do it better than Prince on “When Doves Cry,” I did it just as good. Prince and Michael Jackson are number one in my book, so you can’t beat them. You can only hope to do their equivalent. Prince, man? You can’t do better than Prince, you can’t do better than Michael Jackson. That’s the ultimate. If someone ever says you did better than Michael Jackson or Prince, you need to be on that level, period.

Ginuwine & Aaliyah (The Aaliyah Archives)

Nice Kicks: You’ve worked with everyone from Timbaland, Aaliyah, Static Major and Missy Elliott to Diddy, R. Kelly and the Big Tymers. Of all the artists, who did you enjoy working with the most?

Ginuwine: Aaliyah. On my second CD I did a song with her called “Final Warning.” It only took us like 30 minutes to an hour to do, but we took ten hours to do it because we were just joking, having fun and acting silly. So, I would have to say Aaliyah, and then Puffy. We were in Miami doing “I Need a Girl Pt. 2” and Puff just showed me a great time.

Nice Kicks: What can fans expect next from Ginuwine?

Ginuwine: Y’all make sure that you support TGT. We’ve got one CD and we’re ready to come out with another one next year. But before that, it’s Ginuwine, the Same Ol G. I’m not gonna let the cat out of the bag on that until Thanksgiving.

Keep up with Ginuwine on Twitter and Instagram.

Lead image by Earl Gibson III/Getty Images via Zimbio