We chat to Offspring community member DJ A.M.Zee to discuss his passion for all things, music, sneakers and memorabilia.
Tell us about yourself
Originally dads from Gujurat India and grew up in Mumbai - he was working in the restaurant. Mom is from Nairobi, Kenya in Africa and moved to India when she was young and then to the UK in the 70s. I would say I’m from London - originally north London then lived in east and south for a bit and now just outside in Luton.
Currently I work a 9-5 in Market Insight and Analytics looking for consumer detriment - dealing with a lot of raw data from website feedback, surveys, calls, live chat interactions and maintain data protection across the contact centre.
Tell us about where you grew up?
Growing up in the 80s I was in North London Wood Green but also spent a lot of time in Southgate round my grandparents. Always been a mad cultural mix round there with all cultures just mingling. One of the main things I remember is going to Picketts Lock Market on the weekend was always vibes. Also one the earliest memories is Tottenham winning the FA cup in ‘91 and how that was what made me a spurs fan.
How long have you been into sneakers and how did you get into them?
I think I’ve always been into shoes from when I was young. My old man was a manager of a westend shoe store in Carnaby and later Oxford Circus so I grew up with seeing boxes stacked high in the stock room :) The first pair I really remember was cChampions Fila, then Reebok pumps then the Js. I started hunting creps from college so around 15-20 years I’ve been serious about my shoes.
You’ve been our go to community DJ over the years. Where did your passion for music start?
Radio was always on in our house and anyone born in the 80s will know about the stack sound system at home - we had an old school sound system with a turntable and big double tape ghetto blaster in the kitchen on all the time so music has always been a big thing for me.
I remember buying vinyl from when I was young and always loved Michael Jackson. I still have the Thriller and Bad albums plus some special MJ picture vinyls from way back, but probably the greatest thing was seeing MJ live at Wembley stadium in 1993 for the Dangerous tour.
Must have been interesting times at a Pirate Radio station?
Pirate radio was a vibe and a big foundation and learning for me. Originally my mate Wayne had a show on Deja Vu so we used to go to the infamous rooftop studio with him and caught the vibe from there - it was also Wayne who hooked me up my technics 1210 turntables which I still have and working over 25 years later :)
I bounced around a few stations like Touch FM, Havit FM and Amie FM to name a few.
I then had a breakfast show on a north London station called Xtreme FM ( I think it was 101.6 FM) and remember I had to keep the volume so low. The first show as was on at 10-12 in the morning and the studio was on the third floor right next to a gospel church in Edmonton ffs 😝
Later on my last station was Empire FM. I met a few good connections and still see a few of the old faces around!
Have you done any big gigs? Performed along side or too anyone famous?
Last year the Wu Tang event was a vibe! Can’t get bigger than Wu x Jazzy Jeff! When I was told about it knew had to be involved as the music was a soundtrack to my childhood and the shoes were like a yellow and black unicorn I never thought I touch! Also I don’t usually get to rinse out old school like that so really I appreciate the opportunity.
Gigs wise I guess for me I was into UKG. I always wanted to play on the same night as DJ EZ and have done that couple times now.
Before we get to sneakers, we’ve noticed some interesting pieces of merch. Like many of the community, collecting items surpasses just shoes. Tell us more about this.
TBH I collected music merch longer than I started seriously collecting shoes. Looking at some of the bits I have collected is crazy over the years from events and drops.I think I got a bank note from 50 cents first tour in the UK.
I’ve also got tickets and the program from Eminem’s first ever show in the UK plus super limited t-shirts and vinyl - but the craziest Eminem collab is Em x Spiderman comic book - just need to get round to grading it some point.
Did music influence your love of sneakers?
Music definitely was a massive influence for my sneaker collection. I think maybe 80% of my collection has something to do with hip-hop looking through the shoes and collabs.Just recently for example got the Wu Tang dunks which for me mean a lot.
What kind of shoes are you buying into?
I like the Puma x A$AP collection recently I thought it was a decent !! Also Loved the Nigo Air Force 3, I always like something new and innovative so did also love the Jumpman Jacks. Going forward I think will be looking at Jordan brand most this year.
What’s your most prized sneaker, record and clothing item?
Clothing item would have to be my jacket collection going from TLOP jackets to my recent Fragment varsity jacket which my cousin Preeti copped for me from Cali.
Most prized sneaker is a tough question man! I got to say has to be my off-white university blue Jordan 1s. Just simply for the legacy and effect that Virgil had and left they represent a lot to me.
Most prized record is tough. I recently got the Watch the Throne picture disc vinyl… I missed out on the original drop and it re-released in 2023 so I made sure I copped it. The record is a masterpiece and the design by Virgil is incredible and the album itself is a classic. But also I love reggae music and chronixx in particular. I recently got dread and terrible on vinyl original dub pressing and its super limited to have.
Your brother is also part of the community, did he influence you or did you influence him ?
I think we both always used to like sneakers and stole my sky blue Tns back in the day … which he still owes me 😭 but he introduced me to the community through the sneaker luminati later and now its a full family thing with my niece involved - she loves her Jordan 3s atm :)
Do you have any early sneaker memory? Where did you shop back in the day? Take us down memory lane.
Saw my first pair of Jordans at junior school in the early 90s. I’m sure they were Jordan 4 breds, some guy had gone to America and picked them up so everyone was just drawn to these shoes – in those years we couldn’t touch them so going forward it has been nice to be able to grab certain bits.
What sneakers are in your rotation currently?
I usually try and reach for something I haven’t worn in ages once a week. Now is always an Air Force 1 - either the rocafella or utopia as weather is crazy, Nike Air Force 3 x Nigo - love these shouts to Danny B for the steal! Travis Jumpman Jack ‘olive’ and Air Jordan 1 Low ‘85 ‘neutral grey’ - think this is my third pair.
Finally, what does community mean to you?
Community means meeting and learning from different people, experiences, and living life 🙏
The community have helped me with a lot through the years and has been a blessing making some great memories joining both The Sneaker Luminati and The Real Sole Family. I’ve made some lifelong friends and even copped my dog through the community through Rez!
Quick fire
Out of music, sneakers and Merch – what would you save in a fire?
Man... I guess my love of sneakers is connected to hip-hop so have to be music, tough question ! 🤯
Who’s got the better collection – you or your brother?
I would say put them together you got the ultimate collection lol
Vinyl or CD?
Each vinyl pick up is like sneakers and has a story to tell plus you can’t beat the sound and grittiness of a needle on a record. Have to be vinyl!
