Fam, Alex Klerk is signing up!

A master of the brush and a true sneaker connoisseur. Musically raised on hip-hop, but his record collection? Everything from Motown to jungle.

Wu-Tang and Nike? A perfect powercouple. Let’s dive into his 8 Qs—pure culture. 👐

Eight questions, one Alex Klerk—Let’s go!

How did you first get introduced to Wu-Tang, and what do they mean to you personally?
I would say that I was introduced to the Wu in increments; I was around 14 at the time and was heavily reliant on tapes passed down by friends' older brothers. The first time I really heard the Wu "sound" would have been Gravediggaz' 6 Feet Deep (although Prince Paul produced a lot on the album too) after that I remember "All I need" from Method Man blowing up as a single. I got a tape of Only Built For Cuban Linx in the winter of '95 and I probably didn't hear 36 Chambers till somewhere in '96 (together with Ironman)

To me personally the Wu has been a part of coming of age as a teen; a exciting and confusing time when you start to try new things. For me the Wu mirrored this with their 9 members, each with their own distinct personality. No matter what mood you were in, there was always something to match it.

Also the vibe of the music really reminds me of "Old Amsterdam" in the 90's (especially the winter) where everything was just a little bit grittier.

Impact on Hip-Hop: In your opinion, what is the most significant contribution Wu-Tang has made to the hip-hop genre as a whole? Can you provide examples of their influence on newer artists?
In my opinion, the Wu pioneered the concept of a hiphop "guns for hire" super group, where each member had his own distinct style. Though there had been groups like that before like Cold Crush and Furious Five (I'm not including groups like RUN DMC, seeing as they were really more 1 entity) the Wu were really a movement.

They each had their own distinct style, but as a group it all connected. It really was a cultural movement too, with their recognizable logo and a fan base spread throughout the NY boroughs, thanks in part to the fact that the members hailed from different parts of NY.

It could be argued that this influenced groups like The Firm, Def Squad, Dip Set etc

In more modern times I would say groups like Odd Future and Coast Contra would be comparable to what Wu Tang was in the 90s.

Considering the solo careers of members like Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, how do you think these projects complement or contrast with the collective work of Wu-Tang?
I think it compliments it by definition, seeing as it had always been RZA's plan to have the Wu "Voltron" parts break off to do their own thing.

Evolution of Sound: How do you feel Wu-Tang's sound has evolved over the years, and what does that evolution say about the broader changes in hip-hop?
Although the base of the Wu sound has pretty much stayed the same in my opinion, you can hear that especially the RZA has been experimenting a lot. Sometimes a bit of a smoother sound, sometimes more party tracks. But always with ba gritty, off kilter undertone.

I personally don't see evidence that their sound has tried to keep up with modern hip hop trends, and that's completely fine by me. Keep doing you, Wu!

Wu-Tang's approach to business, including the one-of-a-kind album auction, has garnered attention. What are your thoughts on how they balance artistry with entrepreneurship?
I think they balanced it very well, they are uncompromising in how they choose to represent themselves to the outside world and consistently do things on their own terms.

RZA is not only a rapper but also a talented producer, composer, and filmmaker. What’s your favorite production from RZA, and what makes it special?
Ah jeez, I would be hard pressed to name just one production, so I would have to say the OB4CL/Ironman run in 95/96. Those are my 2 favorite albums and are sonically perfect IMO. It's a great continuation of the 36 Chambers vibe, but perfectly tailored towards Rae and Ghost's chemistry.

Wu-Tang's members often adopt aliases that reflect their personal philosophies and backgrounds. If you could create a Wu-Tang alias for yourself, what would it be and why?
I always loved the line "Index finger be sore, bustin' these fly scripts" off Daytona 500. Given my job (signpainter) it always connected with me, so I guess if you would translate the to a Wu Tang alias it would be "Fly Fingers"

For you, what does owning or wearing a pair of Wu-Tang Dunks symbolize beyond just fashion? How does it connect to your personal narrative or your relationship with Wu-Tang’s music?
I mean for me it's a perfect marriage of 2 important things in my life: (HipHop) Music and footwear.

Also the design is reminiscent of what HS/QS/F&F pairs looked like in the time I really got into sneakers (late 90s early 00s) nothing too crazy, looks like a regular shoe but with little hints, easter eggs if you will, that only people in the know would recognize. A great shoe for every day wear too, subtlety is key.