The worlds of hip-hop and sneakers lost a Mount Rushmore-worthy pillar in October with the passing of Rodolfo A. Franklin, better known as DJ Clark Kent. Now, one of footwear’s most famous designers is paying tribute to the legendary DJ.
Tinker Hatfield took to his Instagram account Thursday to share a drawing of DJ Clark Kent’s Nike SB Dunk Low “112” sneaker. The shoe was released in 2013 as a follow-up to the Nike “112” pack from 2008 and like the sneakers in that pack, featured a reflective silver upper with large portions of gray elephant print and volt accents. In his tribute, Hatfield incorporated the words “DJ Clark Kent” into the sneaker’s elephant print pattern.
“He was a great DJ and talented at so many other disciplines including record producing and design,” Hatfield wrote. “He was also a good friend. This drawing is my interpretation of one of his many sneaker collaborations. If you look closely to the elephant print you can find his professional name. R.I.P.”
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DJ Clark Kent’s “112” pack originated in ’08 and included the Nike Air Max 1, Air Force 1 and Air Trainer 1. In the years that followed, the “112” theme would be applied to other sneakers including the LeBron 7, LeBron 8, LeBron 9 Low, Zoom Revis, Hyperdunk, and Air Force 25 Low. And for Black Friday in 2013, Nike SB released a “112” pack featuring the P-Rod 7 High, P-Rod 7 Hyperfuse Max and the SB Dunk Low seen here.
With Nike alone, the late DJ’s contributions went far beyond the “112” pack. He’s credited with introducing the brand’s first Black Friday release with a special Air Force 1 in 2008. He also curated a NYC-centric “5 Boroughs” Air Force 1 pack in 2010, designed an exclusive pony hair-covered “Got That White” Air Force 1 in 2017 and most recently, created a mismatched “The List” Air Force 1 for his friends and family in 2023.
DJ Clark Kent died Oct. 24, three years after being diagnosed with colon cancer, a battle he fought privately.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend and true cultural icon, DJ Clark Kent,” Nike said in a statement following his death. “At Nike, we were honored to collaborate with Clark on projects that celebrated not only his deep love for sneakers but also his unwavering dedication to pushing creative boundaries and elevating culture. His impact on the world of sneakers is beyond measure, with an influence that spans the globe and generations. Clark’s legacy will forever inspire future talent, leaving a lasting mark on our industry. Our hearts go out to Clark’s family, friends, and all those touched by his extraordinary talent, passion, and kindness. His presence will be greatly missed.”
