Shadowing Practice: Jaafar Jackson Channels Michael Jackson On Sneaker Shopping With Complex - Learn English Speaking with YouTube
B2
Shadowing Controls
0% completed (0/230 sentences)
What's up everybody, it's Joe from Complex.
⏸ Paused
Speed:
Repeat Count:
Wait Mode:
Sub Sync:0ms
All Sentences
230 sentences
1
What's up everybody, it's Joe from Complex.
2
which we're in New York at Flight Club with actor, singer, and the star of Michael, Jafar Jackson.
3
How are you doing?
4
Doing great.
5
Thank you for having me.
6
Of course.
7
Going to do some sneaker shopping today.
8
Going to see what he's feeling, what he's not, and then hopefully he's going to buy some sneakers.
9
Absolutely.
10
Let's go.
11
Jafar, welcome.
12
Thank you.
13
I wanted to ask, when was the last time you've been in a sneaker store like this?
14
And when did you get into sneakers?
15
I honestly don't think I've been in a sneaker store like this.
16
Yeah.
17
It was honestly a few years ago where I've gone to a sneaker store and saw a lot of great options, but as a kid, I used to go into Foot Locker, always get the classic Air Force Ones.
18
Yeah.
19
My father would always get those for me as a kid, so I grew up loving those, but then I kind of advanced a little bit.
20
Was it the pearly white Air Force Ones?
21
Oh, yeah.
22
Yeah.
23
Were you keeping them clean that Dad was getting them for you?
24
I had a whole cleaning, a little supply thing to make a little brush and everything,
25
the liquid yeah love that and then around 2019 i want to talk got me singing because what do you remember about these do
26
you remember these of course i still have my pair okay so yeah sakai nikes you're in the got me singing video and you're dancing in
27
those are the sakai nikes good to dance in they are you know it's funny because when i was in brazil and i was on the rooftop there's a bunch of water
28
there and stuff i was like oh i'm about to mess up these nikes yeah they don't get too But then afterwards I got them clean and it actually looked still pretty brand new and I still have them.
29
So you brought back the cleaning regimen from when you were a kid to these even?
30
Oh yeah, absolutely.
31
And another thing I love is like you talk about being in Brazil.
32
Was it one of the first times that Nike laced you?
33
Oh, wow, yeah.
34
I was doing some rehearsals in LA and they sent it over while I was rehearsing so I could try them on.
35
Then I really had to decide what to match with one of the outfits I had.
36
of the outfits i had so i went with the blue the high tops and we talked about like you know you maybe like a few years ago going into a store like
37
this like now obviously the fame has changed you may have to shut down stores now to shop is that a weird feeling for you i hope not i hope
38
i can go discreetly you know to some stories to feel that normalcy so it doesn't feel like you're so isolated i hope doesn't get to that point so we'll see
39
I saw the movie, like most of America, most of the world soon.
40
What a performance.
41
Congratulations on it.
42
Thank you.
43
You know, I was with my director and we were looking for like sneaker moments in the movie and one that stood out, the Jackson 5 wearing the Converse Chuck Taylors.
44
I think it was like early in the movie, but what was it like when you saw that in the wardrobe closet?
45
And they actually, you know, they wore that.
46
I know when I was in, you know, during the process of filming and they brought these wardrobe, brought these into the trailer, I was like, I don't really remember too often, but then really looking back at certain photos, like, oh yeah, he was wearing, Michael and all the brothers were wearing a lot of these sneakers.
47
And then I had some cool outfits with these, and wearing them for 14 hours straight during shooting is not the most comfortable shoe to wear.
48
And that's the thing, it's like people used to play basketball in these, and 14 hours in low-profile Converse Chuck Taylor must have hurt a little bit.
49
I can only imagine trying to play basketball in these.
50
Oh, that's crazy.
51
Yeah.
52
And then another moment that I really like, it's right around the time that you're discussing like doing your solo album.
53
It's you and Bill Bray, your security.
54
Yeah.
55
And I think like you're headed to the studio.
56
Oh, yeah.
57
Remember these?
58
Yeah, I think you're headed to the studio.
59
I think you might have had a flannel on and like you get in the car and I think it's like the Adidas superstars.
60
So another kind of shoe of that moment.
61
But I like that it's connected to such an awesome scene.
62
Right.
63
It's interesting because, you know, before Michael made the iconic loafers and white socks, before that time, he would wear sneakers, you know, and he had a certain style of what he wanted to wear, but I was surprised to see him wearing something like this.
64
So when I saw certain photos, I was like, wow, I never saw that.
65
But then he went to the classic black loafer with the white socks.
66
Yes, iconic.
67
Oh yeah.
68
And it's funny because like you say that, these are toned down from Michael.
69
And then obviously, you know, as it progressed, he got more loud.
70
Speaking about his iconic fits though, like just the movie is so deliberate in the outfits.
71
Was there one piece that if you could take home that you really wanted, like, you know, the, the thriller jacket obviously stands out.
72
We had Tracy Morgan here who owns one of the Michael Jackson gloves, but do you put one piece of clothing that you really resonated with?
73
There's so many.
74
Yeah.
75
Um, to pick one overall, I think it'll have to be the Grammy jacket with all the sequins.
76
And you know, that jacket was about like 13 pounds, 12, 13 pounds.
77
So when I picked it up, I was like, wait, this is insane.
78
This is actually, it's all handmade and it was incredible.
79
It's crazy.
80
Cause like, you know, some of the parts that I loved is like the meetings, especially when we talked about like the lawyer and you're like, this is my guy, but you went in like the rooms with the fits.
81
It must It's been so crazy.
82
I was like, listen, I'm gonna pull up to work meetings the next day, you know?
83
The same thing.
84
Exactly, I was inspired, but so many good fits.
85
And we talked about 13 or 14 hours with Chuck Taylors, but I saw videos of your trainer being like, you were dancing for five or six hours and your feet were literally going numb during the process.
86
They were, yeah.
87
Because it's one thing dancing in a dancer's shoe, but to dance in loafers, especially, I had to dance in a half-size down or a full-size down so I can break them in because it's leather, so they kind of expand over time.
88
So the first two months of dancing, those your feet are scrunched.
89
And then to do the toe stand, the moonwalk, and the side, all these different moves in them, it, you know, over time, it kind of, it caused a lot of complications with my feet.
90
I applaud that, you know, I play a five on five, I get plantar fasciitis, so I- Oh yeah, I went through all of that.
91
Yeah, I applaud that commitment.
92
And then what was the like recovery process?
93
You know, each day was kind of different because sometimes it would go numb for 20 minutes, Sometimes it go numb for two hours.
94
I'm like, it's not coming back and my toe will go completely white.
95
It get completely cold.
96
I had to gauge it.
97
And then I would have to apply a lot of heat to it.
98
Sometimes that wouldn't work.
99
Sometimes I have to have to get a ball and roll it over.
100
You saw that, yeah.
101
Yeah, do that.
102
So it really depends on that day, but the move that really would kill the toes is the toe stand for me.
103
Okay.
104
Yeah.
105
Yeah.
106
Doing that repetitively, it wasn't good.
107
It was worth it though.
108
We were looking at the footwork.
109
It was crazy, crazy.
110
So congratulations.
111
Thank you.
112
We talked about the movie, how there was like simple sneakers, because that's what they were wearing back then.
113
but did you know that in 1990, your uncle actually had an LA gear line?
114
I have seen this.
115
So I know that you were studying like everything about him, but it's a little later in part one of the movie.
116
But like now we're getting into the more loud and more Michael style.
117
And I think these were even called like the Billy jeans.
118
It has a little reference of two, like the bad with the buckles on there.
119
Exactly.
120
Yeah.
121
What do you think about like that and him having his own sneaker line?
122
I wish it was still going.
123
Yeah.
124
Because I haven't seen those in person,
125
but i've just seen photos of him doing like the toe stand and then in them and also did some a few ads yeah and then like a press conference and everything
126
so i just remember looking at footage and and a lot of pictures of him wearing those but i've never seen them in person i've been wanting
127
to get a pair of those but those are probably hard to find and then 1992 were you aware of the jam video with michael jordan and your uncle absolutely yeah so this classic classic video
128
And they're playing one-on-one, and I was watching videos, and it was basically like MJ, Michael Jordan, is supposed to be teaching Michael Jackson how to play ball, and Michael Jackson is trying to teach MJ, Michael Jordan, how to dance.
129
Right, yeah.
130
But what did you think of that video and seeing two legends?
131
You know, we're surrounded by Jordans.
132
I mean, I just remember as a kid watching that, just always enjoying it, just seeing the simplicity of them having fun.
133
Yeah.
134
And they're really enjoying themselves, even though I know Michael Michael was probably embarrassed because he wasn't the best basketball player.
135
Okay.
136
And didn't know how to really dribble as well.
137
And at the same with Michael Jordan, he couldn't do the dance moves.
138
So I think they had their own right to kind of show what they can do best and not.
139
And the shoes that Jordan wore we have here in the video, Bordeaux 7.
140
So another piece of history, like really kind of like an underrated classic.
141
And that's the shoes that Michael Jordan was wearing in the video.
142
Wow, I feel like I've, when did these come out?
143
They came out in the 90s and then they re-released like 2015, I believe.
144
I feel like I had a pair of these as a kid.
145
Really?
146
I swear, just looking at them now, I may have, because just looking at them, it kind of reminds me of a pair that looks just like this.
147
I'll have to see if I have any childhood photos.
148
Because I can't really tell when you watch the video, you'll get the close detail of it, but I wonder.
149
That's crazy, if you actually had the pair, the synergy there from the video with your uncle and Michael Jordan.
150
And then another thing before AI and stuff, there was a classic photo that isn't real that always went viral.
151
And it's like MJ in the Royal Ones.
152
Oh yeah.
153
Do you, have you seen it?
154
I've seen this photo.
155
Okay, so what do you think about it?
156
It's like, it looks like a photo that would be on like every sneaker heads wall, but it's not a real photo.
157
He's not wearing like the real shoes.
158
Well, I've seen this photo in this color, but also it's all red.
159
Yes, the black and reds.
160
Exactly.
161
Which one is the authentic photo.
162
Yeah.
163
ever wore the Jordan 1s in the photo.
164
I think people just Photoshop, but it's something that like,
165
you look on reddit and it's like man mj was a real sneaker head right so have you seen the original photo so the original photo he's actually wearing loafers
166
but some sneaker head kind of like concocted it to wear the jordan ones and like everyone was like oh he's one of us he's one of us but
167
oh yeah yeah such a crazy and you've seen that photo i have seen that phone it looks great it fooled me i thought same we were looking yeah
168
even like when we were doing research we were like we sure it's not what is he wearing but yeah pretty crazy i have to ask you talked
169
about the process and stuff like that i could i came in here and i was just thinking like for someone who studied your uncle's journals and
170
things like that like we would never want to pick a shoe for him but these cactus plant nike dunks could we see if if we're in
171
2026 like him pulling up in like more of that style coming from the converse chuck taylor and the adidas superstar and like the la gear even and that was getting louder, but like this feels MJ.
172
It does, it's like the sequence glove, but just on the shoes.
173
Exactly.
174
I can only imagine this on with a sequence glove, you know?
175
Come on, the full fit.
176
The full fit.
177
Yeah.
178
This is cool.
179
This is really cool.
180
Definitely, it makes a statement.
181
Absolutely.
182
Well, we talked about everything.
183
Now's the easy part.
184
Browse the shelves, see what you're gonna take home.
185
Oh, absolutely.
186
Let's do it.
187
Yep.
188
All right, what can I help you with today?
189
I was checking these Adidas out.
190
These caught my eye.
191
Do you have these in the size 10?
192
Yeah, I got the wells for you.
193
I got those too.
194
Perfect.
195
All right, so is there anything I can help you with in this area?
196
Yeah, I gotta get these.
197
If you have this in a size 10.
198
Yeah, I got you.
199
That's a great choice.
200
Anything else that catches your eye?
201
I gotta go with the classic Jordans.
202
So if you have this in a 10.
203
I do got those.
204
Oh, perfect.
205
That's all set for today?
206
I think so.
207
Yeah.
208
Cool.
209
Find everything you need?
210
I definitely did.
211
All right.
212
Your total is going to be $2,025.11.
213
Cool.
214
All right.
215
Here you go.
216
Thank you.
217
I'll definitely be back.
218
Appreciate it.
219
So, Jafar came through, told some great stories, let us in on the process, got some new pickups.
220
Thanks so much for taking the time.
221
Oh, this is awesome.
222
Thank you for having me.
223
Happy about this.
224
Absolutely.
225
You know where to find him.
226
The man of the moment in Michael Theaters right now.
227
Thanks again.
228
Thank you.
229
Thank you.
230
you
4.9/5 on App Store & Google Play
Shadowing English
On Mobile
Learn English anytime, anywhere with the Shadowing English app. Improve your communication skills today!
Track your learning progress
AI grading and error correction
Rich video library
About This Lesson
In this lesson, learners will practice their English pronunciation and speaking skills by shadowing a conversation from the engaging video “Jaafar Jackson Channels Michael Jackson On Sneaker Shopping With Complex.” This video features Jaafar Jackson discussing his sneaker choices, personal experiences with shoes, and memorable moments from his youth. As you listen and repeat, you will enhance your ability to understand conversational English and improve your fluency.
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
- Sneaker shopping - the activity of buying athletic shoes.
- Classic - something that has lasting significance or value.
- Cleaning regimen - a systematic approach to keeping something clean.
- Wardrobe - a collection of clothing or outfits.
- Comfortable - providing physical ease and relaxation.
- Discreetly - done in a careful way to avoid being noticed.
- Performance - a presentation or display of talent, especially in front of an audience.
- Collaborate - to work jointly with others, especially in an intellectual endeavor.
Practice Tips
To maximize your learning and improve your English pronunciation, try these practice tips while you engage with the video:
- Shadow Speech: Listen to Jaafar’s sentences and repeat them immediately after he speaks, imitating his intonation and rhythm. This technique is known as shadowspeak and is effective for mastering the flow of natural conversation.
- Speed Variation: Pay attention to the speed at which Jaafar speaks. He may vary his tempo; practice at a slower pace if necessary, gradually increasing your speed as you become more comfortable.
- Facial Expressions and Tone: Notice the emotions conveyed through his voice and body language. Try to mimic not just the words but the way he delivers them to enhance your expressiveness.
- Chunking Information: Break down long sentences into smaller parts. This makes it easier to digest and reproduce accurate pronunciation. Repeat each chunk slowly before moving to the next.
- Record Yourself: Use your phone or a recording device to capture your practice sessions. Listening to your pronunciations can help identify areas for improvement and track your progress.
This video is a great resource to learn English with YouTube, offering both entertainment and valuable language practice. By shadowing the conversation, you can develop your English speaking skills significantly!
What is the Shadowing Technique?
Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.
☕ Buy us a coffee
ShadowingEnglish remains 100% free thanks to your support. Server and AI costs are high — your coffee keeps us going! 🙏