Here’s a classic joint for you created by my man The Earl back in 2007 for the launch of the official Bball Junkies website. This one’s entitled the BBJ Theme Song. Some of you might have heard it already but if you haven’t, take a listen to what The Earl cooked up and turned around in a couple of days. Later this week, I’ll post some joints from The Earl vs BBJ: Jumpball collaboration mixtape. You can catch some of The Earl’s posts on BBJ, writing about what’s new in the world of music.
Check out this animated film created by Mabona Origami entitled, “Pursuit of Perfection”. It’s a film created for shoe company ASICS, also known as Onitsuka back in the day. For those of you who don’t know, Onitsuka was the first sports shoe company in Japan founded by Kirachiro Onitsuka in 1949, which later formed ASICS in 1977.
In case you missed the Kobe Bryant interview by Magic Johnson during the Lakers versus Celtics game on Christmas Day, here the full version. Two of my favorite NBA players of all time.
Check out the re-release of the Ballistic Ball Bag brought to you by Undefeated and Incase. It’s a pretty dope looking bag for $172.00. It might not be too late to ask Santa for it. If you do get one…keep it close ’cause ya might get jacked! Available at UNDFTD LA or www.undftd.com.
Check out this new commercial set out by Nike which features Kobe Bryant, DJ AM and Mike Epps playing a game of H-O-R-S-E, with the loser giving up his pair of sneakers. This commercial was set out to promote the launch of the new Nike Zoom Kobe IV ID on NikeID.com.
This is just a reminder…if you’re in the San Francisco area this week, make sure to look up my man Bobbito. He will actually be out there on December 12th, for another event that he’s spinnin’…For more detailed information on his upcoming events this week, check out his post on Bounce Mag entitled: Upcoming Gigs. Peep the photo taken during the Wonder-Full LA3 event, of Bobbito and the nice video backdrop of Stevie.
Okay party people, the homies at Footlong Development got another one for you called FLAVORS at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on December 12th. DJ Spinna (Wonderwax) and J.Rocc (World Famous Beat Junkies) will be taking you back to the ol’ school by rockin’ Hip Hop, Reggae and R&B classics from the 90’s. Damn, this is something that’s definitely needed…it’s was when Hip Hop was at it’s finest. The Golden Era. So for pre-sale tickets go visit: www.going.com/flavors08.
The wonderful people over at KRUNK are now presenting the first-ever hand-pulled silkscreen prints from the legendary artist, Futura. If you don’t remember, Futura was out here in Los Angeles this past September. You can peep out the photos from a previous post I did entitled: Futura: Strategic Synchronicity. Now collectors have the opportunity to own a piece of the show. KRUNK has recreated two of the key abstract paintings from the collection by using highly developed techniques of serigraphy, and they made sure every detail of the original works by Futura were done with clarity and artistic craftsmanship. The two prints, “Fornax Alpha” and “Helix Object” will only be limited to 100 pieces each and are available to purchase on December 10th. Website subscribers are able to pre-order them on December 8th. Each of the prints are 39″x45″, numbered, dated and signed by Futura. Check out the photos below.
Oh my goodness! Christmas came to me a little early this year from my Secret Santa coming all the way from the campus in Beaverton, Oregon. I guess I wasn’t naughty this year after all! Anyways, I wanted to share some of the photos of the sneakers that showed up on my doorstep. Some Nike Air Force I Mid Supreme CB34 (Rustic/Dark Cinder/Soft Orange), Nike Air Max Spot Up Dirk Nowitzki Player Exclusives (White/Navy/Silver), and Nike Air Zoom Rebound (Black/Lime Green). Thank you Secret Santa, you shouldn’t have…But I’m glad you did! While I keep the CB34’s on ice, I want to try out the Air Max Spot Up’s and see if I can hit a jumper like Dirk Diggler!
If you ever get a chance to peep out some movies over the holidays make sure to check out this film, Sucker Free City directed by Spike Lee and written by Alex Tse. This film originally premiered as a two-hour pilot on the Showtime Network back in 2004. I finally got a copy of it from a friend of mine at 40 Acres and a Mule. This film is based in San Francisco City aka Sucker Free City and follows 3 young men and how their lives violently cross paths in this urban setting. K-Luv (Anthony Mackie) is a member of an African-American street gang, Lincoln (Ken Leung) is a Chinese-American involved in the Chinese Mafia and Nick (Ben Crowley) is the American boy that moves into the wrong neighborhood. After years of waiting and anticipation to see this film it is definitely worth it, I highly recommend it. You can rent it at Blockbuster or Netflix. Once again, another Spike Lee classic y’all!
So I’m still buggin’ out on the fact that Bobbito Garcia is rockin’ a BBJ Logo Tee on NBA2K9. I still get hit up from the homies on how sick that is to have one of my shirts immortalized on a video game by a legendary cat like Bobbito. It’s pretty amazing. But for reals…It’s been a long time since I’ve played these video games. They get harder and harder every year (I guess I’m getting old). The controls are different, the game play is crazy advanced and I’m too proud to read the damn manual. I get schooled by my 8-year old cousin every single time I play him and he talks trash on top of it. But I have to admit, it’s hella fun though. Pick up the game if you haven’t already (available in PC, Xbox 360, PS2 and PS3). So in honor of the BBJ Logo Tee making its way onto NBA2K9 thanks to Mr. Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love, I will offer the same t-shirt for all that is interested on our website at a sale price. Check the BBJ Shop for details (it should be up this week - I promise). Also, peep out the post Bobbito did on Bounce Magazine entitled: NBA2K9…Virtually Me. Aiight!!
So earlier in the month of November, my man Bobbito Garcia was in Tokyo, Japan for an event that he did with Rock Steady Crew President Crazy Legs and DJ Tony Touch. Damn, it would have been nice to be out there. Peep the photos below. While he was out there representin’, he was also spotted rockin’ a fresh BBJ My3Sons Tee. Yo Bob, the shirt does match your sneaks! To read more about Bobbito’s journey to Tokyo check out a couple of the posts he wrote entitled: Crazy, Touch & Love Rock Japan and The Dogyard Japan, definitely some good reads. Domo Arrigato Bobbito.
Here’s a new segment on BBJ that I like to call: Pick-N-Roll. Don’t laugh, I know it sounds corny, but it makes sense. The post will feature some dope products that are out there right now, that if I’m out shopping I would definitely pick and roll with it. Hence the title of the post: Pick-N-Roll. Anyways, today I’d like to feature some t-shirts that I would roll with, if I’m not wearing BBJ. One designed by Jeff Staple (Staple Design) and the other one from Sam Flores (12 Grain). Just like how Stockton and Malone run the play, these products were well executed. Two dope designers in the game right now that are my personal favorites. Check out the photos below. Watch out, you’ll get hooked on the phrase, too.
Damn, it’s been a while since I posted anything (I apologize). I was on vacation 2 weeks ago, and I feel like I’m still on vacation mode. Y’all know how it is. Anyway, I had the opportunity to go visit the beautiful island of Oahu and chill with some family in Pearl City. While I was there, I got the chance to meet up with Todd, Ryan, Jun, Justin and Keith from In4mation last week while I was enjoying the Hawaiian sun. If y’all don’t know about In4mation, they’ve been in the game for quite some time. They’re Hawaii’s premiere retailer of skate and streetwear located at Ward Warehouse in Honolulu. They also got another store called Aloha Army located in Waikiki. The crew at In4mation are well respected in the industry and it’s great knowing that they took some time out to meet with me, despite their busy schedules. It’s the first time I met ‘em, and they’re the coolest cats you’d ever meet, definitely treated me like family. So if you ever find yourself visiting Hawaii, make sure you stop by and check out these stores. Shout outs go to the family at In4mation. Yo Todd, thanks for the t-shirts brotha! For more info visit www.in4mants.com and www.alohaarmy.com.
Back at you with another music inspired rant, but always with a BBJ flavor mixed in. This month I will be discussing the traditional essence of making Hip Hop beats. Now production on a whole can be done in a slew of ways…from live instrumentation to using keyboards for your beats or even computer programs, however this session involves getting those fingers dusty. Using records and a drum machine has been a formula that over the years has produced countless number of classic Hip Hop songs. So I decided to pull out a few records from the crates and assemble a beat for y’all. In this particular case, a total of 6 records were used to piece together this joint (check the pic). Here are the records I used: Fleetwood Mac, Terry Callier, The Undistriputed Truth, Ferrante & Teicher, Elliot Randall, and The J. Geils Band. I got the main groove from one record, but also found a nice snare on a different song from that record, then used another record for the vocal snippet, and so on. The whole fun in being able to make beats, in my opinion, is to be able to use pieces from different records and splice them together to come up with your own collage. Check out the beat below. Any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up…thespearl@AOL.com…Enjoy!
Alright y’all! Finally…the photos of the highly anticipated Bball Junkies Fall08/Winter09 Lineup are now available for your viewing. Product will be available to purchase on Tuesday, October 28th (The start of the NBA regular season - how appropriate). These items are hot off the press, so get ‘em while supplies last. I got one more to print so hang tight. Check out the BBJ Shop for details.
Last night, BBJ had the opportunity to roll up to Wonder-Full LA3 thanks to Asad at Footlong Development, and let me tell you…that place was bangin’! The night was spent listening to tracks that were either written, produced, sampled from, remixed or sang by Stevie Wonder. Bobbito Garcia and DJ Spinnawere both holdin’ it down (as they always do) and provided a combination of joints that got the crowd moving. During some moments throughout the night, the place turned into a huge karaoke club where everyone in the place was singing their asses off. The club was filled with a positive vibe with a little over a thousand heads in attendance. Upstairs they had live screen printing being done by Hit+Run, where people were able to pick and choose 3 out of 6 designs that were available and have them printed anywhere on the shirt. It’s a great concept! There was also live painting being showcased in front of everyone. Lastly, we were able to link up with Bobbito really quick to show him some of the new Bball Junkies gear for Fall 08/Winter 09 that will be ready to drop this week (stay posted), and he rocked one of the new joints immediately the rest of the night. Next stop for Bobbito and Spinna is The Do-Over. Check out some of the photos from Wonder-Full LA3 (Damn, I wish I had my other camera)! By the way, it’s because of this event last year, Asad was able to give Bobbito the BBJ logo tee (Thanks brotha).
So my man Bobbito Garcia hit me on the email the other day lettin’ me know that he was the announcer on the dunk contest mode for the newly released video game NBA 2K9 (by the way - he’s also the announcer’s voice on the video game NBA Street Vol 2 & 3). If y’all don’t know about NBA 2K9 - it’s only one of the hottest basketball video games out there. Anyways, so Bobbito says…Do you recognize the shirt I’m wearing??? I said to myself - No f*@kin’ way! Then as soon as I was able to upload the image on to my iPhone…Sure enough - Bobbito Garcia is rockin’ a BBJ Logo Tee on the video game!!!! Bobbito - you’re dope brotha, thank you! Check out the screenshot below. Oooohhhhh wwweeeee!!!!
Yo, if you’re in the SoCal area and lookin’ for a dope basketball league…peep out Superstar Basketball League located in Walnut, California. Here they got everything including a website dedicated to the league, Sortable Statistics, Player of the Week accolades, Top 5 Games of the Week, an Awards Show, and something I was able to check out for myself, the All-Star Game loaded with a 3-point contest and a dunk contest (To check out some of the dunks - Click Here). This league has definitely gotten some attention these past couple of seasons. With some familiar names playing in the league like Tracy Murray, Cameron Murray, Lamond Murray, Sean Rooks, Jeff Trepagnier, and The Game. It’s a recreational league with all the bells & whistles, and you can check them out on www.superstarbasketball.org. Big ups to my man Hanz for doin’ the damn thang! Check out some of the photos during my visit.
Check out The Do-Over on Sunday, May 19th at Cranes Hollywood Tavern where they’ll have some special mystery guests in attendance. I “WONDER” who they will be? The jam starts at 2pm til 10pm, but you gotta reserve your spot. If you wanna RSVP, log onto www.thedoover.net. Do your weekend all over at the do-over!
Project Butterfly invites you to a very special and unique One Man Show by Justin Bua on October 6th from 7 - 10 pm in Downtown LA. Many of us know BUA as an artist, on this night we get to see more of what this man has to offer, buckle your seat belts, as we get an up close and personal tour of BUA’s art and the life from which it spawns. For more information visit www.projectbutterfly.org.
Alright y’all…Here’s another opportunity that can’t pass you by. Wonder-Full is coming back to the west coast again, this time at the Echoplex in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 18th from 9 - 2:30am. Presented by Footlong Development and Keistar Productions with some special screen printing by Hit+Run. The show is featuring DJ Spinna and my man Bobbito Garcia aka Kool Bob Love, with an opening set by DJ Rashida. I can’t hardly wait for it. Peep out the flyer below for more details.
So my man Wu and I had the opportunity to check out the highly anticipated solo exhibition of legendary artist Futura on Saturday and we were not disappointed by any means. We were both in amazement from the get go as we walked through the doors and saw the 20-foot Pointman Figure painted on the wall. The entire collection that was presented was something you had to check out up close. The attention to detail involved in each piece got you scratchin’ your head and wondering how the hell did he do that in that short amount of a time. The gallery setting was totally perfect as it provided an atmosphere that had an industrial-type feel to it in the middle of Downtown LA. Overall a great experience and the people from KRUNK were definitely cool. I leave you with some words from the man himself which sums up the whole exhibit…”I consider it my best work. When I started on it, I could feel myself about to explode: it reflects my growth and evolution. I want this work considered on its merits…and in that sense I’m going right back to the beginning of the story” - FUTURA.
In the midst of football season, I’ve been jonesin’ for some basketball action. So I finally had the chance to rent a film that I’ve been wanting to see for awhile. “Something to Cheer About”, which was released in 2002, is a documentary that is based on the 1950’s high school basketball team at Crispus Attucks in Indiana. In 1955, the Tigers were the first all black high school team to win a state championship. They where coached by the lengendary Ray Crowe and had some great players like Hallie Bryant, Willie Gardner and the “Big O” Oscar Robertson. This is definitely a must see film for all you Bball Junkies. They paved the way for how we play basketball today..Uptempo and High-Flying with high scoring games.
What up ya’ll? Let me get you up to speed with a few new Hip Hop releases that I’m sure will be worth your money. Jake One “White Van Music”, Termanology “Politics As Usual” and Diamond D “Huge Hefner Chronicles”. All these releases are due for a late September/early October release date.
Jake One is a producer out of Seattle who has been on the grind for the last few years. Coming up in the late 90’s with the Conmen tape series featuring samples, Jake has always had deep crates and over the last few years has shown his beat expertise, as he has cooked up some classic shit. Among those are De La Soul’s Rock Co Flow, John Cena’s The Time Is Now, and my personal favorite Arcee’s Super Educated. The album features a slew of mainstream and underground artists from Busta Rhymes to Posdunos to Freeway down to Brother Ali. A definite pick up.
Termanology’s “Politics As Usual” is perhaps one of the most anticipated album’s of the year. Besides the fact that Term is nice on the mic, the production roster is like the assembly of the original Dream Team (there is my basketball reference). From the likes of Primo, Pete Rock, Hi Tek, the Nottz, Easy Moe Bee, the Alchemist, Large Proffessor, Havoc, damn I just lost my breath writing that down. Another definite pick up.
Last but not least is the veteran outta the Bronx, Diamond D. This is Diamond’s third full length album and will feature production from the likes of the Nottz to Jake One to Illmind and himself. Being part of the world famous DITC crew, Diamond has always prided himself on using nothing but the finest beats, and I’m sure nothing will be different on this record.
Go out and support all these artist and all that they participate in. Peace, the EARL
