On Dec. 27, 2009, I slid out to Houston’s H-Town Sneaker Summit to spin some records in front of 1,000+ local heads. Bun B of UGK gave me the ridiculous intro on stage that had me buggin’. DJ Greg Street, a world-renowned kicks collector, also showed me mad love while I was spinnin’. Mad props to Kadoma and the whole crew. Look forward to going back!
Just the other day, I posted about NYC playground legend/Puerto Rican Pro League champion Angelo “Munch” Cruz (read it here). Well, today I found the above clip of him doing his thing down in PR. Check the crossover at 5:10!
Unfortunately, Angel Cruz has been missing for the last 10 years. Missing as in there is no record of his existence anywhere–not in any morgue, hospital, prison, where ever. If anyone has information about his whereabouts and would like to reunite him with his concerned family and friends, kindly reach out to Mike Napolitano at nappynap@excite.com or 646 239 7450.
Angelo Cruz in 1979, photo courtesy of El Museo Del Deportes De Puerto Rico
If you peeped our Bounce Magazine #19 “Puerto Rico Issue,” you would’ve read about Angelo “Monchito” Cruz, a guard who became a playground legend here in NYC and a champion in PR’s pro league. Click here to see his article online if you don’t have our printed copy. It’ll be worth your while!
At 5′9″, “Munch” was known to cuff it on big men, drop guards on defense, hit 30+ . . . you know, all that street highlight glory that we love talking about here. He was that dude.
Unfortunately, Angel Cruz has been missing for the last 10 years. Missing as in there is no record of his existence anywhere–not in any morgue, hospital, prison, where ever. If anyone has information about his whereabouts and would like to reunite him with his concerned family and friends, kindly reach out to Mike Napolitano at nappynap@excite.com or 646 239 7450. Read More »
Just peeped Cincinnati beating UConn highlights . . . Lance Stephenson hit two freebies with less than a tick on the tock to win it . . . In his first TV interview as Bearcat (courtesy of Fox 19), the Coney Island guard shouted me out for blessin’ him with the nickname “Born Ready.” Good lookin’, fams!
Also, peep him bop the nacho cheese out of a Xavier guard, whoa:
Found this clip titled “The Original Shamgod From Coney Island (Hajji ‘91) on youtube and really enjoyed peeping the vintage pick-up run (plus a young Stephon Marbury is spotted on the sideline, maybe he had next?).
I talked about Spike Lee, who I’ve worked on several films and TV commercials with, and Kobe Bryant, who shares the same high school alma mater as me, at the Kobe Doin’ Work documentary premiere at the ‘09 Tribeca Film Festival, check it out:
Just coming across this interview now, but thought I’d share as it contains footage of me announcing the NBA 2K10 dunk contest feature, check check check it out!
On November 21, 2009, DJ Spinna and I took our WONDER-FULL STEVIE WONDER TRIBUTE to Paris for the first time in the ten years we’ve been doing the event. 1,400 heads came out and danced their ka-bookies off! Check out video footage courtesy of Free Your Funk:
NYC native Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love is Bounce Magazine's Co-Founder, and the critically acclaimed author of "Where'd You Get Those? NYC's Sneaker Culture 1960-1987" (Testify Books). He has performed basketball tricks at NBA halftime shows with Project Playground and on TV commercials. He has hosted MSG-TV's "Summerball" series, voiced 2K Sports NBA 2K video games, and anchored ESPN2's "It's the Shoes" series. He designed signature Nike Air Force 1s released for the model's 25th anniversary. A world class DJ, this former pro player in Puerto Rico still runs regularly in Harlem's playgrounds, and is currently co-directing a documentary titled DOIN' IT IN THE PARK: PICK-UP BASKETBALL, NYC (www.doinitinthepark.com). For all info, check www.facebook.com/bobbitogarciaakakoolboblove