CONTINENTAL JETSETTERS ALERT...DIRK WANTS YOU!!!

So in an effort to expand my blog, I had the bright idea to include "swagger".  However, before I begin, I understand that word often has a tricky connotation.  Many people believe that you have to spend goo-gobs of money on everything you wear or that you have to look like certain people in order to exude "swagger".  (Yeah, I know, I featured Jay and Bey, but it goes with my fly guy and girl thing.  Work with me, cuzzo.)  Those who truly set the standard or at least understand what it takes to do so know better.  The true meaning of "swagger" has been lost in translation and we've come to associate it with "conceitedness", but the Irish origins of the word suggest that swagger is more of a "coolness" in the way someone walks or carries themselves.  "Swagger" is more internal than it is external, and what's on the outside is merely a microcosmic reflection of what's on the inside.  Thus, we come to the reason for this post: I want to celebrate YOU.  

I'm starting a new series called "Scribbler's Continental Jetsetters of the Month" where I feature one man and one woman (or it can be a couple) that exhibit undeniable style and grace by using their fashion as a means of expression.  If you believe that you are a "Continental Jetsetter", then I simply need you to do a few things.  First, please find your best money pic.  (Pic requirements are simple: it can be a full-body pic or a face pic, but make sure it's your best no matter what.)  Second, please include a narrative about who you are, how your style came to be, what your style says about you and your personality, personal interests and/or causes, any advice that you can lend to those needing inspiration to tap into their swagger, and how people can connect with you via social media.  Third, please email all of this to dirk.scribbler.dc@gmail.com and type "Continental Jetsetter" or "Swagger" in the subject line.  Submissions will be accepted up until the 24th of every month, so PLEASE start sending those emails ASAP!  Thanks in advance, and I hope to feature YOU as my "Continental Jetsetter"!

Scribbler's Throwback of the Week: The Nutty Professor Quartet Grand Finale

 

If you've been following this portion of my "Throwback of the Week" series, then you already know what time it is: "Lillo, Peabo, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass...TEDDY P!"  The late, great Philly soul singer rounds out my aptly-named quartet, but I'm throwing y'all a curve ball: I'm not featuring "Close the Door"...kinda.  I know, don't be so disappointed, but what person that calls themselves an R&B fan doesn't know that song?  Besides, we do things a little different 'round here, slim.  So I started thinking about Teddy P songs sampled in hip-hop songs, and I had quite a few choices.  "Love TKO" is too easy and so is "Come Go With Me".  Almost rolled with "Can't We Try", which was sampled in Ghostface Killah's "Camay".  However, I dug a little more for a record that not everybody knows about but is still one of his better songs: "Easy, Easy, Got To Take It Easy".

Scribbler's Native Tongue Mixtape Pick (Local Edition): Just Ace, "Time Travel Mixtape"

I absolutely love stumbling upon mixtapes, EPs and albums that pleasantly surprise me--especially when I either don't know what to expect from it or don't expect much out of it at all.  When I first discovered the featured local mixtape of [what was supposed to be a review for the month of] April, I just randomly picked it from DatPiff.  I saw that although it didn't have the fanfare of many other mixtapes on the site--honestly, there's an endless sea of mixtapes to sift through, and that's just from the DMV alone--it had enough streams to steer me towards downloading it.  Didn't appear to be like a lot of the average mixtapes on the site--album art with half-naked women, people counting money, random cocaine scales, extravagant houses and/or cars, and the like--so I figured what the heck.  What I got was a seven-track, 24-minute diamond in the rough from Northern Virginia rapper Just Ace, Time Travel Mixtape (presented by Vintage Innovation).

Scribbler's Native Tongue Mixtape Pick: Big K.R.I.T., "King Remembered In Time"

In becoming the new face of Mississippi hip-hop, it is extremely difficult to argue that Big K.R.I.T. hasn't been able to live up to the lofty expectations behind his acronym.  Outside of Kanye West, very few hip-hop artists have received more critical acclaim as a rapper and producer from various hip-hop "crowds" than Big K.R.I.T.  With a slew of successful mixtapes and a Def Jam album under his belt thus far, his impressive catalog can match, if not altogether surpass, that of any celebrated rapper that has come out in the past 5-10 years.  However, none of that matters to Krizzle.  He makes it abundantly clear that he wants more and shows an adamant refusal to slack off with his latest mixtape, King Remembered In Time.

Scribbler's Highlight of the Week: King James' Last-Second Layup

Good offense typically beats bad defense, especially when that good offense comes from the best basketball player on the planet in LeBron James.  I don't even know if Miami Heat teammate Shane Battier recognized that as he delivered an inbound pass to "King James", but he knew exactly where to pass the ball.  Now some people don't think this is very clutch simply because the defense wasn't there.  I don't understand how Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel leaves center Roy Hibbert out of the game in a critical moment like this.  With Paul George having the tall order of stopping a man amongst boys, LeBron refused to settle for a jump shot as he would've in the past.  LJ tapped into his inner MJ, smelled blood in the water and became a great white in a matter of 2.2 seconds.  He absolutely refused to let his team drop the first game on their home court and said, "If I get the ball, I'm gonna do what I do best: drive straight to the basket."  LeBron blew right by George without a real rim protector left on the floor for the Pacers as insurance, scores and it's good night, good morning.  That's clutch enough for my blood.