Scribbler's Highlight of the Week: Tony Parker's Improbable Dagger

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena, the Heat were starting to get some momentum back after the San Antonio Spurs reclaimed the lead in the middle of the fourth quarter for the first time since the first quarter.  After Manu Ginobili's ill-advised three-ball attempt from Jupiter and Danny Green's foul of Ray Allen beyond the three-point arc, Allen made three straight clutch free throws.  Although he took a few errant jump shots in the waning minutes of the game, LeBron James took the ball to the rim a few times to inch even closer.  In the last minute, they made sure that the Spurs couldn't get off any easy shots with swarming defense.  However, that didn't stop Tony Parker from exemplifying the age-old saying "nothing beats a failure but a try"...

Scribbler's Borrowers & Lenders of the Week: Big K.R.I.T., "Boobie Miles"

There's a huge reason why Big K.R.I.T. is one of my favorite rappers and producers among the newer breed of hip-hop artists: he has an awesome ear for good music, particularly in picking samples.  When I first heard "Boobie Miles" from 4eva N A Day (2012), I was absolutely in love with the song just because of the sample.  He could've been talking about penguins and polar bears over that beat and I would've thought it was the greatest song ever--or at least of 2012.  However, he actually spit something of worth and made an extremely motivational music video--a rarity among today's "creative" minds.  Hence, here's the version as made popular by this week's "borrower":

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).