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Steve Harvey’s morning show blast from an old school boom box that’s sitting in the doorway of the 114th Street and Morningside Parks Department office. Anne a Parks Department employee politely ask a young homeless man to relocate, she wants ensure he isn’t in the way of us or the children. Anne has know idea who were there to interview she’s just doing her job “He needs to get up anyway children play here” Anne says. She makes it her business to protect the kids and look out for her community whether or not it’s apart of her job description. Robert “Bobbito” Garcia
aka Kool Bob Love aka Bobbito The Barber aka Soul Food Bob, shows up on time and completely unaware of the event that just took place.

Just like Anne they both feel a since of responsibility to serve the community. To some the task may seem daunting but to the Puerto Rican born New York City raised Garcia it comes naturally. At age seven Bobbito’s father introduced him to the game of basketball and the rest was history. By fourteen Goat Park named after the late Earl “The Goat” Manigault had become Bobbito’s second home. ” He’d watch us play and give little nods of approval, as I sit here now I can’t help to feel a burst of joy, Earl Manigault told me at fourteen I had a nice jumper” says Bobbito. Those few words spoken to him certainly gave Garcia the confidence to continue playing basketball despite being 5′10 and 165 lbs. After getting an opportunity through the scholarship program ABC (A Better Chance) Bobbito transferred out of Brooklyn Tech in his freshmen year. Far away from 99th Street and Amsterdam Avenue he attended Lower Merion high school in Pennsylvania, which would later be the same high school Kobe Bryant attended. Outside his dorm was a lit basketball court that the first his every seen, late night playground visits allowed for him to improve his game. For the first time he was away from family but he made adjustments “I loved my experience there, living away from home and having to learn how to be a young man” says Garcia.

Bobbito wasn’t recruited to play college ball and cut three years straight from Wesleyan University a Division III school. While playing on the playground back in New York, Bobbito was approached by Ray Diaz a former Pro player for Puerto Rico’s National team and currently runs Nike Pro City Tournament at Hunter College. Ray asked Bobbito was he ready, not quite sure what Ray meant Garcia was being asked to play for his native Puerto Rico. After graduating from Wesleyan University he left for Puerto Rico, Bobbito says “ I played a season in PR had keys to the gym, lived by the beach, free sneakers and gear all at the age of 20. Basketball undeniable can be a ticket out of any neighborhood. For some they fall short mistakenly letting basketball use them getting caught in the allure of having it all.

More then just basketball Bobitio’s education paved the way for future opportunities. For those old enough to recall he had a very popular radio show with another NYC legend DJ Stretch Armstrong. Many of hip hops iconic Emcee’s such as Nas, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, Fugees, Mobb Deep, the late Biggie Smalls, Big Pun and Big L just to name a few have all benefited from the radio show platform. He’s written a book Where’d You Get Those?: New York City’s Sneaker Culture 1960-1987, a collectible for sneaker aficionados. His love for the culture of basketball coupled with a missing voice for playground basketball lead him to create Bounce Magazine with friends Jesse Washington and Sean Couch son of Jim Couch, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s first basketball coach. “We care about the cats that have made their mark outside of high school , college and NBA reigns says Bobbito. In 2006 Bounce became apart of the Dime Magazine family printed five times a year it’s the only magazine dedicated to playground basketball. “I’m actual a park rat I’m most comfortable here (playground) any kid in foster can tell you I’m here all the time. To me it’s not strange, why wouldn’t I be here? I’m of the community I’m from the community, I’m still here kids see me roll up on the bike and they bug out“.

Currently Editor at Large for Bounce Magazine Bobbito has worn many hats as editor, writer and photographer. The last couple of years Bobbito has hosted basketball shows on ESPN and MSG, he’s been hired by Universities and the NBA as a basketball entertainer showing off his skills and tricks at Knicks, Maverick’s and Hornet games. Gracia is the voice of “Eatho” a Blokhedz character featured on Gatorade’s MissionG.com (check out an episode after the jump) and this fall Pro –Keds released his version of their thirty year old Royal Flush classic sneaker.

Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Photo by Daniel Zimmer

Kool Bob Love is the most down to earth brother you’ll ever meet. The formula to cool and grounded in a business that can inflate an ego faster then a Reebok Pump is accredited to strong family values. Bobbitio says “I don’t want be anything but a positive role model to kids” To me its cool not to drink, smoke and be college educated. I enjoy that I strive for that.” Keeping it real means being yourself and more importantly knowing thy self. “I feel fortunate and blessed I’ve been able to create those paths myself. And blaze new territory by being brave, passionate, professional consistent, courteous and kind to people” he says. This past spring/summer his love for music and culture has led him to The Connection Vol. 1 with Rich Medina. Bob and Rich have been collaborating since the late nineties with their Happy Feet parties. The Connection Vol. 1 is a blend of Afro and Latin music. Bobbito says it’s their joy to share under exposed music. Robert “Bobbito” Garcia is a New York legend and loves being around the people, you can find him on the playgrounds or VINYL IS FOREVER at APT his monthly jump-off were he spins a ton of music you won’t hear in most spots. “Never give up and not afraid of failure.” is Bobbito’s answer to success.

MISSIONG.COM Bobbio’s Blokhedz character “Eatho”