In a powerful and reflective conversation, Bobbito García joined Angie Martinez to discuss his newly released memoir, Bobbito’s Book of B-Ball, Bong Bong: A Memoir of Sports, Style and Soul. What unfolded was more than an interview—it was a masterclass in creativity, authenticity, and what it means to build a life on your own terms while staying grounded in community and culture.
🎙️ A Life in Motion
From rocking courts in NYC to shaping sneaker and DJ culture across the globe, Bobbito has never followed a traditional path. “I don’t move with a plan, I move with rhythm,” he told Angie, capturing the essence of a life built on instincts, not strategy. Whether he's directing films, spinning records, or writing books, García’s path has always followed what feels real in the moment.
🏀 Basketball Was the First Love
Long before becoming a tastemaker and media voice, Bobbito was grinding on the hardwood. He recounted how he went from getting cut in college to eventually playing professionally in Puerto Rico in 1987. “Basketball gave me a purpose,” he said, remembering hours spent at Rock Steady Park, where basketball, hip-hop, and graffiti culture blended into his DNA.
📀 Music Is Family
One of the most emotional moments in the interview came when Bobbito shared that his most prized vinyl isn’t a rare hip-hop record, it’s a 7" recording of his father, a Latin jazz musician, performing live. He only discovered the record after his father passed, calling it “a spiritual find.”
📚 The Memoir: A Deep, Personal Dive
The book, released by indie publisher Akashic Books, was written in just seven months. It’s raw, vulnerable, and full of soul. “Writing this was cathartic,” Bobbito said. It includes stories about growing up Puerto Rican in NYC, his journey in and out of organized basketball, and how sports helped him shape identity and community.
The memoir also gives shine to his Full Court 21 tournament—his one-of-a-kind 1-v-5 basketball challenge that now runs in 30 cities worldwide. It’s another example of how Bobbito redefines what's possible when you blur the lines between sport, creativity, and culture.
💼 From Messenger to Music Executive
Bobbito also reflected on his come-up at Def Jam, starting as a messenger making $5/hour and climbing to A&R. His story is one of hustle, resilience, and leveraging relationships, without ever selling out. “It wasn’t about chasing success, it was about adding value to the culture,” he said.
🎬 DIY Everything
With zero formal training, Bobbito directed Stretch & Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives and Rock Rubber 45s, among others. “Nobody taught me to be a filmmaker. I just did it,” he said, dropping gems for any creator who’s waiting on permission to start.
📸 The Photographer Few Know
Though best known for his voice and vision, Bobbito has also captured the game through his lens. His 35mm basketball photos have appeared in major campaigns and museums, yet it’s a side of him many never knew. Another layer to a man who’s never fit into a box.
🔥 Final Word
More than a memoir, Bobbito’s Book of B-Ball, Bong Bong is a blueprint for reinvention—an invitation to build your own lane, honor your roots, and create with purpose.
“Whether it’s a basketball, a pen, or a camera, I just try to leave something meaningful behind,” he told Angie.
And he has—on the court, in the culture, and now, in print.