Leadoff Legend

Sports, The Good Old Days

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Congratulations to Rickey Henderson, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this afternoon in Cooperstown, NY.  Rickey was my first ever favorite player in any sport.  I was born and lived in Oakland until I was just shy of 6 years old (1978-1984), and when my family moved east to live in New York, Rickey came with us and started playing for the Yankees.  Crazy right?  Not only was he the most exciting player in MLB, but he was my hometown hero, and he threw lefty and batted righty just like me.  His career stats are pretty crazy.  He holds MAD RECORDS, including of course the single season and career record for most stolen bases.  Check his Wikipedia page for more:

Rickey Henderson Wikipedia

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Rickey was inducted along with RBI kingpin Jim Rice (see picture above), another great player I followed alot during my childhood (even though he was on the Red Sox).  80’s baseball was the best, wasn’t it?  I don’t even follow sports that much any more, but back then I lived and breathed baseball.  

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I’m actually planning a trip with my father to go to Cooperstown and reminisce on the good old sandlot days.  We went up there a couple times when I was a kid, once for a White Plains Capitals game on the Cooperstown field (check the pic above with my Pops on the far left and me 4th from the right in the back row), but we haven’t been back since.  Anyway, watch this great special on Rickey Henderson, the greatest leadoff batter of all time…

Ok, now that Rickey Henderson is in the Hall of Fame, it’s time to induct my other favorite baseball player of all time, Don Mattingly aka Donnie Baseball!!!!!!!  There’s actually a website dedicated to getting Mattingly into the Hall of Fame.  Sure, he never won a World Series, but the man deserves to be in there.  Check it out…

Induct Donnie Website

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I still haven’t been to the new stadiums in the Bronx or Queens.  Holler at me if you’ve got some extra tickets.  And stay tuned for Westcheddar’s feature (coming very soon) on one of the greatest and nerdiest baseball games you can play in the comfort of your own home.  No, it’s not a video game.  It’s Dice Baseball.  I’ve been playing with the kids at summer camp and they love it.  Don’t worry, I’ll teach you (or remind you) how to play.  By the way, when is Paul O’Neill going to be eligible for the Hall of Fame?  We gotta get him in there too!!!!

*Bonus*

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I dug into my Isenberg archives for these two pictures.  Above is a great shot of my uncle Steve with Don Mattingly, giving him some sort of New York Newsday Player of the Year Award (SI used to be the Publisher of Newsday).  And below is a picture my Dad got me after a game one time at Stan’s, you know, the store across the street from the old Yankee Stadium under the train tracks.  Now this the Yankees lineup I grew up with.  Can anyone name all the players in this picture?  Leave your answers in the comments section.  Hollerrrrrrr….

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Inspiration Information

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I just stumbled across this fairly new Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings song called “Inspiration Information” from some Dark Was The Night compilation, and I am posting it because, well, it’s dope.  It’s actually a remake of an old song originally done by Shuggie Otis.  Check the new version above, and the old version below.  I like the new version myself, but it’s always good to give props to the creator…

Peace folks…

Bronx Tale

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Yo, I still don’t know what to call these dudes (Flip and Yung Rell?), but I feel their music videos and overall chi.  They are my boy Matty B’s students down in the BX, and the video above is their new clip for a song called “Bac to da Block”.  Check it out, and also check out their other joint “So Long” RIGHT HERE…

River Ciphers Recap

Events, My Dudes, Stan Ipcus, Youth

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The first ever River Ciphers, live from The Rec Room in Dobbs Ferry, was an absolute success.  The store was packed, the performances were great, and the vibe was super positive and fun!  Special thanks to Bahr for helping us to make it happen and providing us with the perfect venue for our cipher.  And a shout out goes to all the performers (some of my young boys from the BGC did their thing as did my boy Matty B above), and of course my dude Marlon “Moshe” Sobol for holding it down on his 28 instruments…HAHAHAHAHA!!  Moshe and I performed some Stan Ipcus songs unplugged in between the open mic performances which came out pretty fresh.  Here’s my two favorites….”Wifey Material” and Let’s Walk”….peep it…

Oh, and we played a game of “SWITCH” with Moshe too.  That was fun, though towards the end he started to auto-switch….ha!  Check it out…

Thanks to everyone who came out to the first ever River Ciphers.  Hope you can make it out for the next one.  All performers and listeners are welcome.  We’re gonna do it again before Labor Day so stay tuned.  Come through and perform, or just sit back and enjoy the music and have a glass of wine or sangria or iced tea.  Or do both!!!!  For more videos from the event, including clips of the open mic performers, please click the link below.  See you next time!!!!

RIVER CIPHERS PERFORMANCE VIDEO PLAYLIST

Juan Epstein x Dirty Jax T-Shirt

My Dudes

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Happy 30th Birthday to my dude Peter Rosenberg aka 1/2 of Juan Epstein (the Jewish half).  Here are some mockups of Dirty Jax’s new collaboration t-shirt with the very popular online Jew-Rican hip hop podcast Juan Epstein hosted by Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds.  Look for these to be available soon.  Oh yeah, Happy One Year Anniversary to the Cipha Sounds and Rosenberg Hot 97 Morning Show.  I’m proud to say that “My Ferris Buellers” was the first song they ever played on the air during their morning time slot (not to mention that they used to bump my intro with Matisyahu on the reg).  Peace out.

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Dirty Jax on Karmaloop

Make Her Say

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This might be the dopest collabo track of the year.  The beat is ill, and I love the way they flipped the Lady Gaga sample.  This is pure hip hop.  Check out the video for Kid Cudi featuring Kanye West and Common “Make Her Say”.  It’s fresh…

Comic to Watch

My Dudes, Published Material

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Westcheddar alumnus Nick Kroll was recently featured by Variety on their 10 Comics To Watch list.  Click the link below to read about all the projects he’s currently working on, and how he’s found his comfort zone doing stand up comedy.  It’s always good to see a friend’s name in print…

Nick Kroll- Variety 10 Comics To Watch

And here’s a funny clip of Nick doing stand up on the Jimmy Kimmel Show earlier this year….

Hey Nick, did your name pop up in your Google Alerts?

*UPDATE*

Check out these two LOL videos featuring Nick on Funny or Die:

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First Born

Interviews, My Dudes, Youth

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I think this summer is the perfect time to introduce my young dude Nivele’s music to the hip hop blogosphere.  Nivele, formerly known as Sosa (birthname Xavier Simmons), is DMX’s oldest son.  Born in Yonkers, Nivele has lived in Mount Kisco, NY for the past decade, and is entering his junior year of high school in the fall.  He’s sixteen, but you’d never know it from his rap skills, or his work ethic.  This kid is dedicated and passionate about his music, and can rap better than most grown men.  His vocab is excellent, his flow is precise, and he’s a professional when it comes to getting in the booth (he one takes most of his verses). 

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Nivele and I have known each other for two years now.  He frequents the Cultural Arts Center I run almost daily, making use of the recording and production equipment we have.  He keeps mostly to himself, but is very popular, and respected by his elders for his talent too.  I posted some of his stuff last summer after he was featured in XXL magazine (see article above), both solo and with his group Hood Legacy, but since then he’s been focusing mostly on his own career and his first official project, 1st Semester, recorded professionally at a local studio with his older friend and mentor producer Black.  He’s sold a bunch of burned copies at school, but for the most part it is still unheard.  So here at Westcheddar, we are going to give it an official launch.  But not today.  Next week, on July 29th, we will release the entire project, which features production by frequent DMX collaborator Dame Grease, his high school friend Matt Millz, and some original production too (in addition to him going in over some industry beats).  Check out this three part interview I did with Nivele where he discusses his creative process, suburban lifestyle, thoughts on current and past rappers (including his dad), meeting Nas and Jay-Z and hanging out with the LOX as a kid, how he plans to make his mark as a rap, uh, excuse me, pop star, and much more…

And here’s three exclusive songs from 1st Semester, which officially drops online for free download next week…

Nivele “Gossip” over the Weezy song

Nivele “Dreams” Produced by Dame Grease

Nivele “Stalker” Produced by Nivele

Stay tuned to Westcheddar for more Nivele, including a track by track interview breakdown of 1st Semester, coming next week along with the free download of the full project…hollerrrrrr.

Stay Still

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I’ve had a couple friends tell me to check out the Dirty Projectors recently, so I did.  I didn’t listened to the whole album yet, so I’m no expert, but I’m a big fan of this song “Stillness is the Move”.  The video is cool too.  This is definitely some next shit.  I’ll let the music and visuals speak for themselves on this one.  Enjoy.

Best of Westchester’s Top 5 Tables of 2009

Events, Interviews, My Dudes, Published Material

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My wife and I, along with my dude Killa Kam, attended the event of the year last night, Westchester Magazine’s Best of Westchester party at the Glen Island Harbor Club in New Rochelle.  Over 2,500 people came out to celebrate the finest Westchester County has to offer.  Best of Westchester winners had tables set up all over the premises, giving out free samples of different foods, drinks, and products.  It’s mad fun just hopping from table to table, schmoozing, and tasting all the amazing dishes (and indulging in every free alcoholic beverage on the premises).  Plus, there’s live music playing inside and outside, and plenty of locals to meet and talk to.  We had a blast (and got blasted) just like last year.  Having lifetime free passes to this event is one of the great perks of writing for Westchester Magazine.  Thanks to “Lawyer Mike” Martinelli for the hook up and hospitality.  And for this year’s Top 5 Tables, I once again will refer to Pelham Bay’s finest food critic and Westcheddar correspondent, Billy Henderson…

Shout to Uncle Ralph for hosting my friends and family. Shouts to the Martinelli’s, Hayes’ and the Krueger’s for being so kind. Shout to Caitlin Krueger for burying Bronxville by her lonesome while Carlito had a national championship ring on his finger. Shouts to Stan Ipcus, Mrs. Ipcus, Killa Kam, and Miss Info. On to the food.

1. Crabtree Kittle House
    11 Kittle Road
    Chappaqua, NY 10514
    www.kittlehouse.com
    914.666.8044

I was served a shrimp dumpling in a ginger broth.  My broth was served by two blondes warm.  Sorry, that’s the effect I have on blondes.  Delicious.

2. The Willett House
    20 Willett Ave.
    Port Chester, NY 10573
    www.thewilletthouse.com
    914.939.1894

Best steak at the place.  Frankie and Johnnie’s or Johnnie’s and Frankie’s need to to step their steak game up.  Holla.

3.   Sushi Mike’s
      146 Main Street
      Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
      www.sushimikes.com
      914.591.0054

They were #1 for three years.  Did they fall off?  Absolutely not.  Did they leave the only Japanese speaking chef alone with me to explain what I was eating?  Yes.  A Westchester County can’t miss.  God bless.

4.    BLT
       Ritz Carlton Westchester
       White Plains, NY 10601
       www.bltrestaurants.com
        (914) 467-5500

They served a braised beef cheek with a jalapeno mashed potato and mango mayo (which is a version of something close to a French Aioli).  I take notes like a retarded two year old.  Sorry.  Very tasty.

5.     Sonora
        179 Rectory Street
        Port Chester, NY 10573 
        www.sonorany.com
        914.933.0200

 A free range chicken/ avocado/ yogurt mix served on a corn cake with a beet vinagarette (a Venezuelan Pepeiada ladies) and a chive oil.  

*Sorry little Iron Chef you didn’t make the list.

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Nice job Billy as usual.  Cop the new Westchester Magazine, at your local news stand now, for the complete rundown of this year’s Best of Westchester winners (cover above).  And check out my Groom Guy blog and Wedding of the Month feature on Westchester Magazine’s website if you missed it.  See you next year.  Scream.