The Points Throwback Version

Lets take a sec to think back...

THROWBACK CO SPORTS:

-Former CU Buff Alferd Williams was elected to the college football hall of fame, the fifth Buff to be enshrined and first from the Mac glory years. There could be a few more from his generation (Joe Garten, Eric Bienemy, Matt Russell, maybe Darian Hagan) to get some consideration. But this is Alferd's moment, as he is a true bleed Black and Gold Buff as there is (check the emotional Al as he is told of the honor- hard for us fellow Buffs not to get a bit misty.) I've seen a lot of players in Boulder, but Alferd had the fastest first defensive step off the edge. It always seemed Al was two to three strides around the edge by the time a offensive tackle even got his hands up. Big ups.

THROWBACK HIP HOP:

-With the unofficial start of summer this weekend, the mind gets to thinking of years gone by and the Summer music scenes. It seems that no matter what type of music you enjoy, that Summer always brings back some memories of a certain album, group, or song that framed the soundtrack of what was the haps in your own life. Hip Hop is no exception, as the Summer always brings the ruckus of back in the day. So what is the best Summer of Hip Hop music? 1992 was strong, perhaps the power of the group. Cypress Hill was still blowing up, with House of Pain continuing the vibe (couldn't go to a party in 9-2 without "Jump Around.") Quality releases from Gangstarr, Fu Schnickens, Showbiz and AG (can I get a soul clap?), Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Yo! MTV Raps and Rap City, the innovation of Das EFX, EPMD's final release before breakup, a host of singles and b-sides and the beginning of the Death Row Era with Snoop and Dre's "Deep Cover."

I've always considered the Summer of 1998 a darkhorse, as it seemed to be the last summer before Hip Hop became so fragmented. DMX was hitting hard, another quality Gangstarr release, Lauryn Hill, Xzibit came with his quality sophmore effort, and the pure sickness that was Big Pun's debut.

But for my money I've always had a soft spot for the Summer of 1995. The young Commish had one of those summers we all fondly remember and Hip Hop was at the forefront. The music had that rugged, East Coast vibe, Biggie was still blowing up (his Junior Mafia verses were just bananas- "if robbery's a class, than I passed it"...damn), and lyricism seemed to be at a premium (as Special Ed asked on "Lyrics.") Wu was not even at their peak, as Rae's "Ice Cream," Meth and Mary's "You're All I Need" and ODB's debut were on blast all summer. "Shook Ones" and those kids with the Hennessy shirts, Nine, Big L, and Primo's Group Home. Funk Flex brought toghether Biz, ODB, and Charlie Brown on "Nuttin But Flavor." Channel Live with KRS (I loved how they never had a "featuring KRS-One" on "Mad Izm" they just - bam! - came out wit the track and there he was.) Smif N Wesson flipping Grover Washington's "Just the Two of Us" on the "Wreckonize" was just ill, and of course Naughty came with their last Summer Anthem with "Feel Me Flow." Das Efx bounced back after a subpar second album with the "Real Hip Hop" and even the most fervent East Coast heads were humming "I Got Five On It."

THROWBACK BEER:

-Hey! It's the first day of summer, we should get toghether and drink 528 beers! Or better yet, 5280 beers between nine of us! Oh wait, been there done that. Once again, there will be no Slushy Gutter Summer Challenge this year. My liver just can't fathom the thought. I retrospect, 2007's group challenge was just redonkulous with how many brews were downed. Check the side bar for the trip down memory lane, you might get a buzz from the transcriptions.