We Love You, Gustavo Robles, aka “Kaboom,” and raise your name before all of our Neighborhood

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Gustavo Robles, second from the left, with life-long childhood friends mourning the sudden loss of another giant in our community, Sergio Rios, in 2024.

“Every Pueblito has a coranzito, an inimitable essence for its people. A deep glow from above and below.”

Wherever Gustavo went, raucous laughter tended to ensue, along with an unmistakable camaraderie for and from the people around him. The fact is that it was a special gift how he went so naturally from goofing off with the homeboys to sliding off in front of the homegirls, then still finding time to offer a helping hand to the Señoras of our Pueblito. Together with his entirely contagious smile, these qualities made him a central figure anywhere in our neighborhood one of us was fortunate enough to find him.

Love is a flame; one that kindles more love from everything it touches. Gustavo embodied it every day and in every direction, so now in every direction we mourn and hold and uplift each other as he would have us do. In a world still dividing our families between borders and tearing away at our roots at every turn, it’s a gift to connect with those who still abide by everyone they meet as a sacred code of conduct; that’s what this young man was and what he will live indefinitely in our memories for.

We will have even more to recount in the wake of this champion’s sudden passing via Making a Neighborhood. Please subscribe to the Newsletter to be sure you don’t miss it.

Above all, our deepest condolences go to his friends, family, and everyone else who treasured Gustavo with us.

J.T.

SURPRISE! EPISODE 150 WITH THE SOCIAL PRIMATE PODCAST

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2024 has been an incredible year, but today I’ve got one more present for the Los Cuentos listenership before it’s over: The 150th episode of the Social Primate Podcast featuring yours truly, which aired live on Tuesday, December 17th, 2024. In the special program, as noted by Eddie Aguirre, my colleague and podcaster from another broadcaster:

“Together, we dive into the untold stories of Los Angeles, including captivating listener-submitted pieces that bring the city, its people and our shared human experiences to life. If you love authentic storytelling and hearing the voices of LA’s vibrant communities, this episode is for you. Don’t miss it!”

Enjoy it, and until the next one, Los Angeles!

J.T.

SAY HELLO TO THE NEW L.A. PUBLIC PRESS

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Mariah Castañeda is the co-founder of Los Angeles Public Press, “an independent, non-profit newsroom advocating for a better Los Angeles.” In this chat, we discuss her upbringing through Adelanto, California and Huntington Park, as well as her hosting work for one of the bests podcasts in recent memory for L.A., The Sellout. Mariah also tells us about key goals for the L.A. Public Press as a fledgling news organization in L.A. County, and even shouts out the brand-new Smogland Radio podcast!

To make a one-time donation to my fundraiser for the 9th anniversary of JIMBO TIMES, please do so through jmbtms.com. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast, please see my new page at PATREON.

J.T.

THE LATINA MIXTAPE REVIEW: FROM NEW YORK TO L.A.

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Suzy Exposito is a born writer, whose Belizean-American mom taught her to read as early as 3 years old. She is also the founder of “The Mixtape Club” at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in her ole stomping grounds of Jacksonville, Florida. Since 2020, she has been a music reporter with the L.A. Times and is now also a culture columnist with their new De Los platform and initiative.

In our convo, we talk especially about the impact of movement-making in the 2010s on the music industry and pop culture today; we also share some thoughts on the evolution (or lack thereof) of certain artists over the last decade, including Drake, Tyler the Creator, and more. You can read Suzy’s interview with Bad Bunny—Rolling Stone’s first cover story authored by a Latina—here; and you can keep up with her via “X” at @hexpositiveh or via Instagram at @brujacore.

To make a one-time donation to my fundraiser for the 9th anniversary of JIMBO TIMES, please do so through jmbtms.com. To support the production of J.T. the L.A. Storyteller Podcast, please see my new page at PATREON.

J.T.