Remembering his rugged roots

HE PENNED, in 2013, a twisted tale of growing up in "Killadelphia" titled Buck, and tomorrow, award-winning author and filmmaker M.K. Asante releases the official soundtrack to his memoir.

He spoke with me recently about working on this audio compilation with Brooklyn-bred rapper Talib Kweli, CEO of Javotti Media. Calling it a "hip-hop approach to his literary work," the soundtrack is dedicated to all the "young bucks" in Philadelphia and beyond.

Asante, 32, was in town Friday speaking with students at Cornerstone Christian Academy (1939 S. 58th St.) to promote his book and maybe inspire some kids in the process. Asante is the son of Temple University professor and scholar Molefi Kete Asante and Temple choreographer Kariamu Welsh.

"I'm telling [the students] that their story is important," Asante told me. "Their story matters. It's important to know that."

His son, Wonderful Legacy, passed away during the recording of the soundtrack. He was alive for only three days before succumbing to anencephaly, a birth defect that is always fatal.

"We often get so sad about death, but the way I see it, he taught me more in three days than some people I've known my whole life have taught me - the fragility of life - the miracle of life," he said.

Asante said that tomorrow's soundtrack release doubles as his debut as a rapper. He'll be back in Philly on May 20 for a reading and book signing at Mighty Writers West (3861 Lancaster Ave.).

Leave the kiddies at home for this one.

Tomorrow, Philadelphia Eagle Connor Barwin will be indulging in food, drink and fun at an adults-only play date benefiting the Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse, in East Fairmount Park.

The eighth annual cocktail party is from 6 to 8 p.m. at the nonprofit's historic 16,000-square-foot playhouse and 6-acre playground. It's all part of the festivities celebrating the third annual LOVE Your Park Week, taking place at neighborhood parks throughout the city.

The Birds' linebacker will be given the 2015 Ida Newman Magic of Play Award, which honors those who demonstrate a commitment to children in Philadelphia. Barwin is founder of the Make the World Better Foundation (MWBF - an acronym for his parents' names - Margret Thomas and William Barwin), which provides safe, clean playgrounds for young people and their families.

Speaking of the Eagles, my spies seated ringside at ESPN2's Friday Night Fights tell me that newbie quarterback Tim Tebow was among the spectators for the boxing matches at the 2300 Arena (2300 S. Swanson St.) in South Philly this past weekend.

Tebow had been trying to watch incognito, but was sitting directly behind famed sports announcer Teddy Atlas.

It didn't take fans long to recognize Tebow, who was trying to keep a low profile underneath his baseball cap pulled down low.

At one point, Tebow was even introduced by Atlas, but when the crowd of several thousand people started chanting, "Te-Bow, Te-Bow!" he sat motionless, sources say, and didn't acknowledge the acknowledgment.