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Treach Details How He & Tupac Were Ending The East/West Feud

Treach and his group Naughty By Nature were a linchpin of 1990s Hip-Hop. The Grammy Award-winning East Orange, New Jersey trio had ties with a cross-section of the Rap scene, including Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls. These connections especially mattered by the mid-1990s, when Tupac and Biggie had entered a... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Names His Top 3 Posse Cuts

Thirty-five years ago, Marley Marl released "The Symphony." In 1988, the Cold Chillin' Records single became a juggernaut for the Juice Crew's expansion. It included Marley on production, with ear-grabbing verses from Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Craig G, and Masta Ace. At a time when Roxanne Shanté, Biz... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Turned Down A $1 Million Death Row Deal

In the mid-1990s, Big Daddy Kane was a free agent. After nearly a decade releasing music through Cold Chillin' Records and its Warner Bros. distributor, the Brooklyn, New York lyricist was a talent for hire. In 1994, he had released a sole MCA Records LP, Daddy's Home, featuring involvement with... Read more

Warren G Details His Many Contributions To The Chronic

In late 1992, Dr. Dre released his solo debut The Chronic. The album launched Death Row Records, and the careers of Snoop Dogg, Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg, RBX, and others. It also marked the first full-length release from Dre and Suge Knight's Death Row Records imprint. In videos such... Read more

Why 1996 Had The Perfect Storm To Split Hip-Hop In Two

On the most recent episode of Drink Champs, co-host N.O.R.E. told guests Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle about the moment he felt Hip-Hop became divided. The co-founder of Capone-N-Noreaga opined to Black Star that he feels The Roots' 1996 "What They Do" music video was a dividing line... Read more

Mos Def Explains How He Knew Kanye West Would Be Great

Yesterday (September 9), Drink Champs aired the audio version its long-awaited episode featuring Black Star and Dave Chappelle. One of the limited press spots that Talib Kweli and Yasiin Bey have done surrounding their May album, the Madlib-produced No Fear Of Time featured talk about the LP, but it is... Read more

N.O.R.E. Discusses The Music Video That Divided Hip-Hop

Today (September 9), Drink Champs released its long-awaited interview with Black Star and Dave Chappelle. Recorded at Dave Chappelle's Yellow Springs, Ohio garage space, the interview covers the release of Black Star's 2022 album No Fear Of Time, and more. In the last 15 minutes, N.O.R.E. brings up a November... Read more

Irv Gotti Describes The Night Nas Stood Up JAY-Z

Irv Gotti has been a close associate of JAY-Z for decades. As a DJ, producer, and record executive, the New Yorker worked with Jay during his ascent to stardom. In 1995, DJ Irv produced "Time To Build" for his artist Mic Geronimo. The song from The Natural featured JAY-Z, DMX, and Ja Rule.... Read more

Daz Plays Part Of A Song That Featured Tupac & Nas

Daz Dillinger has corrected Snoop Dogg's recent account of the removed Nas verse from a Tupac track. On the newest episode of Drink Champs, Snoop Dogg said that Method Man and Kurupt were on a song together, referring to Tupac Shakur's “Got My Mind Made Up.” The diamond-certified All Eyez On Me song... Read more

Snoop Reveals Nas Was Cut From All Eyez On Me

UPDATE: Snoop Dogg's cousin and frequent collaborator, Daz Dillinger, has stepped in to correct Snoop's account. The producer of "Got My Mind Made Up" says it is another song entirely that originally featured Nas, and also included Tupac upon release. ORIGINAL APRIL 17 STORY: Twenty years ago, Tupac Shakur reached... Read more

Drake Dissed Kanye West Throughout Their Concert

“Drake don’t do a diss song where it’s an outright head-shot; he’s gonna set it up like war." - Kanye West Just weeks ago, Kanye West sat on Drink Champs and went into deep detail about his issues with Drake. The two-part interview was arguably the most significant conversation in... Read more

Kanye West Details The Secret Warfare Drake Has Waged On Him

Since releasing Donda this August, Kanye West has not done a sit-down interview. That changes with this morning's (November 5) episode of Drink Champs. Ye (as he is now formally known) sat down with N.O.R.E and DJ EFN for several hours. Throughout the chat, Kanye discusses various aspects of his... Read more

J. Cole’s Off-Season Has Several Cryptic References To Illmatic

Last Friday (May 14), J. Cole released his sixth album, The Off-Season. Three years removed from his acclaimed KOD, Cole returned with more social commentary, versatile deliveries, and plenty of themes to unpack. Whereas his 2018 outing was an indictment on drug use amid the youth, especially within the Rap community, Cole's... Read more

LOUD Records’ Founder Details Getting Arrested For Bringing The Ruckus For Raekwon

Steve Rifkind, the founder of LOUD Records, is known for creating the record company that introduced much of the world to Wu-Tang Clan, Xzibit, Tha Alkaholiks, Funkmaster Flex, and dead prez, among others. The Long Island, New York native is the son of Spring Records executive (Jimmy Spicer, James Brown,... Read more

Lil Wayne Says He Refused To Get Bodied By Eminem On Their Collaborations (Video)

In the late 1990s, Eminem and Lil Wayne burst onto the Rap around the same time. Both MCs' careers date back earlier into the decade. However, the same 1999 Marshall Mathers released The Slim Shady LP, The Hot Boys' Weezy dropped breakout solo, Tha Block Is Hot. Each artist had... Read more

Memphis Bleek Recalls A Wild Story About JAY-Z’s Early Stash Of Cash (Video)

Under the watchful eye of JAY-Z, Dame Dash, and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, Roc-A-Fella Records first opened its doors in the mid-1990s. At the onset, Jay was the star of his own label. However, as the label expanded, Memphis Bleek—a Marcy Projects neighbor would be among the early additions to the... Read more

Nas Explains How Prince Rejected & Schooled Him At The Same Time (Video)

Nas is one of Prince's biggest fans. The Queens, New York MC has made his admiration of the late icon public for years, referencing him in lyrics, interviews and his social media. The two even appeared on President Barack Obama's 2016 summer playlist, a fitting place for two artists who... Read more

Method Man & N.O.R.E. Knock Out Bars Like Drink Champs In Their New Video

Method Man continues to go all in for his 2018 Meth Lab 2: The Lithium compilation campaign. The same week that Wu-Tang Clan gears up for its Of Mics & Men documentary to air on Showtime, Mr. Mef' (who co-produced the Sacha Jenkins-directed work) twists the cap off of his... Read more

De La Soul Recall The Origins Of The Native Tongues & The MC Who Started It (Video)

Earlier this month, De La Soul's episode of Drink Champs featured an extensive and newsworthy preview. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN released the part of the discussion where Posdnuos, Dave, and Maseo addressed their ongoing, and sometimes public negotiations with Tommy Boy Music surrounding the digital revenue and rights to the... Read more

Xzibit Details How Dr. Dre Operated On His Career & Brought It To Life (Video)

Twenty years ago, Xzibit's career buckled up for a skyrocketing trajectory. Since the mid-'90s, the prodigy of King T had released two albums, worked closely with E-Swift and Tha Alkaholiks, and recorded some incredible freestyles. A California transplant, Mr. X-To-The-Z was a true school MC with major distribution. He was... Read more

Kxng Crooked Is Brutally Honest About The Breakup Of Slaughterhouse (Video)

Today (March 15), Drink Champs released its episode with Xzibit. Notably, another Southern California-based lyricist also guested on the show. Kxng Crooked (aka Crooked I) joined N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's round-table alongside Mr. X-To-The-Z. In a two-hour discussion, the show played host to some of Crook's most revealing thoughts surrounding... Read more

De La Soul Are Fighting To Own The Music They Created (Video)

In the last two weeks, the three members of De La Soul have been at the center of a discussion surrounding ownership of catalog and the fairness of record label contracts. That discourse stems from the trio of Dave, Maseo, and Posdnuos notifying fans on social media that they are... Read more

Talib Kweli & dead prez Give The Best Explanation Yet Of What’s Happened To Kanye (Video)

For more than two years, Kanye West's career and public image have become a point of discourse in the mainstream, especially for the Hip-Hop and Black communities. Months after the release of 2016's The Life Of Pablo, a turn of events transpired. West's wife, Kim Kardashian was robbed at gunpoint... Read more

T.I. Outlines What He Sees As The Positive Aspects Of The Crack Era (Video)

Although the crack epidemic is one of the most tragic times for addiction, poverty, and crime, it has an odd relationship with Rap music. Iconic songs and albums have used the free base form of cocaine as thematic inspiration. This ranges from Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five's "White Lines... Read more

Swizz Beatz Reveals The Hidden Secrets He Learned At Harvard (Video)

Less than one week ago, Swizz Beatz released his first album in more than a decade. The arrival of POISON has the hit-maker for DMX, JAY-Z, Beyoncé, T.I., and Styles P promoting the Epic Records LP. However, few interviews in Swizzy's 20-plus-year career are as engaging as his second sit-down... Read more

Swizz Beatz Explains Why The JAY-Z, Nas & DMX Collabo Has Not Come Out (Video)

Yesterday, Swizz Beatz released his POISON album. For the Bronx, New York representative, it is his third retail release over the last 16 years. Rather than bring attention to his catalog, the Grammy Award-winning producer, rapper, DJ, and musician has spotlit so many moments for his peers in Rap, R&B,... Read more

N.O.R.E. Is Already A Drink Champ. He & Fat Joe Go For Dodge Ball Next (Video)

For more than 20 years, N.O.R.E. has been a beacon for New York Hip-Hop. The Lefrak City-born, Queensbridge representative is one half of respected duo in Capone-N-Noreaga who shaped a style in the streets since the late '90s. However, in modern years, the rapper once known by Noreaga is a... Read more

Big Daddy Kane Details The Rich History Of How The Juice Crew Started (Video)

Big Daddy Kane is the latest guest on Drink Champs. The Brooklyn, New York lyrical legend is in a casual mood, often joking during the three-hour episode. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview the Juice Crew MC about a number of highlights from his life and career. There are probing questions... Read more

Wu-Tang Clan Was Originally RZA, GZA & ODB But Protect Ya Neck Changed Everything (Video)

In one of the most epic installments yet of the Drink Champs podcast, Wu-Tang Clan joined N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN for a conversation that lasted 3 hours and change. While the Clan was not at full strength, Method Man, Raekwon, U-God, Cappadonna, Masta Killa and DJ Mathematics represented well for... Read more

Irv Gotti Explains Why Nas & Murder Inc.’s Brief Union Was A Huge Mistake (Video)

Irv Gotti is the latest guest on Drink Champs, and the beverages flowed in a big way. The Queens, New Yorker began as a DJ, became one of Hip-Hop's biggest A&Rs (at Def Jam) along with a producer charging $250,000 per beat. However, Gotti is best known for founding Murder... Read more

EPMD Are Working On An Album Only Featuring Classic Hip-Hop Duos (Video)

It has been almost nine years since legendary duo EPMD released an album. Late 2008's We Mean Business marked the seventh group effort for Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith. The EP/RBC Records release was a departure from the six consecutive gold albums the Long Islanders released dating back to 1988's... Read more

N.O.R.E. & Pharrell Reunite For One More And It’s Another Hit (Video)

Since 1998, N.O.R.E and Pharrell have been making great music together. In fact, though Pharrell and his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo had been around the industry for several years, contributing to tracks produced by Teddy Riley and others, N.O.R.E. was one of the first acts to give Chad and Pharrell... Read more

Bun B Drops Jewels On How An Artist’s First 3 Albums Should Progress (Video)

UGK released three albums in the 1990s. There was great progression between 1992's Too Hard To Swallow, 1994's Super Tight, and 1996's gold-certified Ridin' Dirty. Bun B and Pimp C entered as Port Arthur, Texas' take on Gangsta Rap, and evolved to pioneers of their own sub-genre of Slab Music.... Read more

DOOM Is Opening His Missing Notebook Of Rhymes & Releasing 15 New Songs (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the Last 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

LL Cool J Tells The Full Story Of When He Knocked Out Jamie Foxx (Video)

Over the last couple of years, Drink Champs, hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, has become one of the most popular podcasts, and with good reason. The show, fueled by the hosts' familiarity and respect for their guests, along with a healthy amount of alcohol, often leads to some of... Read more

ONYX May Have Never Slammed If They Weren’t Stuck In Traffic With Jam Master Jay (Video)

Run-D.M.C.'s Jam Master Jay was instrumental in the development of fellow Queens, New York Hip-Hop group ONYX. Later on, Jay would ink Jayo Felony and 50 Cent, but no artist experienced more success on JMJ Records than Fredro Starr, Sticky Fingaz and company. Jay signed ONYX and secured the Def... Read more

Swizz Beatz Details Why DMX’s Next Album Will “Change The Game” (Video)

DMX has been on the minds of Hip-Hop fans for many reasons in recent days. The legendary rapper is expected to release a new album later this year, an eagerly awaited follow-up to 2012's Undisputed. With five platinum (or better) albums under his belt, the Yonkers, New York icon has left... Read more

Pete Rock & DJ Premier Compare Stories On Producing Jay Z, Nas & Biggie (Video)

DJ Premier and Pete Rock are reportedly working on a joint album. The two producers have shared credits, each producing classic singles for Nas' Illmatic. They've also positioned tracks alongside one another on LPs by Heavy D & The Boyz, Rakim, and Non-Phixion, among others. Even when they compete, the... Read more

Ice Cube Wants To Make One Last Friday & Bring Back Chris Tucker (Video)

Ice Cube is the most recent guest on N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's Drink Champs. The same weekend Cube's Fist Fight opened in theaters, his "Pushin' Weight (Remix)" collaborator asked him about one of his most famous films, Friday. While the 1995 F. Gary Gray-directed film (written by Ice Cube and... Read more

Puffy Daddy Details How He Helped Biggie Walk The Line Between Hardcore & Mainstream

During his life, The Notorious B.I.G.'s three Top 10 solo singles were all produced by Puff Daddy. The founder and CEO of Bad Boy Records worked with his "Hitmen" on each of "Big Poppa," "One More Chance (Remix)" and 1997's "Hypnotize." Those three records, as well as 1994's "Juicy" (which peaked... Read more

Q-Tip Recalls Playing The “One Love” Beat For Nas The First Time They Met

Q-Tip, Jarobi White, Busta Rhymes, and Consequence appear on this week's episode of Drink Champs. N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview A Tribe Called Quest members and affiliates about a litany of subjects. Q-Tip, who speaks at length about producing "Bonita Applebum," as well as A.T.C.Q's 2016 material, spoke about his... Read more

Naughty By Nature Explain How Signing With Sugar Hill Almost Made Them Go New Jack City

Naughty By Nature celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2016. The New Jersey trio released new music, including a reunion with Queen Latifah, and toured multiple times. In truth, the group has been together, and recording professionally much longer than 25 years. In 1989, as The New Style, Treach, Vin Rock,... Read more

N.O.R.E. & Havoc Have An Intense Conversation About The C-N-N/Mobb Deep Beef (Video)

More than 20 years ago, Capone-N-Noreaga made their breakthrough care of 25 To Life's "L.A., L.A." The Marley Marl-produced single featured Tragedy Khadafi and Mobb Deep. The remixed song, eventually packaged on 1997's The War Report debut from C-N-N, was a reply to Tha Dogg Pound and Snoop Dogg's 1995 single,... Read more

DJ Clue Reveals How He May Have Chosen Biggie’s 2 Most Successful Singles (Audio)

DJ Clue was a pivotal figure in bringing Hip-Hop mixtapes from street culture to the charts. The Queens, New York native began in the mid-1990s, and helped pioneer the idea of exclusives. Records by Wu-Tang Clan, Jay Z, and The Notorious B.I.G. would appear on the mixmaster's unauthorized cassettes and... Read more

Akinyele Suggests An Unkept Promise Planted The Seeds For The Nas & JAY-Z Beef

Queens, New York veteran MC Akinyele has not released an album of new material in more than 15 years. However, the raspy-voice rapper remains very much tied to the Hip-Hop culture he came up through. DJ Khaled and Drake's current hit "For Free" is an homage to a 1997 single... Read more

DMX Says He Won Every Battle With Jay Z. Who Won The War? (Video)

In 1999, Jay Z and DMX embarked (and majorly cashed in) on the Hard Knock Life Tour. Although Jay Z's album gave the tour its name, the lineup was a joint headliner of the Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder and DMX. Both artists had become the flagship acts at Def Jam Records... Read more

Havoc Reveals That Prince Played Keys On A Mobb Deep Track (Video)

Throughout the last 25 years, Queens, New York duo Mobb Deep has worked with the likes of Mariah Carey, Nas, and 50 Cent. However, it is now learned that Prodigy and Havoc collaborated with late Pop icon Prince. Speaking with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN's "Drink Champs" Podcast (Episode #17), Havoc... Read more

Talib Kweli Recalls How Blown Away He Was By An Unsigned Kanye West’s Talent (Video)

Talib Kweli and Kanye West have made several notable collaborations. That artistry began 14 years ago, with the release of the Brooklyn, New York MC's first solo album, Quality. Following acclaimed full-length projects with Black Star and Reflection Eternal, the Rawkus Records flagship artist embarked on his first release through... Read more

KRS-One Explains Why Drake Is “Underrated” & Says Some The Best MCs Have Writers (Audio)

KRS-One is the latest guest on N.O.R.E. & DJ EFN's Drink Champs Podcast. There, the iconic Boogie Down Productions MC sipped hand-crafted mai tai's and discussed a litany of topics, at incredible length. Known for lecturing at some of the most prestigious universities around the globe, publishing books, and educating... Read more