N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN have had an incredible string of guests on their Drink Champs podcast over the past few weeks. Wiz Khalifa, Jadakiss, and Robin Thicke have all dropped by the studio to enjoy some drinks and answer burning questions, though none of them come close to topping today’s star – Rick Ross. This isn’t the Mississippi-born artist’s first appearance on the REVOLT series, but they have certainly stepped their game up since his last visit three years ago. Since then, Rozay has also stepped his game up, which he made sure to talk about in his latest interview.
Spanning over two-and-a-half hours, the Richer Than I Ever Been artist touched on a variety of hot topics during his second Drink Champs stint. Among them were his business ventures with companies like Wingstop (where he recently encouraged Don Lemon to apply), as well as his past beef, childhood inspiration, and upcoming car show. Speaking of the latter, Ross made it clear that he’s not looking at DJ Envy’s quickly approaching event of a similar nature as competition. Rather, he supports The Breakfast Club‘s endeavour to raise money for the family left behind by the late Young Dolph.
“Envy was never on my level to battle,” the 47-year-old playfully teased when comparing their two events. “I wouldn’t do that to Envy. I like Envy and I f**k with Envy, but in the car game he not ready for that, but I support that shit,” Ross clarified. The New Yorker’s car show is scheduled to take place the weekend before the Biggest Boss’, which will also include a performance from him and Lil Wayne.
The father of four is obviously excited about his big day, but some of his neighbours have made it abundantly clear they’re not on the same page. A few weeks back, a group put forth a motion in hopes of shutting the multihyphenate down. As iHeart notes, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners heard the concerned citizens out but has not made moves to cancel the car show at this time. Check out Rick Ross’ full Drink Champs appearance above, and let us know who you want Noreaga and DJ EFN to interview next in the comments.
N.O.R.E. recently reflected on the most “surreal” interviews he’s conducted on his podcast, Drink Champs, pointing out Nas in particular. The rapper spoke with HipHopDX backstage at Lovers & Friends festival in Las Vegas, last weekend. Nas appeared on Drink Champs back in 2019, after the release of The Lost Tapes 2.
“That’s my brother and I never really wanted to interview him at all because he’s my brother, but the fact that he did sit down… it’s very weird to ask people questions that you don’t wanna ask them. I’m not the police, and they know I’m not the police. But at the end of the day, I wanna have fun and I wanna make them surreal,” he said.
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 19: N.O.R.E. (L) and Nas film an episode of Drink Champs during Nas’ “The Lost Tapes 2” release party on July 19, 2019, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
N.O.R.E. went on to explain that regardless of how much larger than life a celebrity may be, he wants to humanize them with Drink Champs. He continued: “At the end of the day, all Hip Hop stars is superheroes, but the thing is what makes Drink Champs, Drink Champs is I don’t make ’em superheroes; I make them Clark Kents.”
When Nas appeared on Drink Champs, he discussed many topics, including a time he tried to get a collaboration with Prince, working with Kanye West, and more. While the two spoke, N.O.R.E. took a moment to reflect on the monumental occasion. “I arrived here being with my people and I never had dreams of doing business with Warren Buffett or Steve Jobs or things like that. My thing was I wanna do business with Puff Daddy, I wanna do business with Nas, I wanna do business with Hov. Because that’s who I look up to and that’s who I can see myself becoming,” N.O.R.E. said at the time. Fans can catch Nas on the second leg of the N.Y. State of Mind Tour, alongside Wu-Tang Clan and De La Soul.
Drink Champs usually makes headlines for their hip-hop conversations, but the program’s most recent guest is one of the biggest blue-eyed soul stars of the last 20 years. Moreover, Robin Thicke recently graced the Drink Champs studio, speaking on his many industry connections, wild stories, and long-lasting career. While many might know him best nowadays for “Blurred Lines,” his laundry list of experience is much more extensive than that hit might suggest. In fact, during his conversation with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN, he recalled signing to one of his collaborators on the track, Pharrell. However, one of his more illuminating comments came when discussing his many Lil Wayne collabs, where he spoke on his relationship to hip-hop.
Well, that was more based off of association, as we saw the “Masked Singer” judge talk about that experience through the lens of his Weezy collabs. Specifically, N.O.R.E. asked him how his hip-hop link-ups always felt natural, and how they even came about. “We were genuine fans of each other before we blew,” Robin Thicke recalled. “Like, when I heard ‘Go DJ’- I mean, you know, he was already blowing up. But when I heard ‘Go DJ,’ I was like, ‘This is the next biggest artist, period.
Robin Thicke On Drink Champs
“I told Andre Harrell, and he was like, ‘You think so?’” he continued. “I was like, ‘Trust me, Dre, this is the one.’ So, coincidentally, he just reached out to me. The first song on my debut album A Beautiful World– which it’s the 20th anniversary of- he heard this song called ‘Oh Shooter’ on my debut album. He just hit me up out of nowhere and was like ‘Yo, I love this record. Can you send me the tracks? Do you mind if I do something with it?’” That Tunechi remix landed on Tha Carter II.
“The first time that Lil Wayne ever did The Tonight Show– and the first time I ever did The Tonight Show– we did it together,” he added. “The first time either one of us performed at the Grammys, we performed together. So him and I have a real history together.” Despite his controversies, it’s clear that the appreciation for hip-hop goes both ways. Elsewhere in the interview, he talks about signing with Pharrell, his family’s industry experience, and much more. Check out the full Drink Champs episode above and return to HNHH for the latest on Robin Thicke.
Podcasting has existed since the early 2000s but is now bigger than ever. Hip hop podcasts have rapidly grown in popularity as many rappers and musicians have transitioned into broadcasting. Some were ahead of the curve, diving into podcasting before it became more lucrative, while others started fairly recently.
This is a list of the top 11 best hip hop podcasts. The shows, listed in no particular order, focus primarily on hip hop or are centered around music. Many explore other topics, but what makes them hip hop podcasts is that they are centered around music. There are a variety of different styles of podcasts on this list: talk, commentary, history, and interview-based podcasts. Take a look at the list below.
Perhaps the most popular hip hop podcast, Joe Budden has arguably been more successful as a podcaster than a rapper. His broadcasting history goes far back into the 2000s, landing a regular radio gig at Hot 97 in New York. Budden started his podcast, originally called I’ll Name This Podcast Later, in 2015. The podcast has rebranded a few times, changing names and co-hosts. It is a talk show that is centered around hip hop music and culture, but also discusses pop culture, sports, politics, relationships, and an array of other topics. The show is not guest-based but will have the occasional guest interview or phone call.
The prime era of The Joe Budden Podcast saw Budden making podcast history alongside Rory and Mal, landing a historic deal with Spotify in 2018. The relationship between Joe Budden, Rory, and Mal soured over time in a highly-publicized breakup, leading to The JBP rebranding again. Joe currently hosts his podcast alongside Parks, Ice, Ish, QueenzFlip, and Melyssa Ford.
New Rory & Mal
Following their departure from The Joe Budden Podcast, Rory and Mal quickly pivoted into their own independent venture. The New Rory & Mal podcast debuted in 2021 following their response video to Joe Budden. The podcast is a talk show centered around music, pop culture, and current events. Though not a guest-based podcast, they have interviewed musicians, comedians, and other public figures. They have also occasionally created short skits to go along with their content. Last year, New Rory & Mal toured North America, as well as a sold-out show in London.
Drink Champs
Drink Champs is one of the earliest and most prolific guest-based podcasts. Hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN interview their guests, drinking and taking shots throughout the lengthy show to loosen them up. Their guests are often high-profile figures within hip hop culture, including Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. The show often consists of funny banter and legendary stories from the guest’s past. Since the show began in 2016, Drink Champs has had its fair share of viral and controversial moments, such as their unhinged Kanye West interview.
People’s Party With Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli is among many rappers who have stepped into the podcast space. Unlike his contemporaries who have focused on talk shows, he has developed his skills as a journalist to create one of hip hop’s most fascinating interview shows. Alongside co-host Jasmine Leigh, Talib Kweli interviews actors, activists, comedians, and rappers, many of whom are his contemporaries. He often interviews people he has a relationship with, which allows the chemistry between him and his guest to shine. Kweli provides wisdom in his stories and experiences, while Leigh shines through her personable interview skills.
Rap Radar
The Rap Radar podcast is a masterclass in hip hop journalism. Elliott Wilson and Brian “B.Dot” Miller manage to provide thought-provoking questions no matter who they interview. Most of their interviews happen during press runs, usually in the promotion of a new album. Wilson and Miller tend to combine questions about the artist’s new work along with a look at the general scope of their career. Rap Radar usually consists of questions about the artist’s work and some friendly jokes between the hosts and the guests. Some of their most well-known interviews include JAY-Z, Drake, and Will Smith.
Juan Ep Is Life
Peter Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds were way ahead of today’s influx of hip hop podcasts when they started Juan Epstein in 2007. The two used to work together at Hot 97, and Juan Epstein was their way to nerd out about hip hop authentically, separate from their work in the music industry. Rosenberg and Cipha Sounds conducted many interviews, including Kanye West, JAY-Z, and Eminem. The podcast continued to grow and survived through many eras, proving that podcasting in hip hop was the future. The podcast took a brief hiatus in 2018, restarted in 2019, and rebranded as Juan Ep Is Life in 2020.
Questlove Supreme
Questlove of The Roots is known for his depth of knowledge in music, which makes Questlove Supreme so compelling. Alongside a multitude of co-hosts, including Phonte, Questlove expresses his love and knowledge of music as he conducts genuine interviews. The guests often have stories to tell, and Questlove often appears just as fascinated as the listener. The Questlove Supreme podcast is a crash course in the music lineage, often including hip hop. Some guests include Jill Scott and Solange.
The Combat Jack Show
Combat Jack was a seasoned hip hop journalist, attorney, executive, and broadcaster. These skills resonated in The Combat Jack Show, which launched in 2010. He was well-educated and tried his hand in many different career fields, enhancing his podcaster skills. He often provided his thoughts and opinions, and featured plenty of interviews, including J. Cole and Black Thought. Before Jack’s passing in 2017, The Combat Jack Show was highly influential for hip hop podcasts. Joe Budden had once cited Combat Jack as one of his inspirations for getting into podcasting.
Brother Ali is one of the latest rappers to tap into podcasting, starting The Travelers Podcast in 2021. Much like his rap voice, Ali’s podcasting voice is soothing. The conversation-based interviews that he conducts do not need to be overproduced. Ali provides wisdom as a seasoned veteran in hip hop, as well as a religious and politicized person. He has interviewed many rappers, some of whom include his labelmates, along with politicians, activists, and authors.
The Blog Era
The Blog Era is a brand new podcast that takes a deep dive into the history of hip hop’s “blog era” of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, writers and sketch comedians, among other things, look into the impact of the blog era on hip hop and the stories behind it. They explore the importance of specific blogs and rappers that sparked a renaissance in hip hop in the early days of the internet. The first season of the podcast began last month.
The Midnight Miracle
Talib Kweli had already proven his ability as a podcaster with People’s Party, but he expanded his repertoire with The Midnight Miracle. Kweli, alongside Dave Chappelle and his Black Star group member Yasiin Bey, explores a variety of concrete and abstract topics that make for a unique listening experience. The commentary podcast is produced in a way that weaves in conversations, audio excerpts they reference, and a wide range of guests contributing to each episode. The Midnight Miracle can be found on Luminary, the same platform on which Kweli and Bey released their long-awaited second album as Black Star.
Cam’ron hit Instagram last week and shared an older podcast clip from The Joe Budden podcast. Cam seemed to take offense to the show’s guest, N.O.R.E., calling out rappers making sports shows and other media content. As of late, Cam and Ma$e have found a new level of popularity for their sports show.
N.O.R.E. tossed in his own message about the matter, wondering why the Dipset leader went to the Internet.
“Me and you are friends from the 90s. You have my real-life phone number You hung out with me for days before you did Drink Champs just to make sure I was the same yalla that you know. If you thought at any time I was going at you, Why would you go to the internet 1st?”
Me and you are friends from the 90s. You have my real life phone number. You hung out with me for days before you did Drink Champs just to make sure I was the same yalla that you know.
If you thought at any time I was going at you, Why would you go to the internet 1st? pic.twitter.com/1p0ROexTK4
N.O.R.E. accidentally reignited the beef between Cam’ron and Joe Budden.
Cam’ron hit Instagram last week and shared an older podcast clip from The Joe Budden podcast. Cam seemed to take offense to the show’s guest, N.O.R.E., calling out rappers making sports shows and other media content. As of late, Cam and Ma$e have found a new level of popularity for their sports show.
Now N.O.R.E. has tossed in his own message about the matter, wondering why the Dipset leader went to the Internet.
“Me and you are friends from the 90s. You have my real-life phone number You hung out with me for days before you did Drink Champs just to make sure I was the same yalla that you know. If you thought at any time I was going at you, Why would you go to the internet 1st?”
Me and you are friends from the 90s. You have my real life phone number. You hung out with me for days before you did Drink Champs just to make sure I was the same yalla that you know.
If you thought at any time I was going at you, Why would you go to the internet 1st? pic.twitter.com/1p0ROexTK4
Last week as he shared the clip online, Cam had a message for N.O.R.E. and the JBP host who he referred to as “Hoe Buddons.”
“Damn @therealnoreaga told you I couldn’t trust you. Lolol. Im just fucking wit ya. But what other rapper from the 90’s got the sports and cooking show? U know u my nigga for life. But ya man hoe buddons threw u under the bus on the very Nx episode said he didn’t know who u was talking bout. I don’t give a fuck how his numbers is N.O. Stay away from that crack head!!!!”
“Now that nigga know he too sensitive to do this w me. Chill before I feel like playin’ back & you start makin’ calls again. Focus on your suits and pink set, that ‘crackhead’ lapped you lonnggggggggggg ago.”
“Big L was that n***a,” Jadakiss began during the interview. “I don’t like that they gave him his flowers after he was dead. They should have gave them [his flowers] when he was here. but, I guess it was too much going on. Or, just how the world is.” The iconic New York rapper was shot and killed in Harlem back in 1999 at 24 years old. He released just one studio album during his lifetime, Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 03: Jadakiss of The Lox performs onstage during Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset at Madison Square Garden on August 03, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
“But, Big L was one of the first — Big L, when we were still trying to get a deal and we hadn’t met Puff yet — we were downtown on 139th getting some weed from Buzz Me In, the old spot that was there and he [Big L] was in front of the fried chicken spot,” Jadakiss explained. “SP got out and him and SP got into a battle — a furious one. We got cool with him after that — once we found out about Children of The Corn and all that. Big L was already famous. He was one of the first young dudes to make it. Once again shout out to Digging in the Crates for seeing the talent in him way back when he was a youngster.”
Jadakiss was joined by his father and his son for the episode of Drink Champs. The group discussed analog vs. digital music, controlling piracy in the digital era, owning masters, and more. Jadakiss recently announced that he’s working on two albums that he intends to release later this year. He talked about the upcoming efforts during an interview on Sway’s Universe, earlier this month. Check out his appearance on Drink Champs below.
Jadakiss was the latest guest on Drink Champs, and he also brought along his son and father for the conversation. In fact, The Lox member’s father expressed that he didn’t really know hip-hop culture before his son became one of the best rappers out of New York. Moreover, he discussed not wanting the Yonkers MC to sign a record deal and not really understanding the craft or worth of his work. However, eventually he clicked, and Jada’s father was very appreciative and proud in their dialogue. Overall, it was an entertaining episode that covered a lot of different aspects of his career.
For example, Jadakiss, his son, and his father discussed starting Kiss Cafe Coffee, a family-owned coffee company. N.O.R.E. remarked how incredible it is that hip-hop culture didn’t really have a coffee before, and also spoke on how it should go beyond the community and become big in the industry. What’s more is that Kiss has a lot more on the way that’s more in his traditional wheelhouse. Recently, he revealed that he has multiple upcoming projects this year, including two solo albums and an album with The Lox.
Jadakiss On Drink Champs
Also, one of the most iconic recent moments of Jadakiss’ career might see a second wind- or rather, a rematch. He recently reverted his original statements against a rematch with Dipset on Verzuz, and expressed that he’s down for another go. His incredible performance during their first showdown made for one of the most praised and talked-about moments in hip-hop that year. If anything, it just proves that his talent and skill goes much father beyond what people saw as his career peak. No matter his success, he continues to push himself, especially after he saw such recognition for the Verzuz performance.
In addition, the “We Gonna Make It” artist is an advocate for easing tensions in the genre. Along with former opponent Freeway, he urged the younger artists in the game to squash their beefs, standing by his now-close relationship with the Philly rapper. Especially with his father and son by his side, it’s heartening to see him get his flowers and keep developing his career. For more news and the latest updates on Jadakiss, log back into HNHH.
When Wiz Khalifa first burst onto the scene, most fans knew that he was mostly into Converse Chuck Taylors. Overall, his Taylor Gang label even had logos similar to the iconic shoe. However, over time, Khalifa has broadened his horizons when it comes to the sneakers that he wears. For instance, he can be seen wearing Air Jordans a lot of the time. These are a great choice as they are timeless and also have a great history within sneaker culture. Although, it took the help of a friend to get him into the brand.
Recently, Wiz Khalifa sat down with Drink Champs where he got to speak about a plethora of topics. Khalifa is always a joy to hear from as he is one of the nicest guys in the industry. Additionally, he always tries to show love whenever he can. Knowing that, it should not be a surprise that he credited Curren$y for his love of Air Jordans. As Wiz explains, he never bought Jordans before because they were too expensive growing up. However, once he met Curren$y, he became a disciple of the brand.
Wiz Khalifa Inspired By Curren$y
“I never even owned a pair of Jordans until I met Curren$y,” Wiz Khalifa explained. “I wanted some but I just never had them. Chuck’s. In Pittsburgh, it’s Air Forces, Timbs. N-ggas wore Js but like I had to choose if I was gonna spend that much money on sneakers or other things. Growing up, I never even thought about that like spending $130, $150 bucks on a pair of shoes.” Of course, Curren$y and Wiz work a lot together. That said, it only makes sense that Wiz would peep his style and be interested.
Additionally, Wiz Khalifa spoke about some of the clothes he would buy when he was young, on top of Chucks. “I would go to Army Navy and get some Dickies, get some white tees and Chucks — Carharrt like a muthafucka. That’s my whole style. Timbs cost a lot but you get like one pair of them a year,” he explained. Needless to say, Jumpman should be thanking Curren$y for influencing his peers in this way.
U know u my nigga for life. But ya man hoe buddons threw u under the bus on the very Nx episode 
said he didn’t know who u was talking bout. I don’t give a fuck how his numbers is N.O. Stay away from that crack head!!!!”