By Jason Collins
N.O.R.E and DJ EFN’s Drink Champs gets all kinds of saucy, and I’m not just talking about the alcohol. The shocking, interesting, hilarious, and sometimes scary tales we hear from some of our favorite artists in the game remind us that hip-hop still has stories to tell. So many in fact, that Drink Champs has surpassed the 250th episode mark. Well done, Champs.
We all love a good hip-hop story, but some are so tantalizing, you could listen to them on repeat. Here are my top five Drink Champs stories.
#1 Hitmaka (Yung Berg) – Episode 236
It’s no secret that Hitmaka and Ray J don’t have the smoothest history. Their relationship became strained after their 2008 hit “Sexy Can I” was released.
While on tour, Hitmaka said he accidentally went into the wrong hotel room one night after his performance. Apparently, she was undressing at the time and he caught a glimpse. She yelled at him to get out. But don’t take my word for it, let him tell you.
#2 Lil’ Wayne’s Lil’ Confession – Episode 196
Now, this was from Lil’ Wayne’s debut on Drink Champs. Among his stories of Andre 3000 inspiring him to his relationship with JAY-Z, Lil’ Wayne reminded us that he meant it when he said he only listens to himself.
He not only confessed to thinking Savage 21 was a rap group, but he also had no idea that Quality Control Music and Top Dawg Entertainment were music labels. You literally laugh out loud. He said it again: “I’m into me and me only man.” Take a look.
#3 Nas/DMX Prince Masters – Episode 169 & 248
Prince has a powerful presence that can even leave the biggest stars weak at the knees. Nas and DMX spoke about their encounters with Prince in their respective Drink Champs episodes. Both recall Prince’s powerful question about the ownership of their masters.
Nas explained how excited he was when Prince arrived at his “I Am” album launch party. He immediately asked if Prince wanted to do a song together. His response to Nas was a simple question – “Do you own your masters?” Nas didn’t, so Prince said, “When you own your masters, give me a ring.”
Nas had a few encounters with Prince and even got to jam with him on stage once. Here’s the full Drink Champ episode.
DMX recalls having an hour-long conversation with Prince at a club. Prince asked his security to pull up a table and cordon off space for them to talk. He asked DMX the same question as Nas – “Do you own your masters?” DMX said that question messed him up for a while because it was so deep. Watch the full episode. Respect to the king of hardcore rap.
#4 That Time LL Cool J Punched Lewis – Episode 213
This is episode 213 of Drink Champs, but episode 4 of Quarantine Champs. LL revealed how he accidentally punched boxing legend Lennox Lewis right in the nose while filming.
They were on the set of LL’s show, “In the House.” His character was boxing Lewis for charity. They were playing around when LL clipped Lewis. He doesn’t know how it happened but asked for a break and reset to get his composure back. Take a look at the full episode.
#5 DJ Khaled’s First Meeting with Beyonce – Episode 219
DJ Khaled was already established in the rap game by the time he met JAY-Z and Beyonce, but he still remembers acting like a shy schoolboy when he went to their house to listen to her track.
He said he was in the corner, feeling nervous and in complete awe of the queen herself. He wanted to run and say hello all at once. He was so happy and grateful to be there but was losing his mind in the presence of such legends. Watch the full episode.
These are my top five Drink Champs episodes that remind us that hip-hop still has stories to tell. Long live N.O.R.E and DJ EFN. May they continue to drink and candidly chat with some of the biggest hip-hop icons in the world, keeping the many stories alive while preserving hip-hop history.
Here’s to you Drink Champs. Kanpai!