Check the Rhymes: Beats, Bars & Brews

In this episode we discuss a topic often overlooked; why so many Hip Hop artists have died before their time, due to health issues. Some of the pitfalls and choices rappers make and why. As well as why the messaging in the music is so important, but often not the most marketed. Like a true foodie, Curt compares a Hip Hop artist's work to a complicated dish. Matt fills us in on why not all IPAs are created equal. Jus reminds us it's been 25 years since Nas "It Was Written" debuted, and 30 years since his first appearance on wax, as we celebrate the Anniversary of "Breaking Atoms" from The Main Source with an Anniversary beer from Tree House Brewing to commemorate the 1991 classic. We leave you with our thoughts on the recent Verzuz, the future of Verzuz battles and why we think it's time for the plarform to change. Get some!!

We're back! And we're excited for summer! Tune in and catch up with your favorite craft beer drinking, Hip Hop heads.

In this episode we dive in to what we've been listening to. We comment on a few topics that have been brought up by our outstanding social media community. Curt tells us why he is skeptical of this years festival season. Matt connects the "BDots" on the Jim Jones/Conway twitter exchange. We give our thoughts about the posthumous DMX record and his early run in hip hop. (RIP DMX the Great). Justin tells us why he'll let the bars slide during the summer. All while we sip on a great Interboro IPA in collaboration with one of the most outstanding rap projects of 2020; Alfredo. Curt compares Drakes abilities to a highly rated super hero trading card, and we all tell you who we would have wanted to see live, if they were still around today. Get some!

In this episode we sit down and chop it up with Sikai, a very talented MC, doing his thing out of Stanford, CT. We talk about real life, plans for after Hip Hop and why you should never stop looking for new music. Matt opens a hazy ipa from an incredible VA brewery and makes his comparison on which MC it reminds him of. The crew has a round table discussion of who they would want to collab on a record with, while sipping on a crowd pleasing PB milk stout from a great brewery in Maine. Lastly, Sikai hits us with a quick freestyle over a less-than-expected request. You can find more of Sikai's music at www.painkillingmusic.com This episode is filled with humor and wisdom. Check it out!

In this episode we talk about Chicago and it's influence on Hip Hop. We crack open some midwest beers featuring some of Chicago's most recognizable breweries. Our "what were you listening to" segment might be our most eclectic mix to date. Curt puts some "paint where it aint" on his picks for Chicago MCs. We roundtable discuss our favorite Chicago artists and even get off on a couple tangents about music and culture. Check it out!

In this episode we dive into a topic that is sure to raise a few eye brows - Why are female MCs consistently considered "Second Fiddle" to their male counterparts? We know where we stand. Where do you? With all that they have contributed to Hip Hop over the years, why are so few discussed among the greats or even placed in a top 10/15 list? We also talk about sour beer and Curt and Justin's epic quest to find the best Key Lime Pie Sour Ale. We figure out that Matt's ears like what they like and don't stray too far from that sound. Curt makes another great sports analogy on our main topic and we realize there might be a need for a part 2 with some female perspective joining us. Check it out!

We're back in 2021 with a brand new Episode; Hip Hop Soundtracks. We're joined by Rob Saunders, a good friend of The Check The Rhymes: Beats, Bars & Brews Facebook community and avid Hip Hop head. You can tell by his enthusiasm why we asked him to join us for this topic. Rob speaks on one of his favorite artists and sums up why you need to revisit his material. We rattle off and discuss 20+ dope Hip Hop Soundtracks. You gone learn today! We crack open a Blueberry Sour Ale that Jus brought in and discuss why all beer can artwork is not created equal. Check it out!

What a year...for Hip Hop that is! We saw projects from a lot of artists both old and new. From Nas to D-Smoke. A ten year in the making "debut" from Jay Electronica, multiple Griselda projects, some part 2's, part 4's, some sophomore jinx', and a MC who is clearly in his "Phryme". We had big names drop records (Em, Busta, Jada, Common, etc) as well as arguably the most exposure Black Thought has had in one single year. Spillage Village, Cambatta and The Stove God came to surprise us. Plus a few others you might have missed. Of course we needed a beer to match the season. Matt cracks open an imperial porter with coffee, vanilla and peppermint and explains why some beers can get better with age. Check it out!

[Part 1 of 2] In this episode we sit down with the legendary DJ Tony Tone aka Tony Crush from the Cold Crush Brothers. He and his partner, Rob (who we have on the phone from San Diego) have developed and created a series of beers that will honor and recognize the early legends of Hip Hop. Rob, of Hip Hops Beer Co, tells us why it's so important to honor these legends, how he plans to bring the two things together and what it can do for the culture and community. All Hip Hop elements represented, these beers will showcase some of the pioneers who introduced us to the artforms. Tony Crush shares stories about Park Jams, DJ Kool Herc, early DJ equipment and more! Be on the look out for Hip Hops Beer Company and the line up of dope beers they are releasing. First up, Cold Crush - Orange Hazy IPA. Stay tuned for part 2 of this interview! Check out HipHops.beer for more info on the project.

In this episode we are joined by two very dope emcees from the Connecticut rap scene. FNX and Big E. We discuss the state of Hip Hop, how they got in to being emcees, their influences, how they get in the creative zone & more! A lot of beer being cracked open, Matt let's us know what we're sipping (including a local version of "Black is Beautiful") Later in the podcast we're joined by a founding member and one of the top contributors of the Check The Rhymes: Beats, Bars & Brews Facebook group; Camar Graves. Before we go, we get Big E and FNX to spit some bars and let the listeners know where to find their music. Freestyle @74:06.

For more from FNX @theofficialfnx check out FNXmusic.com

"The Universal Frequency" is out now.

For more from Big E

@bige_lodb

https://m.soundcloud.com/bige_lodb/harsh-reality

Check it out!

In this episode we interviewed the one & only, “Lady Lager”, of Rhythm Brewing Co; Alisa Bowens-Mercado. She is the owner, founder & brewmaster of the New Haven based brewing company. She is making waves in the beer industry as the only female, black brewery owner in CT. Her energy and passion for beer, entertainment, community and music are unparalleled. She shares her journey into beer, as well as dropping a few “nuggets” of what is coming down the pipeline for Rhythm Brewing. Alisa speaks on her recent collaboration with fellow CT brewery; Two Roads. The two collab on their own version of the “Black Is Beautiful” beer. [created by Weathered Souls Brewing, out of San Antonio, TX, in support of Black Lives Matter and local communities in need]. We crack open some freshies of her incredible lagers and make comparisons to some of her favorite Hip Hop artists. She leaves us wanting more of her unfiltered lagers and motivating spirit! Check it out!