Cold Drinks & Conversations

Following on from last week's episode which included a conversation on whether Football has changed over the last decade or so for the better or worse, for episode 70, with the immediate rise and fall of the super league and what could have been, it is only right that this episode is a sport-focused one. Toren & Ray brings on Gids, the man behind the growing sports blog gusports_ & Stephen of Flash Squard to discuss the super league and whether it was as bad an idea as football fans and sports media made it out to be. Also, did anyone consider why Florentino Perez was a driving force behind the ESL? The amount of debt that many teams across Europe have come into as a result of bad transfer and signings, particularly both Barcelona and Real Madrid, has left many teams in dire need of more and greater streams of revenue. What do our listeners think is the worst transfer to have ever taken place in European football? Finally, the episode finishes off discussing the NBA and how Lebron changed the game when joining Miami Heat, constituting the big 3 that boasted himself, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade. Who is the no.1 contender that comes to mind when thinking about who is going to win a ring this year? 

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Toren and Ray sit down to discuss the easing of Lockdown restrictions that came into force this week, including the opening of indoor leisure and non-essential retail and how they've been making the most of it, with things looking hopeful and normality becoming more realistic. Toren then discusses the recent Champions League and Europa League results, as it's debated who are the most likely winners in the two competitions. This then leads to a conversation about football and how it has drastically changed over the past two decades. Millz and Crafts join in, as the four give their insights as to why the game has changed including the development of playing styles and formations, as well as football being as commercial as it has ever been. Do we currently have the best England squad since the 2006 world cup squad and do England have a realistic chance of winning the cup next year? Let us know your thoughts!

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For Episode 68, Ray, Sillah & Toren begin by reflecting on DMX and his legacy, rest in power to an icon and music legend. Reflecting on X's legacy leads to a conversation on the rap game and which coast has been running it since the turn of the century? The trio argues that the East Coast were dominant in the early 2000s specifically with the likes of Ja Rule, 50 Cent and Jay Z in their primes. In 2005 came the introduction of The Game and the Documentary album, with him 'bringing back the west coast" and at the time arguably carrying it on his back, at the same time that Kanye West was on the come up with the release of Late Registration and College Dropout the previous year. In the latter 2000's we saw the South start to take stride with the rise of both trap and crunk music, notable names include Jeezy, T.I and Soulja Boy. From 2010 we saw the emergence of a new era of east coast music with A$AP MOB and Pro Era setting trends and new styles, whilst over on the west coast TDE were also gaining popularity, as we argue that the game was more contested between the turn of the last decade up until around 2015/16. From thereon can it be argued that the south has taken back control with Atlanta arguably being at the forefront of the music game with the likes of the Migos, Future and Playboi Carti? Let us know your thoughts! In the second half of the episode, Ray poses the concept of 'Green Flags' as opposed to Red Flags when considering a partner, and asks Toren & Sillah what some of their green flags are? These include having a drive, a good relationship with family and being a patient individual. The usual Cold Drinks & Good Conversation!

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For Episode 67, Sillah, Toren & Ray are back for another round of Cold Drinks & Conversations as Sillah hosts an episode for the third time in a row. The lads begin the episode by discussing what they tend to eat for breakfast and what truly is the most important meal of the day? This then moves on to a reminiscent conversation about school dinners back in the day! Who remembers smiley faces? Custard and Cake? until Jamie Oliver came and ruined it all for us! Who has had more of a bigger influence on Black Youth and Music culture in the UK, Choice FM or Channel U? With both being significant in a lot of black millennials upbringings culturally and musically, the trio come to somewhat of a conclusion. Finally, a look back at legendary WWE moments and favourite WWE stars including Steve Austin and Jeff Hardy. Who is the most legendary WWE Superstar of all time? We'll leave that for the listeners to decide!

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For Episode 66, the Cold Drinks trio open the episode by discussing Lil Nas X recent 'Satan' Shoe collaboration with MSCFH coupled with his satanic themed music video 'Montero'. Was this move by Lil Nas X a publicity stunt, a cry for attention or ultimately a publicity stunt? As Sillah, Toren & Ray debate whether it is evident that the artist worships the devil or if the whole thing was an example of extreme trolling. Secondly, Sillah poses the question, do women lead with emotion? & if so does that impact their ability to be leaders, focusing on examples like Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May who both were deemed 'tough' and 'emotionless', when it comes to women being world leaders are they often over-scrutinised and painted to be villains or on the other hand deemed weak? Finally, are men of today losing their masculinity and becoming soft. As we take a look at the changes in the working-class man and what has contributed to these changes. Should things like construction and DIY be taught in schools or at least made an option or has technology men that masculinity has transformed over time? As it is true that the modern man will always change and develop with societal changes.

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For Episode 65, Sillah, Toren and Ray take a trip down memory lane as they go through moments they've fallen off and ways to sustain a wave throughout a motive. The conversation then moves onto taking a look at previous carnivals as the trio are hopeful for Summer 2021 discussing how likely it will be that Notting Hill Carnival will run this year, as well as plans for the summer including a bike ride to Southend.

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For Episode 64 Ray, Sillah & Toren invite Millz on for another interesting and thought-provoking conversation for the second week running. The episode begins by discussing guilt in the black community and why when black people become successful or financially well off they are put in a position where they feel they have to give back to everyone in the community, which is sometimes to their detriment. Is it right to feel that you owe everyone that was a part of your journey once you reach a certain tax bracket? Does not knowing how to deal with money or not being prepared in how to deal with big money play a significant part? The guys then move on to discussing healthy habits that contribute to improving time management and financial literacy including saving before you spend, paying yourself when you get paid and making sure to pay your future self, plus using calendars and to-do boards. Finally, was Jay-Z selling tidal after 7 years of owning the streaming platform a shady move and a slap in the face to black consumers? The lads debate the timeline's opinions on Jay-Z selling majority shares in tidal and how it may be deemed selling out, considering that it was marketed as a black-owned business putting more money into the pockets of black artists, just to be sold on after a few years. But at the end of the day business is business right?

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For Episode 63, Ray brings on frequent guest Millz, who has just dropped his debut mixtape titled 'Fly Straight Szn'. The lads sit down with Millz and discuss what it is like making a musical project from beginning to end and what it takes to remain committed, as Millz explains that the mixtape was years in the making with the earliest song on the project having been made in 2019. The cast also explores Millz musical inspirations and the concept behind 'Fly Straight', detailing how the tape reflects upon his life trials and tribulations, as well as lifestyle. The conversation then moves on to discussing dating standards and knowing your worth as the controversial Kevin Samuels is bought up, who has recently gained a massive online following due to his raw takes and honest opinions when it comes to giving dating advice on his show. With Ray, Sillah & Millz being regular watchers of Kevin Samuel's content, they break down to Toren what his content entails and how ultimately women are mainly to blame for ruining the 'game' we call dating, due to unreasonable standards and expectations they place on men who may or may not be right for them. Finally, a look at mental health in the ends, specifically how growing up in inner-city areas can involve seeing and experiencing a lot of things that many outsiders would consider abnormal and which can later contribute to trauma and other psychological issues. Is therapy as accessible to inner-city youth as it is to other demographics? Ultimately, a well-rounded episode.

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For episode 62, Sillah & Toren take a look at the origins of gang culture, specifically the history behind the bloods and the crips and how over decades they've influenced and birthed other sets and gang culture overseas including within the U.K., with bandana flagging having been a recent trend in music videos by the likes of Digga D and Dezzie, as well as other European countries. Is Bandana flagging that is based off of blood and crip culture outside of America cliche? Or is it just a case of gang and music culture being passed down and crossing borders? The conversation then moves on to a debate on who we could consider the most talented musicians 25 and under, with Juice Wrld, Lil Uzi Vert and Dave receiving mentions. Additional discussions include, is Aaliyah an R&B pioneer and trendsetter, would you consider Drake & Lil Wayne generational talents & with Ghetts recently landing No.2 with Conflict of Interest, which albums out of the U.K. over the last year have actually been no.1 worthy material.

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For episode 61, a celebration of Sillah's Birthday, the Cold Drinks trio delve into Music and Movies. The episode begins with Sillah, Toren & Ray discussing which five albums they would purchase vinyl copies of, cementing them as their favourite musical projects of all time, with the mention of Lauryn Hill's Miseducation, Tupac's All Eyez On Me and Big L's Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous. This then moves onto a conversation about favourite movie trilogies including the Matrix, Godfather and Bad Boys 3. What are some of your favourite movie trilogies? The conversation then diverges back into music with a discussion on Chris Brown and whether he will be considered a legend when it's all said and done. Arguably does Chris Brown have any classic albums, or is he more of a legendary entertainer and hit-maker? The conversation finishes with the trio discussing flawless albums and what contributes to a musical project being given this label.

To join in on the conversation use the hashtag #ColdDrinksPodcast and follow us on Twitter at @ColdDrinksPodcast