Welcome to the Splash Zone! In today's episode of Empty Crates, one of the co-hosts had some life happening, so we subbed in a special guest for the shenanigans. Phrasure brings his own elimination chamber for the best posse cuts (13:08) before getting into the special topics for today's episode... favorite Alabama projects. The guys take time to give roses to Annise Courtney's debut LP, "Rituals" (59:27), Ozu and Akil Pratt's criminally underrated "Akileez Heal" (82:42), Phrasure and Akil's "Dad Raps" (99:36) and K1NG ELJAY's project with Inkline, "Kintsugi" (115:02). It's a spotlight episode for some of the best music to come out of Alabama in the last few years, but there's way more happening here than what we can fit into a description box, so lock in and enjoy today's episode!

On today's episode of Empty Crates, the guys finish up their bracket run for 2025 with the hardest one yet. Deciding the best sophomore albums is a tough task (51:14) that may come down to one single moment...and the title of the episode doesn't spoil that in any way, shape, or form, probably. Outside of that, it's more random moments not limited to Gut's adventures in the kitchen, a particular #NotThatPod moment, a Petey Pablo sighting, Missy Elliott blindspot, and much, much more. Enjoy the episode!

On today's episode of Empty Crates, the guys fire off another bracket to discuss, starring Eminem. This one was actually more difficult than last week's JAY Z bracket, but we'll let you see why. In addition, the guys give their takes on Freddie Gibbs latest "diss" track, a quick eliminator "1 Gotta Go" with legendary music artists, and a cool follow-up / update from the Brother Ali story a couple episodes ago. Enjoy the episode!

Today's episode of Empty Crates has the guys (and Paul) getting into the spirit of March Madness with the return of the music brackets! Today's tourney analyzes some of the best JAY-Z songs and pits them against each other to determine the "best" (43:27). That's the main pillar, but as always, there's much more to discover, such as a live reaction to Benny The Butcher's latest viral photo, a desperate request for our dedicated listeners, and the origins of the greatest biscuit in the Tennessee/Kentucky area. Enjoy the episode!

Welcome back to another content-filled episode of Empty Crates! The main topics for today? The Alchemist, Larry June and 2 Chainz' "Life Is Beautiful" (55:10), and Drake / PARTYNEXTDOOR's "joint" project "$$$4U" (74:03)... but there's a bit more to address with the latter than the former. Gut also takes some time to find out why Baka isn't nice, while ELJAY all but comes apart at the seams when a "worst rapper of all time" list is thrown into the mix before the pre-cap. It's a great episode, and we hope you rock with us.

[Note: this episode was slated for release on 2.7.2025]

On today's short(er) episode of Empty Crates, the guys talk about the impressive haul of hardware that Kendrick Lamar brought home, along with other notable awards from the Grammys this year. LJ also doubles down on his gripe with one of the worst verses from Busta Rhymes, and an important message from Silkk The Shocker makes an appearance. Enjoy today's episode!

Episode 50! It's a milestone that we don't take lightly here at Empty Crates, and the guys decide to hit FULL SEND on the chaos by inviting Hashim and TwentyEight Flavors back on the show to celebrate and talk music. Outside of checking on LJ and Latto's (imaginary) status and Gut's disinterest in Kanye West's upcoming album made with "handchopped beats", the guys take time to truly dive into the latest posthumous release from Mac Miller, which brings out varying degrees of opinions from the roundtable (71:05). There's also a random deep dive into the Bring It On movie franchise, a retroactive review of Will Smith's "Born To Reign" (since someone messed up last time), and thoughts on the sickos speedrunning the old-school Lion King game, but that's only touching the tip of the iceberg for this minimally edited, two and a half-hour pod that's full of jokes and fake rap beef among friends. Enjoy today's episode, and let us know your favorite parts!

Today's episode of Empty Crates has our unofficial third member, Hashim, bringing us one of his favorite albums from Will Smith to review (56:30). There's one problem, however... and the full-time listeners might have an idea what it is beforehand (53:42). Nevertheless, that doesn't stop the show, as the guys address a chaotic elimination chamber (35:44) and an edited music session towards the end that you have to hear to believe. Enjoy your time with Empty Crates!

It's cold outside today, so how about some warm back-and-forth rap banter to keep you warm? Today's main topics on Empty Crates include impressions on Redman's latest album, "Muddy Waters Too" - that's not a typo (75:03) and a revisit to Slum Village's "Fan-Tas-Tic Vol. 2", inspired by an interaction from Episode 47 (52:39). Of course, there's much more to address, including the "meh" Joey Badass verse that inspired some West Coast responses from Ray Vaughn and Daylyt, a Doechii crashout on Azalea Banks, an infamous repeated freestyle from another West Coast artist, a horrible submission for our eventual "worst album" bracket, and much, much more. Enjoy your time with us.

As a sidenote, as mentioned on the episode, a friend of ours had to have his dog put down after years, and is asking for help for the costs. If you rock with us, consider hitting his cashapp and let him know we sent you.

His Cashapp and Venmo: $InklineUno

Link for info: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEkurvKRkUY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Be sure to follow our IG page: @EmptyCratesPod!

You know, we haven't seen you here since last year! Welcome back to Empty Crates! Jokes aside (never), the guys get right back to catching up on the microphone before hitting the main topics on the docket. First off, Skyzoo shows off his chops as a flawless rapper with his newest release, "Keep Me Company" (69:31). The guys then focus their attention on a different position thanks to Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's "Missionary" (85:11) before giving a rundown on their favorite projects of 2024 (2:04:48) with one of the guys unintentionally having a whole TDE block in on his list. What a year for the West, right? Be sure to hit the socials to interact with us, and feel free to message/shoot us voice notes to play on the pod!