ROC Solid Live: JAY-Z 30 - Live from the Roots Picnic

Summary

ROC Solid Live: JAY-Z 30 – Live from the Roots Picnic

Podcast: ROC Solid
Host: Memphis Bleek (with guests B Dot, Sully, and Ari Melber)
Date: June 2, 2026

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Episode Overview

This special live edition of ROC Solid, recorded at the Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, celebrates the 30th anniversary of JAY-Z’s landmark debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Host Memphis Bleek is joined by respected journalist B Dot, renowned mixologist Sully, and MSNBC anchor Ari Melber to share stories about the Roc-A-Fella legacy, reflect on JAY-Z’s influence, and discuss the evolution of hip-hop culture and cognac. The episode blends nostalgia, industry insights, and brotherhood with moments of humor and candor, offering fans a front-row seat to ROC history.

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Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Memphis Bleek’s Early Days with JAY-Z

(Starts ~01:51)

• Bleek recounts his humble beginnings and loyalty to JAY-Z:
  • He shares a formative story about doing community service and being confronted by Jay for hustling on the streets.
  • JAY-Z supports Bleek by buying him clothes and encouraging him to stick with music:
    • "He like, yo, the fuck you mean you gotta eat your check. Coming. Just be patient. And I'm like, oh, that nigga. We in the crib. Shit is bad. I can't wait on this rap shit…I don't even know if this shit gonna work." (02:46)
  • Jay’s guidance emphasized patience and faith in the vision, not just fast money.
  • Jay took Bleek to buy clothes with the message: “I don't need to see you hustling no more. You good.”

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2. JAY-Z’s 30-Year Legacy: Reflections and Impact

(Kicks off around 05:05)

• Timelessness of the Music:

  • B Dot reflects on first listening to Reasonable Doubt as a kid and growing into its lyrics and meaning:
    • “It means that music is timeless, man. Because I remember listening to this. I was young at the time, but I saw all the older people listening to it and I wanted to catch that vibe.” (05:40)
  • Memories of pivotal albums and rapid output:
    • “I remember buying Hard Knock Life...Streets Is Watching, two albums in one year…then a movie, a soundtrack, and another album in 1998.” – B Dot (05:51–06:15)

• Bleek’s Perspective:

  • The emotional impact of 30 years:
    • “No, it feels like it happened yesterday.” – Memphis Bleek (05:32)
  • Personal milestones—being part of the original Reasonable Doubt sessions in Clark Kent’s basement.

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3. Debating Singles and Fan Moments

(06:36 – 07:23)

• ‘One of My Favorite Records’ Story:
  • Bleek reveals he didn’t want a particular record as the first single; Jay insisted, and it worked out.
    • “I like the record, but I didn't think it was a first single. Really. I told you I didn't want to put it out. I wonder what you think of that to be the first single. And he was like, no, we going with this one. And when it worked, I was like, wow, it worked.” – Memphis Bleek (06:42–06:57)
  • Iconic Uptown sneakers from the music video become a culture moment.
  • B Dot as a lifelong fan:
    • "The 13-year-old me can't believe I'm having a drink from Memphis Bleek." (07:13)

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4. B Dot’s Work & Future Plans

(07:32–08:00)

• B Dot on his career and possible reunions:
  • “See me on any platform, you know, cover lines…My interview series on that, bro. Still…Got a new interview line after that real soon. Catch me anywhere day in the life.” (07:36–07:41)
  • On possible Rap Radar reunion: “I mean, never say never, but, you know, I gotta do me right now.” (07:55)

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5. D’USSÉ & Mixology – Cognac Culture with Sully

(09:02 – 11:20, 16:23 – 19:07)

• Crafting the Signature Summer Drink:

  • Sully shares recipes and the story behind a new summer cocktail, encouraging listeners to experiment:
    • “Guava syrup, lemon juice, Prosecco…Don’t forget the Sunshine. There’s some St. Germain, too. That’s your summer drink.” (09:26–09:39)
  • The roots of cognac as a cocktail staple:
    • “Cognac as a category was the number one spirit used at the very beginning of the cocktail era…in 1850s New Orleans.” (10:47)

• Mission to Re-Educate:

  • Sully’s goal is to show cognac’s versatility:
    • “My mission is to re-educate on how we can mix the…You can take any cocktail, remove the spirit, put Juice in it. Every single thing, it’s best really well with cognac…” (11:00)

• Celebrating with Cognac Week & History:

  • Unique “Cognac Week” activations in June, taking over shelves and celebrating at the D’USSÉ Chateau in Cognac, France.
    • "Why take only one day to celebrate that one spirit? That means a lot. So we take the whole week to celebrate from the June 1st to June 7th..." – Sully (17:44)
  • Bleek to perform at the thousand-year-old Chateau—historic for hip-hop and cognac alike.
    • “Bleak will be the first hip hop artist to perform in the world of the castle.” – Sully (18:26)

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6. Ari Melber on Hip-Hop’s Generational Growth & Jay-Z’s Influence

(19:30 – 24:05)

• Roots Picnic—Marking Hip-Hop History:

  • Ari shares personal love for The Roots and JAY-Z; calls this part of “the start of the summer celebration of these home anniversaries.” (20:04)
  • On JAY-Z’s broader impact:
    • “HOV is not just transcended where he was — brought so many people…What we’re seeing is, to me, a way to both celebrate and mark history, but not be stuck in the past. Look at elevation, excellence, building.” (20:46–21:22)
  • On hip-hop as an evolving, maturing culture:
    • “…Hip hop, because you guys are the first generation that we've watched actually grow up into this new era and be in a different life stage…” (21:25)

• Musical Nostalgia & Bleek’s Full Circle Moment:

  • Bleek reminisces about recording “Coming of Age” as a kid and receives inspiration:
    • “…as fast as you remember this piece of paper will be as fast as your life change. Here we are.” (21:46–22:39)

• Ari Melber’s Bar Quotient & Staying Humble:

  • On being asked if he raps:
    • “People ask me that sometimes…well, I quote and I quote with knowledge and respect. But, like, I don't actually rap, right?” (22:40)
    • Shares formative experiences at a high school with Quincy Jones and Jimi Hendrix legacies.
  • Memorable quote on artistry vs. intellectualism:
    • “An intellectual takes a simple thing and makes it complicated, and an artist takes a complicated thing and makes it simple…” – Ari Melber (quoting Charles Bukowski, 24:05)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Being a “Villain” in Hip Hop Commentary (w/ B Dot):

  • “It's like what Ice Cube said. I'm the [villain] you love to hate…But I embrace it.” – B Dot (04:27)

• On Hate & Love:

  • “I always said for a person to hate you, they have to love you. Because if you think about it, a person who hates you know everything about you. That's why they hate you.” – Memphis Bleek (04:39)

• On Reasonable Doubt’s Impact:

  • “Jay told me, if you remember this verse, it'll change your life. Here we are, 30 years later.” – Memphis Bleek (05:21)

• On Cognac & Hip Hop Convergence:

  • “We taking over all cognacs. Take y'all shitty ass liquor off the shelf, cuz D'USSÉ is taking up all shelf space…” – Memphis Bleek (17:15)

• On Legacy & Making Complicated Ideas Accessible:

  • “An intellectual takes a simple thing and makes it complicated, and an artist takes a complicated thing and makes it simple...” – Ari Melber quoting Bukowski (24:05)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Early Hustle Story & Jay-Z’s Guidance: 01:51 – 03:50
• Legacy of Reasonable Doubt and First Impressions: 05:05 – 06:23
• Debate About Lead Singles: 06:36 – 07:13
• Cognac Mixology & Sully’s Summer Drink Tips: 09:02 – 11:20
• Cognac Week Plans & Chateau Celebration: 17:15 – 18:45
• Ari Melber on Hip-Hop Generational Growth: 19:30 – 21:46
• The Bleek–Jay-Z Full Circle Story: 21:46 – 22:39
• Ari’s Notes on Rapping & Bukowski Quote: 22:39 – 24:05

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Episode Tone & Style

Unfiltered, laid-back, and celebratory. The episode mixes wise and witty banter with heartfelt nostalgia for the golden era of hip-hop, blending genuine respect among guests with spontaneous humor and inside stories only the ROC could provide. It’s a toast to legacy and the ongoing evolution of hip-hop culture.

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For fans of hip-hop history, ROC Solid Live: JAY-Z 30 delivers legendary stories, behind-the-scenes game, and the pure camaraderie of the culture’s architects—straight from the heart of the celebration.

Transcript

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

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[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

We get to ask other people questions

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

[Jonas Brothers Narrator]

Hey, Jonas is available now, and their first guest is a big one, Paul Rudd.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

You know, Steve Carell is a great singer.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Can he tell you not to audition at the office or something? I told him, whoa. We were filming Anchorman. Clearly, I was the idiot. Thank God he didn't listen to me, right?

[Jonas Brothers Narrator]

Listen to hey, Jonas on the iHeartrad app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Isaiah Thomas]

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas, and I'm C.J.

[C.J. Toledano]

toadano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point game the Playoffs.

[Isaiah Thomas]

We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season, and I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was firing.

[C.J. Toledano]

You just understood.

[Isaiah Thomas]

That's how personal it get.

[Memphis Bleak]

Wow.

[Isaiah Thomas]

Then after that game seven, Marquis coming to you, he's like, you know I love you, dog. You know it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

[C.J. Toledano]

So listen to point game on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life?

[Deep Cover Family Member]

That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are?

[Keith Giamanca]

I felt such desperation. I felt it was what I had to do.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Listen to deep cover the family man on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

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[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

What up, y'?

[Rap Artist / Narrator]

All?

[Memphis Bleak]

This your main man, Memphis Bleak right here. Welcome to Rock Solid, a production of iHeartRadio and the Black Effect Network in partnership with my guys over at Drink Champs. That J. It was Jay. He flew by. See me standing there sweeping under the bqe. The put the reverse lights on on the GS now. Now. He like, yo, what you doing? So I'm like, yo, I got community service, bro. I got core hustling. Yeah, yo, up was like, yo, what? Yo, when you done, man? Come to the crib, man.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I'm be at the crib.

[Memphis Bleak]

Come to the crib when you done. I'm like, all right, I'll be At the crib. Now mind you, Fort Greene is literally downtown where the Barclays, the Duke, all the crib. The crib was at. So it was literally like a 10 minute walk. I go to the crib and they go hove. He's like, man, yo, you selling drugs, man? I'm like, yeah, I gotta eat. He like, yo, the fuck you mean you gotta eat your check. Coming. Just be patient. And I'm like, oh, that nigga. We in the crib. Shit is bad. I can't wait on this rap shit. I don't even know if this shit gonna work. He like, blizz, trust me, just trust me. Stick with it. So he like, man, what the is you hustling for anyway? You got a little bit of bread. So I know it ain't the money. And I'm like, nigga, I gotta keep up. I ain't fly. Like, I need some drip that took me downtown to the store and bought me a bunch of shit. Like $5,000 worth of clothes. I don't need to see you hustling no more. You good? Chill, chill, chill.

[Rap Artist / Narrator]

I'm out here slinging, bringing the drama, trying to come up in the game and add a couple of dollar signs to my name. I'm out here serving, disturbing the peace. Life could be better. Like my man reclined in plush leather seats.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You know what it is? Back with another exclusive. We here at the Roots picnic, Doucet Lounge, right now, chilling. My brother just walked in the building, you know, I told him, grab a seat. Cause I learned this shit from hell, man.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

You know what I mean?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

This is my brother, B Dot.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

What's up, Bleak.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I called my guy cause I seen him Jo Joe Button set. And then he became the villain. Instantly. I'm like, yo, did you choose that role or did they give it to you, man?

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

It's like what Ice Cube said. I'm the. You love to hate, you know what I mean? But I. I embrace it.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

How the villain role feel, man?

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Man, it feels good. You know what I mean? Listen, the opposite of love is in hate.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

It's indifference.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I always said for a person to hate you, they have to love you.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Exactly.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Because if you think about it, a person who hates you know everything about you. That's why they hate you.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Exactly.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

So I'm okay with it. You, I'd rather you feel something than I feel nothing at all.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That'. So yo, we here do say J30. As you say J. 30. 30 years, my brother.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Cheers to that.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Cheers. 30 years, man. Reasonable doubt.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

You was on that Album, Right?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's what I'm saying.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

You were there.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Rest in peace, Clark Kent. 30 years ago, I was in Clark Kent basement eating six bacon cheeseburgers from Wendy's. Wow. Junior bacon cheeseburgers.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Junior bacon cheeseburgers. It was 99 cent.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

And Jay told me, if you remember this verse, it'll change your life. Here we are, 30 years later.

[Memphis Bleak]

Life is death.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

It's different.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Does it feel like 30 years old?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

No, it feels like it happened yesterday. Wow. So that's why I want to hear from your perspective. What does J30 mean to you, man?

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

It means that music is timeless, man. Because I remember listening to this. I was young at the time, but I saw all the older people listening to it and I wanted to catch that vibe.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yes.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

So then I started listening to it, writing the lyrics, catching things rewinding, and I'm like, okay, I got it now. You know what I'm saying? And then just talking about the journey, man. 30 years, I remember buying Hard Knock Life.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I remember saying, you know, streets is watching two albums in one year.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

People don't talk about it.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Two albums.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

All respect to DMX for what he

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

did in the movie.

[Ari Melber]

In the movie.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

In a movie.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

A movie, a soundtrack, and another album in 1998. So 30 years in the making, man. Like, you know, I can't imagine what the next 30 is gonna look like.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Next 30 is we taking over. It's us, you know, it's us. I'm about to be on the. On the 30 year, 25 year, coming age. You took the block, like, you know what I'm saying?

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

I always tell people, one of my favorite Swiss Piece records. One of your favorite.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

One of my favorite records of, you know, it's crazy. I didn't even like the record. I like the record, but I didn't think it was a first single. Really. I told you I didn't want to put it out. I wonder what you think of that to be the first single. And he was like, no, we going with this one. And when it worked, I was like, wow, it worked.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Just hearing that instrumentation and then the video, when you had those uptowns on, everybody wanted those uptowns, yo.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

They need to make the uppies with the straps hanging the back. Nike, stop playing. We don't want the made in built in strap, man.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

But that's the funny talk about J30. It's like even sitting here with you, like, I'm, you know, we friends, we cool. But I'm still a fan at heart. The 13 year old me can't Believe I'm having a drink from Memphis Bleak.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Talking about meth.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Bleak is JC30. It's wild.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

30 years later, though.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Crazy.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

It's insane, man. Well, we still look good. I'm happy to be.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Yes.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

What's next for you, man? What can the people expect for me now?

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

See me on any platform, you know, cover lines.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

My interview series on that, bro. Still.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

We still working.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

I got a new interview line after that real soon. Catch me anywhere day in the life.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right. Yo, so when we. When we catch you and your. I got back together. Any reunion or rap on rap radar.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

I mean, never say never, but, you know, I gotta do me right now. So that's what it's all about.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I respect that, man. God bless me. I appreciate. You know what it is, J30 Doucet mafia, rock solid bang.

[Rap Artist / Narrator]

Give me the no. Then these gonna. See, I'm tired of vegan out here around the clock and breaking date and chasing crackers up the bl for my pay. I'm sticking fresh, so chicken check.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yeah, y', all, you know what it is. Yours truly, Memphis Bleak, back with an exclusive episode of Rock Solid Podcast. As you can see live at the Mecca, the dude say house, man. And if you don't stay solid, you won't be rock solid, man. I got my brother in the building, the best cosmopolitan drinker, best mixture, best guy from France in the world right here with me, man. My God, Squad, when you drink, you say, and you mix it with anything, 90% chance it's made by this man right here, man. My God, man. What's up, Sally? How you been, bro? I just seen my guy in France at the D?

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Chateau.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I'm like, sally, we need a new drink. Tell them what you made for the summer, man.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

When it comes to. We need to change the mentality how people right as I please. You live in Florida. Why is your flavor. I like mango, passion fruit. I was like, okay. And that's why I remember you hit me up like.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yeah.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

What is the French? 75. So, like, you like Prosecco? You like sparkly one? Yeah. So we need to say guava syrup, lemon juice, Prosecco.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

And, you know, summer.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Don't forget the Sunshine. There's some St. Germany to put some, like, really nice. So this is such a guava syrup, lemon juice and Prosecco. That's your summer drink.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

And we call it their summer man. So make sure y' all enjoy that this summer. The recipe cards will be out soon. My God, Sully gonna be on the show soon. We gonna do Something special one day where we just give out tips on how to make different cosmos, different drinks, different mixtures. One day I want to do that. So it could be almost like a. A podcast bartending session.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

I mean, you find me a bar, I jump down the bar, I do my job.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Because I know you go all around the world at different bars, training different staffs on how to, you know, appreciate the brand and what it's about. And, you know, what's that like for those who don't know? Like, you know, it's certain bars out here, you never. They would love for a guy like you to walk in and show them the science behind mixology.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Like, I mean, the thing to. To consider is that Konak is a. Is a really popping category category here in the US but we don't really have much knowledge on how it's made and how it can be used in cocktail. And we tend to forget that cognac as a category was the number one spirit used at the very beginning of the cocktail era.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Talk about like 1850s in New Orleans in America, when we started to make cocktails, cognac was the number one spirit used. We forgot about that. So we still say being the modern version of cognac design for cocktails.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

My mission is to re educate on how we can mix the. And it's super simple. You can take any cocktail that you like, any spirit, you remove the spirit, and you put juice in it. It's gonna work. I got it. Remove the red puttuce in it. Every single thing. It's best really well with corner everything, man.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I love it.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

What's the news?

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Huge news. We created our own podcast called hey Jonas. We invented a podcast. Well, we didn't invent it.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

We.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

We just contributed to first people to do podcasts. Pretty. Yeah, Pretty wide range of podcasts, but this one's extra special. So how did we. How do we actually come up with the name hey Jonas? Guys, I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. And, well, we were thinking. I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers was. This is how you guys remember it going down? Yes, I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing a

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

bit for the podcast.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

People could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, hey, Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast, but thanks for remembering that. Guys, listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

In 2023, a story gripped the UK evoking horror and disbelief.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

The nurse who should have been in charge of caring for tiny babies is now the most prolific child killer in modern British history.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

Everyone thought they knew how it ended. A verdict. A villain, a nurse named Lucy Letby.

[Memphis Bleak]

Lucy Letby has been found guilty.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

But what if we didn't get the whole story?

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

The moment you look at the whole

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

picture, the case collapses.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

I'm Amanda Knox, and in the new podcast Doubt the Case of Lucy Letby, we follow the evidence and hear from the people that lived it to ask what really happened when the world decided who Lucy Letby was. No voicing of any skepticism or doubt.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

It'll cause so much harm at every single level of the British establishment of this is wrong.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

Listen to Doubt the Case of Lucy Letby. You can binge all episodes now on iHeart podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Drink Champs Narrator]

June is Black Music Month, and on the Drink Champs podcast, we're speaking with the hottest names in the culture, like Swae Lee.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Do you realize how legendary you are?

[Swae Lee]

I appreciate that. I'd be seeing it, but I'm like, man, I still got, like, so much more to do. Like Prince, he dropped like 30 albums. We dropped like five right now. That's the rate we got to be going.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yep, that's a good attitude.

[Drink Champs Narrator]

You also hear stories from industry legends and hip hop pioneers like Fab five Freddy.

[Fab Five Freddy]

I directed one of Nas's early videos.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Which one?

[Memphis Bleak]

One Love.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Wow.

[Rap Artist / Narrator]

Yes.

[Fab Five Freddy]

I literally filmed in his apartment in Queensbridge. His moms were still up in that apartment. Nas was just beginning to take off. His pops used to live near me in Harlem. His dad introduced him to a whole lot of, you know, conscious stuff, and he made a young prodigy.

[Drink Champs Narrator]

No matter the era, Drink Champs brings you the biggest names and the most unfiltered conversations. Listen to Drink Champs from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Keith Giamanca seemed like a mild mannered suburban dad, but secretly, he became someone else, a master of disguise who went on a crime spree. At the time, did it seem like a crazy idea?

[Keith Giamanca]

It seemed very crazy, but I felt so desperate that I felt it was the quickest, easiest way out.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Did you allow yourself to think about how it could go wrong and what that might look like.

[Keith Giamanca]

No, I didn't want to manifest that. I was trying to manifest success.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life?

[Deep Cover Family Member]

That is not the look of an innocent man. This is gonna change my life and my family dynamic forever. Because everything that had existed prior in my reality is now untrue.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Listen to Deep Cover the Family man on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

So, yo, tell me what it means to you, you know, 30 years, Jay Z, Reasonable Doubt. I. It's full circle, bro. 30 years ago, I remember being the guy sitting on the opposite side of the camera, wishing to be on the camera. So 30 years ago, 30 years with Jay Z for you to be here, what does that mean for you?

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

I mean, 30 years, like I'm honestly, I'm 39.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You was nine years old.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

From me, it's like discovering the whole new thing. Because when I was nine, I couldn't make resonate. I couldn't relate the same way I can today.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

So today when I listen to Jay, like that talks to me that who I am.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Which is the thing that I love to be part of, to see. Because it's part of the legacy that is building. So yeah, I'm being part of this legacy. So for me, being here today is really a moment.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

And actually I created like the cocktail 30.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You drinking code 30. I'm drinking the watermelon guava.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Say so myself.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

The dude say so.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

That I created for men in America. The last man in America. That was something like fresh game.

[Ari Melber]

Yeah.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

The code 30 is like, you know, because like when ju was created in 2012.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yes.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Somebody asked Jay like what he like. I like amaretto. I like B. And they create the code, which was basically juicy amaretto and pineapple. 30 years later, I'm like 16 years later was juicy. I wanted to, to create a content that kind of showcase the. The evolution of his career. So the 430 is a reinterpretation of this classic to make it more modern, to be more into like what he has been doing with his life in this music industry. And outside of music industry. It's been winning everywhere, bro.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Winning, winning, winning team. Yo, but another thing, man, we got cognac week, bro. June 1st cognac. Well, you know what that mean. We, we taking over all cognacs. Put y' all shitty ass liquor on the shelf with matter of fact, take it off the shelf, cuz D say it's taking up all shelf space the first week of June, Cognac week, and we doing everything, man. We got something again.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Like, the thing is, like, that's how we do things different with to say.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

Because there is an American national Connect Day. Gas June Force has been around for years. And last year, we do say we created. Why take only one day to celebrate that one spirit? That means a lot. So we take the whole week to celebrate from the June 1st to June 7th, we'll be out there pushing cognac, pushing Juicy especially.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

I think we've got like 17, 18 markets coming this year in Miami.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

I'll be out there every single day doing different things just to change.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

We got something special in Cognac, France. We're doing the music festival at the Dulce Chateau.

[Memphis Bleak]

Come on.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

I mean, guys, you know, so this is made in the castle. This castle is thousand or thousand years old.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

The French Renaissance was born in.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

This was built in 1030, was like in four years. We said 1,000 years. All right. There's a lot of history within this castle. The king was born there, Ducey was born there. And Bleak will be the first hip hop artist to perform in the world of the castle. That's gonna be, you know what that made June 1st.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You know, it's going to be fire. I can't wait, man. June 1st, June 2nd, we going to be in Cognac, France. So if you see this and you can make it, get your ticket, pull out. I mean, July, July 1, July 2. But June 1 is Cognac Week, so pop with us. Yo, Sully, I appreciate you pulling us, man. We got to do this again, my brother.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

We're going to do a proper one. But thank you for our image. This is road speak. We're in Philly.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Let's go, my brother. Love, bro.

[Rap Artist / Narrator]

Reflect from the sun Directly in your equilibrium it's done I'm waiting for my day to come I got the urge to splurge I don't want a lifetime sentence Just give me the word it's time to come up in my crown

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

all right, you know what it is, y'. All. Yours truly, Memphis Bleak back with another exclusive rock solid podcast. Live at the Door Lounge, Roots, Picnic, legendary RE Melbourne. Stop by. You know, man, we just went skyrocket now, man. What's up, my brother?

[Ari Melber]

Great to see you, Bleak, how you doing?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

See you, man. What brings you to Roots Picnic, man?

[Ari Melber]

This Is my first Roots picnic. Obviously. Love the Roots. For a long time we worked in the same building Center Half Black Thought and other folks on my show. And then with HOV here. And this is the start for those who know already know.

[Rap Artist / Narrator]

Yes.

[Ari Melber]

This is the start of the summer celebration of these home anniversaries.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

I'm excited, yo. I'm looking forward to Yankee Stadium, bro. I can't wait.

[Ari Melber]

You know things we don't know. So I want to know what you know.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You've got a lot of surprises. A lot. So, yo, you know, it's been 30 years. We celebrated J. 30, 30 year anniversary. A reasonable doubt. What does that mean to you, man?

[Ari Melber]

So to me, this is music I grew up on. HOV is my number one artist. He, for my thinking, got me into hip hop. And over the time, I've been able to, of course, do work with him. They have me write an essay for Book of and get like, involved. That's like, amazing to me. And what it means when you look at time is. Music marks time.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yes.

[Ari Melber]

That's why you could be at a wedding and the song plays and it's like how you met or an important moment. And then you could be anniversary. It's another moment. It's so. I think for those of us who grew up on this, it's meaningful. But then you look at the fact that Hove is not just transcended where he was brought so many people. You know, Bleak made millions. Dave made millions if he wasn't in his feelings. And so what we're seeing is, to me, a way to both celebrate and mark history, but not be stuck in the past. Look at elevation, excellence, building.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

And so. So there are artists sometimes.

[Ari Melber]

I mean, I love Bob Marley.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yeah.

[Ari Melber]

His time is not his past. So that is, of course, looking in the past. And I think in hip hop, because you guys are the first generation that we've watched actually grow up into this new era.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Yes.

[Ari Melber]

And be in a different life stage. Everyone's figuring out, what does that mean? What does it mean to see hoven 55, 56 years old, rock at the stage? And so that's what it means to me. What does it mean to you?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Oh, it means the world of me. Like I said, jay Z was 24 years old. I was 14 years old.

[Ari Melber]

That's crazy, right?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You know what I'm saying? And then we did Coming to Age. It came out two years later. We did it in 1994, it dropped in 96. And here we are 30 years ago. I was a kid dreaming of this life. And here I am now. So it means the world to me. And that's what's so ironic, that doing coming to age, he ripped the paper out of no book and gave it to me and said, as fast as you remember this piece of paper will be as fast as your life change. Here we are. Here we are 100%, right? So I just want to say, man, I. I watch a lot of news. When it comes to the news anchors, man, you the number one. Nobody got bars like Ari. Yo, you ever think about dropping this all yourself, man? Cuz you get spitting all the bars.

[Isaiah Thomas]

Respect.

[Ari Melber]

So people ask me that sometimes I'll be walking down the streets and would go, oh, you do the rap news? And I'm like, well, I quote and I quote with knowledge and respect. But, like, I don't actually rap, right?

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

No way, man.

[Ari Melber]

You. You.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

You had to sometime at one time. There's no way you could recite them and remember bars like that if you didn't rap at one point.

[Ari Melber]

I grew up going to Garfield High School, big public school in Seattle.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

That's.

[Ari Melber]

That's Quincy Jones school. That's where he went. That's where Jimi Hendrix went. So there was a rich tradition around us. So you also learn to, like, know what you can do and what you bring and what you don't. So we were surrounded by musical life, legacies, and obviously the music program there was all. Yeah, so I wasn't in the music. Like, I was friends with the musicians and I was like, into it, but I'm not bringing that. So I'm not. I'm trying to be knowledgeable and humble about that. But yes, when we were coming up, like, that was back. And I don't know what kids are doing today, but in our day, they were throwing parties in parks because you could drink in the park, bring the speakers out, and you do that until the gods came.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

That's right.

[Ari Melber]

Would there be ciphers back then? There would be some ciphers.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

It was in a few ciphers.

[Ari Melber]

There were ciphers.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

My brother, I appreciate you for stopping by. It's been a pleasure, man. Thank you. Continue.

[B Dot (Guest on Rock Solid Podcast)]

Much success.

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

Continue reporting the news that we needed. Because I love the way you break it down. You get. You explain it to the way guys from my neighborhood and what we live in can really understand it. You speak to it.

[Ari Melber]

That's the highest thing, and that's what you and HOV and other people do. This is my. Since we're ending, I'll end with a quote. This isn't a Lyric, but it is a bar. There's a writer, Charles Bukowski. I really like his writing, and what you just said is means a lot to me because he said, an intellectual takes a simple thing and makes it complicated, and an artist takes a complicated

[Memphis Bleak (Host of Rock Solid Podcast)]

thing and makes it simple, and that's exactly what you're doing, man. I appreciate that. Trust me. All of us over the world, we appreciate watching you, and we love you, my brother. Thank you so much. Stay blessed, man. Brother, thank you. You know what it is? Rap.

[Memphis Bleak]

For more podcasts from iHeartRadio, visit iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows at. And you can follow me on any. Any social media platform under the name Memphis Bleak. You see anybody frauding, flag them.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Hey, guys, it's us, the Jonas Brothers.

[Sully (Mixologist / Cognac Expert)]

I'm Joe.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called hey Jonas.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

We invented a podcast.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Well, we didn't invent it. We. We just contributed to it. First people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to hey Jonas on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

[Isaiah Thomas]

What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas, and I'm C.J.

[C.J. Toledano]

toledano. It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast, Point game, the playoffs.

[Isaiah Thomas]

We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season, and I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. If we didn't talk ever again, I was firmly.

[C.J. Toledano]

You just understood.

[Isaiah Thomas]

That's how personal it got.

[Memphis Bleak]

We.

[Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, Nick)]

Wow.

[Isaiah Thomas]

Then after that game seven, Marquis coming to you, he's like, you know I love you, dawg. You know it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball.

[C.J. Toledano]

So listen to Point game on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Every family has its secrets. But what happens when you discover that your dad has been living a double life?

[Deep Cover Family Member]

That is not the look of an innocent man. Is everyone lying to me about who they are?

[Keith Giamanca]

I felt such desperation. I felt it was what I had to do.

[Jonas Brothers Commentary / Deep Cover Narrator]

Listen to Deep Cover the family man on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Theo Henderson]

For years, the Unhoused has been presented as a monolith in mainstream Media Wheaton House is a podcast that's changing the narrative. I'm Theo Henderson and I created the show while unhoused on the streets of Los Angeles. We've grown into a two time Webby Award winning podcast, the only podcast that shares unhoused stories and news from the unhoused perspective. Listen to we the unhoused on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[iHeartRadio Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.