Podcast Summary: The Breakfast Club – INTERVIEW: N.O.R.E. Talks 'Run Champs,' 'Drink Champs,' Diddy, Kanye, Jim Jones Vs. Nas, Wine Incident + More
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts
Title: The Breakfast Club
Hosts: DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
1. Introduction and Guest Overview
The episode begins with the vibrant energy characteristic of The Breakfast Club, featuring DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Charlamagne Tha God. The special guest for this episode is the legendary N.O.R.E., also known as Joe Quintero, who brings a wealth of experience from both his music career and his ventures into podcasting.
Notable Quote:
"We are passionate. They wake up in the morning with me. 4:30 in the morning." – N.O.R.E. [15:10]
2. N.O.R.E.'s Music Career and Early Collaborations
N.O.R.E. delves into his early days in the hip-hop scene, discussing significant collaborations that propelled his career forward. He shares anecdotes about working with Nas on tracks like "I'm Leaving," highlighting the challenges and triumphs of producing music during that era.
Notable Quotes:
"Nas was on our War Report, the first album. And he was on a record called 'Music make this Thugs. Calm Down.'" – N.O.R.E. [08:45]
"That's why to this day, I always, you know, show nature love is. Because that was nature's session." – N.O.R.E. [12:30]
3. The Birth and Evolution of 'Drink Champs'
One of the focal points of the discussion is N.O.R.E.'s creation of the Drink Champs podcast. He elaborates on the inception of the show, its growth, and how it has become a staple in hip-hop media. N.O.R.E. emphasizes the importance of authenticity and real-time interactions with guests, contrasting it with the more polished approaches of other media platforms.
Notable Quotes:
"It's a balance to this shit. Like, I'm with it because. But that's why I enjoy doing what we doing with Run Champs." – N.O.R.E. [25:15]
"That's why he doubles down on it, and I don't know. But if he called back, I think I'll accept him." – N.O.R.E. [37:50]
4. Collaboration Stories with Diddy, Kanye, and Others
N.O.R.E. shares insightful stories about his collaborations with industry giants like Diddy and Kanye West. He recounts the spontaneous nature of these collaborations, such as Big Pun's unexpected verse on his track and the complexities of working with Kanye during tumultuous times.
Notable Quotes:
"But when I worked messed with Pharrell, people were like, why is his shirt so tight? People were telling me, is that eyeliner he got on?" – N.O.R.E. [32:20]
"But Kanye's was very weird, like, cause I had never got third. What is it? Second grade? Secondhand, secondhand hate." – N.O.R.E. [40:05]
5. The Jim Jones vs. Nas Debate
A heated discussion arises around the comparison between Jim Jones and Nas, particularly focusing on Nas's enduring legacy versus Jim Jones's current standing in the hip-hop world. N.O.R.E. provides a data-driven perspective, citing Google search statistics and Spotify listener numbers to highlight Nas's dominance in the industry.
Notable Quotes:
"Nas gets between 200 and 300,000 searches a month globally. Jim Jones gets 40 to 70,000 searches globally." – N.O.R.E. [28:40]
"The fact that we're even having this conversation, that's a win for Jim Jones." – N.O.R.E. [29:10]
6. Personal Incidents and Life Reflections
N.O.R.E. opens up about a distressing incident involving a wine purchase that led to a police call. He discusses the emotional and psychological impact of the event, touching on themes of race and personal safety. Additionally, he shares how running has become a therapeutic hobby for him, helping him cope with the stresses of his experiences.
Notable Quotes:
"When you call a police officer on a black man in America? That woman tried to get me killed. She said, I'm in fear of my life." – N.O.R.E. [50:30]
"It's like therapy. I go running to get my mind off of that." – N.O.R.E. [52:15]
7. Insights on the Modern Music and Media Landscape
The conversation shifts to N.O.R.E.'s observations on the current state of the music industry and media distribution. He critiques the shift towards algorithm-driven strategies for tours and promotions, advocating for a more organic and artist-centric approach.
Notable Quotes:
"I believe this is the cheat code for everybody, because I did it for artists recently..." – N.O.R.E. [30:50]
"If you play Kendrick Lamar, you gotta throw away your Drake CD. That's messed up." – N.O.R.E. [34:25]
8. Future Endeavors and Projects
Looking ahead, N.O.R.E. reveals plans for a documentary focusing on his two-year association with Kanye West, aiming to provide an in-depth look into their dynamic and the challenges they faced. He also touches upon upcoming musical projects, including his new record "Win Again."
Notable Quotes:
"I'm gonna do a documentary. My two years with Kanye." – N.O.R.E. [45:10]
"It's called 'Win Again.' Because we're gonna win again." – N.O.R.E. [46:00]
9. Closing Thoughts and Final Remarks
As the interview concludes, N.O.R.E. reflects on his journey, the importance of maintaining authenticity, and the role of media in shaping public perception. The hosts express their appreciation for his candidness and contributions to the hip-hop community.
Notable Quote:
"That's why I enjoy Doing what we doing with Run Champs. It's like. It's all positivity." – N.O.R.E. [48:50]
Conclusion
This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a deep dive into N.O.R.E.'s multifaceted career—from his foundational years in hip-hop to his influential role in podcasting. Listeners gain valuable insights into the complexities of the music industry, the evolution of media consumption, and the personal resilience required to navigate both professional and personal challenges. N.O.R.E.'s stories serve as both inspiration and a testament to his enduring impact on the culture.
Note: All timestamps correspond to approximate points within the provided transcript.