Drink Champs: Happy Hour Episode 4 is another exciting episode of this series. In this friendly and engaging podcast, hosts N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN sit down with celebrity guests over drinks to discuss their careers, personal lives, and more in an openly way.
For Episode 4, N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN are joined by none other than hip hop artist and producer Swizz Beatz. Known for his work with DMX, Jay-Z, and his own solo career, Swizz Beatz has made an undeniable impact on hip hop music over the past two decades.
Start of Drink Champs: Happy Hour Episode 4
The episode opens with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN greeting Swizz Beatz warmly as he joins them at the table. After pouring everyone drinks, they jump right into discussing Swizz Beatz’s come up in the industry and early days working with DMX and the Ruff Ryders crew. Swizz describes grinding as an up-and-coming producer in the late 90s, selling beats out of his trunk and doing whatever it took to get his music out there.
“I was hungry. I wanted to make something shake in the game,” Swizz says about hustling his beats on the streets of New York.
Working With DMX
A major part of Swizz Beatz’s career has been his musical partnership with DMX. Swizz produced many of DMX’s biggest hits, including the iconic “Ruff Ryders Anthem”.
Swizz explains how he and DMX worked in the studio together:
“X was different. He’d hear a beat and start writing right there…We’d knock out full songs in 30 minutes sometimes.”
He shares funny stories about DMX’s wild energy and work ethic when making music. The rapport between them pushed each other creatively and resulted in classic tracks.
Success With Jay-Z
Another frequent collaborator of Swizz Beatz is Jay-Z. Swizz produced standout cuts on Jay-Z’s albums like “Jigga My N***a” and “Swizz Beatz Presents: G.H.E.T.T.O. Stories”.
Swizz reveals the origins of his partnership with Jay-Z:
- They met in the late 90s through a mutual friend, Ty-Ty.
- Jay was impressed by Swizz’s production skills at a young age.
- They built a creative trust and Swizz gave Jay some of his best beats.
Swizz says Jay-Z taught him important lessons about conducting business professionally in the rap industry and building a musical legacy.
Verzuz Battle With Timbaland
One of Swizz Beatz’s recent highlights was doing the hugely popular Verzuz beat battle on Instagram Live with producer Timbaland. It was a massive event, breaking audience records.
When asked about how the idea for Verzuz came together, Swizz explains:
- It started as a DJ battle between him and Tim on IG Live during quarantine
- The fan response was so overwhelming, they decided to make it a recurring series
- Verzuz shines a light on the creators behind iconic songs and beats
Swizz talks about his friendship with Timbaland and the friendly competition of their battle. It was a celebration of their contributions to music and culture.
End of Drink Champs: Happy Hour Episode 4
Towards the end of the conversation which was full of entertainment, N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN ask Swizz to share some game about what led to his sustained success over the years.
Swizz imparts some gems:
- Never Compromise Your Artistry: Make the music you believe in, not what you think will be a hit.
- Keep Evolving Your Skills: Be open to learning new techniques and sounds.
- Remember Your Roots: Stay grounded in where you came from even with success.
- Value Personal Relationships: Treat people with respect on your way up.
Swizz emphasizes the importance of integrity and creativity in building a long-term career in hip hop.
Conclusion
As the episode comes to a close, Swizz Beatz thanks N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN for having him on. They toast to another great episode of Drink Champs: Happy Hour.
It was a fascinating conversation with Swizz providing insight into his illustrious career. His track record of hits speaks for itself, but it was great to hear the stories behind his grind. Swizz’s determination and musical vision made him one of the most influential producers in hip hop.
Make sure to tune into the next episode of Drink Champs: Happy Hour for more genuine, engaging dialogues with your favorite artists and entertainers.
