Episode 84: Ric Scales - "Juice" (1992)

Ric Scales is a hip-hop artist based out of San Diego who has opened for the likes of Mos Def, KRS One, Raekwon, and Ghost Face Killah of Wu Tang and more. As one half of the hip-hop group 18scales, founder of monthly showcase Slappin' Hands, and multiple time champion of the Battlebot freestyle competition, he is most known for his freestyle ability, witty yet thoughtful content, and carefree performance. Juice is a 1992 American crime thriller set in Harlem, following four teenagers navigating the pressures of their urban environment. Their lives take a violent turn after a botched robbery attempt, leading one of the friends down a dark path driven by a thirst for power, or "juice". The film explores themes of friendship, ambition, and the devastating consequences of gun violence and the quest for respect in a challenging world. Directed by Ernest R. Dickerson. Starring Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, and Jermaine Hopkins.