Book Club

🎙️ Welcome to another meeting of Book Club - where the books aren’t novels, and the club is just you and two dudes called Nic(k).📚 Join us this week as we crack open three new books and rant about subscriptions, spatial awareness, and all the other things we think should be illegal. 🏀 ⁠2025 NBA Finals: New Champions⁠ [05/06/2025 - 22/06/2025]Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren look to cap off one of the greatest regular seasons of all time and finally bring a championship to the Oklahoma City Thunder. But who’s standing in their way? Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the Indiana Pacers on the back of one the historic playoff runs in NBA history. This one has it all as we enjoy the first 7-game Finals series since 2016, and watch a franchise win their first chip. 🎧 History of Hip-Hop: ⁠Midnight Marauders - A Tribe Called Quest [09/11/1993]We take a stroll down the electric relaxation of one of the smoothest, smartest, and most beloved albums in the history of rap. Tribe’s 3rd album caps off one of the great runs in the annals hip-hop. We go track-by-track, decode standout lines, and appreciate why this one still lives on over 2 decades later. 🔥 Today in Hip-Hop: Joey Bada$$ vs. The West [01/01/2025 - 22/05/2025]The Brooklyn MC fires shots westward... and the West shall answer. We recap the 2025 JoeyBada$$ beef that dragged in Ray Vaugh, Daylyt, Reason, Ab Soul, and every other rapper trying to make a name for themselves. Who said what, when, and how? What started it? And where do things stand now? Get ready for bars, breakdowns, and Book Club court rulings.We break down an abridged version of the beef, but you can find the whole list of curated tracks here: JoeyBada$$ vs. Everyone 🗓️ Next Meeting: Homework       HOHH: Doggy Style - Snoop Dogg [23/11/1993] TIHH: Auditorium - Mos Def feat. Slick Rick [09/06/2009]Victory - Slick Rick [13/06/2025]NBA: 2020 Finals - Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat [30/09/2020 - 11/10/2020] 🎶 Want to follow along with us?       Follow along with our run-through of the ⁠History of Hip Hop⁠Check out our Spotify playlists:⁠History of Hip Hop 1990-1994⁠ ⁠Today in Hip Hop 2025⁠ 📬 Got feedback or homework suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Hit us up at ⁠[email protected]

🎙️ Welcome to another meeting of Book Club - where the books aren’t novels, and the club is just you and two dudes called Nic(k).📚 Join us this week as we crack open three new books, talk football heartbreak, the AI Revolution, as well as our usual tangents and shenanigans.🏀 2019 NBA Finals: The fall of a dynasty [31/05/2019-14/06/2019]Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant lead the Golden State Warriors into their fifth straight Finals appearance, but face a new challenger: Kawhi Leonard, Pascal Siakam, Serge Ibaka, and the hungry Toronto Raptors, making their first-ever NBA Finals appearance as a franchise.This one’s got injuries, iconic moments, the end of an era, and one burning question; is basketball coming home?🎧 History of Hip-Hop: Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) [09/11/1993]We revisit one of the greatest Hip-Hop albums of all time. From Shaolin to your stereo, this 1993 masterpiece by RZA, GZA, Method Man, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa changed the game forever.We go track-by-track, bar-by-bar, Wu-Tang-style.🔥 Today in Hip-Hop: Wu-Tang Clan - Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman [12/04/2025]Fast-forward 32 years to Wu-Tang’s newest release with Mathematics on production. We talk evolution, sound, and whether the Clan still reigns in the new era.Check out Dissect Podcast’s breakdown of Kendrick's Super Bowl Show as we briefly mention it in this episode.🗓️ Next Meeting: Homework       HOHH: A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders [09/11/1993] TIHH: ⁠Joey Bada$$ vs. The World - shots fired from both coasts     NBA: We take a break from our regular scheduled programming to bring you breaking news: a live watch of the 2025 NBA Finals as the Indiana Pacers take on the first seed Oklahoma City Thunder. We witness history as a franchise will win their first ever NBA championship.🎶 Want to follow along with us?       Follow along with our run-through of the History of Hip HopCheck out our Spotify playlists:History of Hip Hop 1990-1994 Today in Hip Hop 2025📬 Got feedback or homework suggestions?We’d love to hear from you! Hit us up at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club. This week we touch base after our one-month absence and catch up on football, basketball, and other going’s on. Strap in for a long one as we do our deepest dive into Hip-Hop yet as we thoroughly discuss Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 Pulitzer Prize winning album, DAMN..Follow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists Historyof Hip Hop 1990-1994 and Today in Hip Hop 2025. At our next meeting, we have a double-header as we take a look at Wu-Tang Clan’s classic 1993 debut, Enterthe Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) and compare that to their latest collaboration with producer Mathematics, the 2025 Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman.Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. This week we’re back with the NBA as we watch the Golden State Warriors take on the Toronto Raptors in their first ever finals appearance in the 2019 NBA Finals.If you have any suggestions on what we should listen to next, or just some general feedback for us, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to a special meeting of Book Club. Come along with us as we celebrate the 1 year anniversary of our first episode.This week we take a look at the Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals before the 2018 NBA Finals as we finish our 4-part series featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James as he tries to take down Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant. In Hip Hop, we talk KRS-One and his first solo studio album Return of the Boom Bap, as well as Mac Miller’s second posthumous album, Balloonerism.At the next meeting, we go all the way back and visit Slick Rick and his 1988 debut, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick.In modern Hip Hop, we do a deep dive into one of the most celebrated Rap albums of all time; Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize winning Damn. We’ll be experimenting with the order in which we listen to these tracks to see how that affects the narrative. Listen along with the Spotify Playlists below:The Heart Part 4 - PrologueDAMN. – Normal orderNMAD. – Reverse orderSALVATION. – WeaknessDAMNATION. – WickednessIf you have any feedback or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club. This week we continue our 4-part series featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, and Kevin Love coming up against the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green; enter Kevin Durant. In Hip Hop, we talk Cypress Hill and their 1993 stoner anthem, Black Sunday, as well as Drake and PartyNextDoor’s 2025 Valentine’s Day collaboration, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.Follow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists History of Hip Hop 1990s and Today in Hip Hop 2024. At the next meeting, we discuss KRS One’s 1993 Classic, Return of the Boom Bap and in Today in Hip Hop, we’re listening to Mac Miller and his second posthumous album, Balloonerism.Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the last of four consecutive meetings between the Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2018 NBA Finals.If you have any feedback or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of BookClub. This week we talk the greatest NBA season of all time as we continue our 4-part series with the first rematch between the Golden State Warriors and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Andre Iguodala against the Cleveland Cavaliers and LeBron James and Kyrie Irving. Join us for a special edition of Hip Hop for the first annual Book Club Grammys. We break down our shortlist for Album of the Year and discuss and rank each album. And the nominees are ...The Auditorium Vol. 1 - Common, Pete RockKing of the Mischievous South 2 – Denzel CurryAlligator Bites Never Heal – DoechiiYou Only Die 1nce – Freddie GibbsWe Don’t Trust You – Future, Metro BoominMight Delete Later – J. ColePlease Don’t Cry – RapsodyBlue Lips – Schoolboy QDark Times – Vince StaplesFollow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists History of Hip Hop 1990s and Today in Hip Hop 2024. At the next meeting, we discuss Cypress Hill’s 1993 Black Sunday and in Today in Hip Hop, we take a look at Drake’s 2025 Valentine’s Day album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, featuring PartyNextDoor.Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the third straight meeting between the ⁠Golden State Warriors and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals.If you have any feedback or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club. This week, we kick off the first of four series as Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, and the Golden State Warriors match-up against LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and the Cleveland Cavaliers. We round out sports by discussing Luka Dončić's surprise move to the Los Angeles Lakers and Marcus Rashford's loan to Aston Villa. In Hip Hop, we run it back to 2Pac with his 2nd studio album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and in Today in Hip Hop, we take on Redman’s marathon 2024 sequel, Muddy Waters Too. Join us next meeting for the 1st Annual Book Club Grammy’s. Find our shortlist for Rap Album of the Year below: The Auditorium Vol. 1 – Common, Pete Rock Blue Lips – Schoolboy Q Dark Times – Vince Staples Alligator Bites Never Heal – Doechii You Only Die 1nce – Freddie Gibbs Might Delete Later – J. Cole We Don’t Trust You – Future, Metro Boomin Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the second of four series, the ⁠2016 Finals featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. If you have any feedback or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club. This week, we witness the end of an era as LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh suit up for the last time for the Miami Heat in a rematch against Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard, and the San Antonio Spurs. In Hip Hop, we discuss the passage of time by comparing Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg's 1992 The Chronic and the pair's 2024 collaboration Missionary. Follow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists History of Hip Hop 1990s and Today in Hip Hop 2024. At the next meeting, we discuss 2 Pac's 1993 Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z and Redman's marathon 2024 album Muddy Waters Too. Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the ⁠2015 Finals featuring the Golden State Warriors and The Cleveland Cavaliers, the first of four straight meetings between the teams. If you have any feedback or comments, we’d love to hear from you. You can write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club. This week we take a break from the books and stroll down memory lane as we recap 2024. Join us as we talk Spotify Wrapped, 2024 highlights and discuss some of the games that happened over Christmas. Follow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists History of Hip Hop 1990s and Today in Hip Hop 2024. At the next meeting, we discuss Dr Dre’s Iconic debut solo album The Chronic as and as a comparison, we’re listening to Snoop Dogg’s 2024 Missionary. Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the ⁠2014 Finals featuring the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. If you have any feedback or comments, write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club. This week we take on the 2013 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. In Hip Hop, we discuss Erik B & Rakim and their fourth and final studio album Don’t Sweat the Technique as well as Ice Cube’s 2024 Man Down. Follow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists History of Hip Hop 1990s and Today in Hip Hop 2024. At the next meeting, we discuss Dr Dre’s Iconic debut solo album The Chronic and as a comparison, we’re listening to Snoop Dogg’s 2024 Missionary. Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the ⁠2014 Finals featuring the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. If you have any feedback or comments, write to us at [email protected]

Welcome to a milestone episode as we make it to the 8th meeting of Book Club. This week we take on the 2012 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat big 3 of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh against Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, James Harden, and the Oklahoma City Thunder. In Hip Hop, we talk 2Pac and his 1991 debut studio album 2Pacalypse Now and we introduce a new segment to Book Club: Today in Hip Hop. To kick off this new era, we cover Kendrick Lamar and his surprise 2024 album, GNX. Follow our run through of the History of Hip Hop. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlists History of Hip Hop 1990s and Today in Hip Hop 2024. At the next meeting, we discuss Erik B & Rakim and their 1992 album Don’t Sweat the Technique as well as Ice Cube’s 2024 Man Down. Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the ⁠2013 Finals featuring the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs. If you have any feedback, comments or recommendations, write to us at [email protected]⁠.

Welcome to another Book Club meeting. This week we tackle the 2011 NBA Finals rematch between Dirk Nowitzki’s Dallas Mavericks against the Miami Heat big 3 of Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh. We also talk Ice Cube and his 1991 classic, Death Certificate. Follow our run through of the History of Rap. You can listen along on with the Spotify playlist A Brief History of Rap 1990s. Next meeting we discuss 2Pac’s 1991 debut solo studio album, 2pacalypse Now. Head to NBA.com to watch the NBA Finals along with us. Next up is the ⁠2012 Finals featuring the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder. If you have any feedback or comments, write to us at [email protected]⁠.

Welcome to another meeting of Book Club as we have a catch-up and casually talk Tyler the Creator’s new album, Chromakopia, as well as the usual hip-hop, football and current events chat. Follow along with our run through of the History of Rap. Next meeting we discuss Ice Cube’s Death Certificate. Head to NBA.com to watch along with the NBA Finals. Next up is the ⁠2011 Finals featuring the Dallas Mavericks⁠ and the Miami Heat. If you have any feedback or comments, write to us at [email protected]⁠.

Welcome to the fifth meeting of Book Club as we pivot to a new format and discuss 2 books Sports and the 2006 NBA Finals featuring Dirk Nowitzski, Shqauille O'Neal, Dwayne Wade, and Pat Riley Music and Rapsody's Please Dont Cry (2024) and as usual, discuss football and Fantasy Premier League.

Welcome to the first in-person meeting of Book Club. This week we discuss the new meeting format and talk about the 2024 NBA Finals match-up between the Jaylen Brown/Jason Tatum/Derrick White Boston Celtics and the Luka Dončić/Kyrie Irving led Dallas Mavericks. We also introduce a new segment to Book Club as we talk Eminem and his 2024 album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce). If you want to follow along with our run through of the History of Rap, find the link to the spreadsheet here: Definitive Rap Albums⁠ Next week we discuss Rapsody’s latest album, Please Don’t Cry. Big shout out to NBA.com who have the NBA Finals to view from 1990-Present. Next week we watch the ⁠2006 Finals featuring the Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks⁠. If you have any feedback or comments, write to us at [email protected]⁠.

Welcome to the second ever Book Club meeting as we discuss this week's Book, the 2000 NBA Finals as the Kobe/Shaq Lakers take on Reggie Miller and the Indiana Pacers. We continue our chat about the growing rap beef, critique J. Cole's album 'Might Delete Later', listen to Drake's leaked diss track 'Drop and Give Me 50', and wish Rob McElheney a very Happy Birthday.

Welcome to the first meeting of Book Club. Today's book is the 1991 NBA Finals featuring Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls vs. Magic Johnson and the LA Lakers. We side track ourselves by discussing Kendrick Lamar's new verse on 'Like That' and the Civil War brewing with Drake and J. Cole, the football international break, the Premier League and Lil Dicky's latest album, 'Penith'.